The Ferraris that most people read about or see on the roads are the ones that the company makes in ‘large’ numbers. However, there are also many cars which are not publicised – and we’re not talking about the prototypes that are going to be future models. Ferrari, like other high-end niche carmakers, also offers extensive customisation services to its customers who want unique and exclusive models.
The Omologata (unusual name but actually means ‘homologation’ in Italian) is one such car and the project was commissioned by a customer in Europe. Representative of Ferrari’s line of unique one-off models, it took a little over 2 years to complete.
The initial presentation of sketches started with images that covered a variety of inspirations, from racing heritage to sci-fi and references to modern architecture. The idea from the onset was to create a futuristic design with distinctive elements reinterpreted in a fresh manner to provide potential for a timeless shape that is certain to leave a lasting impression.
812 Superfast as the basis
To achieve this, the designers used the underlying package of the 812 Superfast, keeping only the windscreen and headlights as existing bodywork elements. The objective was to exploit the proportions of the mid-front layout to deliver a very sleek design defined by smooth volumes and undulating reflections. The trickiest aspect was striking the ideal balance between expressiveness and restraint, projecting street presence whilst maintaining a very pure formal language.
A tapering front volume defines the flattened oval grille, with the rounded section over the front wheelarches emphasized by a contrasting stripe wrapping across the bonnet. Rearwards of the door, the flank develops into a very potent rear muscle that neatly blends upwards into the three-quarter panel.
The entire volume is rendered deliberately imposing through the elimination of the rear quarter light, while three horizontal transversal cuts in the fastback volume visually lower the rear mass. The tail is surmounted by a prominent spoiler which adds not only downforce, but a more aggressive, sporty stance.
Making it road-legal
Meeting every safety requirement to ensure a Ferrari is road-legal is always a huge challenge for the design team, more so when starting from an existing platform. And ‘Omologata’ was indeed a keyword that resonated throughout the development of this, the 10th front-engined V12 one-off Ferrari has delivered since the 2009 P540 Superfast Aperta.
Beyond the clear instructions coming from the customer and down to every detail on the car, the designers effectively took into account countless variables to make this a very exclusive model through and through. The quest for the ultimate touch went as far as developing a new shade of red just for the livery, to match the fiery triple-layer Rosso Magma over a darkened carbonfibre finish.
Link to Ferrari’s racing heritage
Inside the car, numerous trim details suggest a strong link to Ferrari’s rich racing heritage. In fact, the Omologata can be seen as a clear descendent of Ferrari’s great GT tradition spanning 7 decades of history.
The electric blue seats, finished in a combination of leather and Jeans Aunde fabric with 4-point racing harnesses, stand out against a full black interior. In the absence of rear quarter lights and screen, the atmosphere in the cabin is purposeful, reminiscent of a bygone era.
Metal parts on the dashboard and steering wheel are finished with the crackled paint effect associated with the great GT racers of the 1950s and 1960s as well as with Ferrari’s engine cam covers. A hammered paint effect so often used in cars such as the 250 LM and 250 GTO can also be seen on details such as the inner door handles and on the Ferrari F1 bridge.
