Ferrari F40 Reborn in Icona Lineup

There are millions of different models from the most famous manufacturers in the world. And only a few of them, after some time, can be given the odious prefix - legends. True, there are several cases in history when such an epithet was given to a car that had barely left the factory conveyor.


One of the most iconic cars in this close circle can safely be considered the Ferrari F40. In the late 80s, boys from different countries of the world kept photos of this standard of speed and elegance next to their beds, dreaming of one day being in the place of its pilot. Well, or at least seeing this work of automobile art with their own eyes.


The process that could be called "Ferrarimania" began on July 21, 1987. It was then, in the middle of summer, that the Italian company decided to celebrate its 40th anniversary in a special way. The inspiration for the process was the then still alive founder of the brand, 89-year-old Enzo Ferrari. Ironically, one of the most successful models turned out to be his farewell gift to humanity. Here is what Enzo said at the presentation:



This is exactly how the legendary Ferrari F40 was presented. At least, this is what our authoritative colleagues from Automotive History claim. Despite the obvious minimalism of the equipment, the car became what experts in the future would call nothing less than a “real Ferrari”.

Minimum equipment and maximum performance

From the first glance, the sports car attracted close attention and made every connoisseur of this style fall in love with it. But in addition to its stunning appearance, it also offered mind-blowing characteristics for the late 80s. And all this, despite the absence of the following in its equipment:

✅ electric windows
✅ radio
✅ electrically adjustable seats
✅ cup holders and much more

So the initial task, to create a model that is “very fast, extremely sporty and no less Spartan”, was fully accomplished. The Ferrari F40 often did not offer even basic amenities in the cabin. For example, ordinary ropes served as door handles. And ordinary things like floor mats were out of the question.

But the creators managed to achieve other super-indicators. For example, the model became the first serial model to receive a body made of the most lightweight carbon fiber. The body made in this way not only strengthened the structure, but also significantly lightened it. Which, in turn, brought excellent results:

✅ vehicle weight – 1,1 t
✅ acceleration to the first “hundred” – in 4,1 seconds
✅ maximum speed - 324 km / h

It is worth noting right away that such astonishing figures were nothing more than factory specifications. Subsequent tests conducted by specialized journalists yielded slightly different figures. But still, no one dared to question the cult status of this car.

I think, as well as the fact that the mind-blowing data would have remained just a dream, if the creators had not found a power unit to match the masterpiece of elegance and speed. Yes, this engine is still considered by many today to be a mega-successful legend, offering the following indicators:

✅ brand – 2.9 Twin-Turbo V8 from 288 GTO
✅ working volume - 2,9 liters
✅ large turbos and intercooler
✅ maximum power – 471 hp/350 kW
✅ peak torque – 577 Nm at 4000 rpm

Yes, the twin-turbocharged V200 engine fed two turbochargers. The car's astonishing performance led to it becoming the first production model to break the incredible 80 mph barrier. It even surpassed another legend of the late 959s, the Porsche 5 supersport. The Italian dream received a 0,34-speed gearbox, rear-wheel drive and an excellent aerodynamic drag of XNUMX.


It offered a mind-blowing (and for some, even terrifying) driving experience thanks to solid power multiplied by very low weight. The lightweight construction also contributed to the sports car’s incredible maneuverability and precision in corners. Some experts immediately dubbed it a real, rough, thoroughbred and businesslike Ferrari.

Behind the advanced appearance of the body were the names of designers Leonardo Fioravanti and Pietro Camardella, who worked under the banner of the Pininfarina studio. To increase rigidity and simultaneously reduce the weight of the structure, the engineers had to use a combination of the following materials:

✅ carbon
✅ Kevlar
✅ aluminum alloys

Spartan minimalism even led to the fact that the first 50 samples did not have a function to lower the windows. Fortunately, the cabin still had a simple air conditioner. Despite such moments, even today the Ferrari F40 can confidently be called an exciting car, which is also considered interesting in terms of investment.

The manufacturer's initial plans to assemble only 450 units of this series had to be urgently adjusted towards a noticeable increase. So the car stood on the conveyor for about five years (from 1987 to 1992) and provided a circulation of 1311 units.


And even then, demand exceeded supply, since only about 213 units were supposed to reach America. It is not surprising that today they ask more than one and a half million dollars for a sample in good condition. And there is no doubt that a real buyer will be found quite quickly.

The excellent characteristics of the car prompted the creators to launch a special racing version of the F40 LM. It already offered 598 hp (440 kW) at 7000 rpm. And the top version Competizione, derived from it, had a peak power of a fantastic 700 hp (515 kW) at 8100 rpm. This car also had an increased maximum speed, reaching 367 km/h.

Popularity brought to Icona

And today, the popularity of the Ferrari F40 remains very high. This led to the manufacturer confirming the development of a custom version based on it several years ago. Then Lego built a life-size F40.



The entire lineup is designed to pay homage to the company's heritage and rich history, while also reimagining the design in a classic vein. It's likely to retain elements of the original, such as the square nose, short wheelbase and signature large carbon fiber rear wing.


In the interior, it is important to preserve the original minimalist interior. It may not be completely Spartan, but there will be a clear emphasis on driving and the sportiness of the model. Of course, changes will affect such things as the installation of an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Under the hood, we may well see a non-hybrid 4,0-liter 786-horsepower twin-turbo V8 SF90 XX. Although there is a possibility of increasing its power to 800 "horses". This may also be the farewell tour of this power unit.

Considering the fact that we are dealing with a limited edition Icona, the circulation is unlikely to exceed several hundred copies. And loyal customers will try to quickly dismantle them, despite the impressive price. The latter, by the way, will be slightly higher than 1,6 billion dollars.


To sum it up, it is worth noting that this area is very marginal for the Italian company. The price of any limited edition model exceeds one million euros, and their development is not a very labor-intensive process. After all, cars are created on the basis of a mass chassis. So, I think we will see not only the Ferrari F40 from Icona, but also other legendary replicas, which are still enjoying increased attention and demand today.