Supercars are typically designed for a single driver, with limited focus on accommodating additional passengers. However, some automakers have ventured into creating vehicles with a third seat, such as the McLaren F1 and Speedtail, and the Gordon Murray T.50, which feature a unique 1+2 cabin layout. Ferrari, on the other hand, initially aimed to prioritize the driver experience with the F80, planning an interior that revolved solely around the driver.
Speaking to Top Gear magazine, Ferrari's design chief revealed that the F80 was originally envisioned as a single-seater. The goal was to achieve "really extreme proportions" by adopting an ultra-narrow cabin. Despite this initial concept, the final version of the V-6 hybrid flagship included a passenger seat. Flavio Manzoni explained that Ferrari managed to create an interior that felt like a single-seater while still accommodating a passenger. Press images even suggest that Ferrari tried to make the passenger seat less conspicuous by blending it with the rest of the cabin.
The passenger seat, fixed in place to save weight, is positioned slightly behind the driver's seat. This design choice helped to narrow the cabin without compromising ergonomics and comfort. A smaller cabin without a passenger seat would have allowed Ferrari to reduce weight further, but the engineers still managed to keep the weight down by using extensive carbon fiber. The F80 weighs 3,362 pounds (1,525 kilograms) before adding fluids.
Despite being sold out, the F80 would not have been Ferrari's first single-seater if the original plan had been followed. In 2018, the Monza SP1 was introduced as a single-seater, with a Monza SP2 variant allowing for a second passenger. Last year, the 499P Modificata was launched as a track-only vehicle with just the driver's seat. Most Ferraris have featured two or four seats, but there was a notable exception in 1966 with the three-seater 365 P Berlinetta Speciale, designed by Sergio Pininfarina.
With Ferrari's Icona series dedicated to ultra-exclusive cars like the Monza SP1, it wouldn't be surprising to see more limited-run models with unconventional seating layouts. It's intriguing to think that wealthy enthusiasts might have offered Ferrari substantial sums to build a real version of the Vision Gran Turismo, a futuristic single-seater designed for the racing game. While we may not know the full extent of such offers, it's clear that Ferrari continues to push the boundaries of automotive design.
Source link: https://www.motor1.com
