Ferrari building six copies of invite-only supercar

Ferrari building six copies of invite-only supercar

CNBC.com - October 27, 2014

Ferrari just got even more exclusive. The Italian luxury automaker is gearing up to start production on its invite-only supercar known as the Ferrari Sergio, and only six people will be able to get their hands on one.

The concept car, unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, was designed in collaboration with Italian firm Pininfarina, and each model is expected to sell for millions, though Ferrari would not disclose an exact price.

But if you wanted to be one of the lucky six, you're too late as Ferrari has already pre-sold all the Sergio cars. Long-standing Ferrari clients are the only ones who got the invites.

 A spokesperson from the automaker told CNBC the final orders are being confirmed and production will start "shortly", with the aim of delivering the final product to clients next year. Ferrari will have to make changes to the design unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in order to comply with road laws so the design is likely to be different from the original concept which had no windshield or mirrors.

Ferrari has made a point of being exclusive by capping the number of vehicles it makes each year to 7,000 and the move has paid off financially. The brand, owned by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA-IT), reported revenues of 1.3 billion euros ($1.65 billion) in the first half of the year, a 14.6 percent rise from the same period in 2013.

The company also has a "one off" program where enthusiasts with deep pockets can design a bespoke car from start to finish and have it made at Ferrari's Maranello headquarters. The Sergio buyers' identities have not been revealed but in the past big names like Eric Clapton have purchased custom made cars.

 The Sergio is based on the Ferrari's 458 Spider mechanical base and technologic components. The doors rise up rather than open outwards and the company said the car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3.4 seconds.

Ferrari has pursued a similar exclusive approach with another car in its range – the LaFerrari supercar . Only 499 are being made, and after its debut at the Geneva Motor Show last year, over 1,000 people had already requested the car. But similar to the Sergio, you don't choose the car, Ferrari chooses you.

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McLaren's P1 And Ferrari's LaFerrari: BATTLE OF THE SUPERCARS!

By Business Insider October 27, 2014 3:55 PM

The McLaren P1 and the Ferrari LaFerrari are two of the superbaddest supercars in the supercar world.

Business Insider checked out the McLaren last year in New York. We're still waiting to get an up-close with the LeFerrari, successor to the Enzo and Ferrari's new flagship supercar.

Both are gorgeous. Both are hybrids. Both cost more than $1 million.

We crunched the numbers — considering power, speed, looks, and more — to find out if one is better.

[And earlier version of this post was written by Alex Davies.]

NAME: The P1 name links the car to McLaren’s legendary F1, the former fastest production car in the world.

NAME: LaFerrari is Italian for “The Ferrari.” In English or Italian, it's a bit confusing.

NAME: McLaren takes this one, easily.

McLaren P1: 1

LaFerrari: 0

HORSEPOWER: The P1 pairs a V-8 engine that delivers 727 hp with an electric motor, yielding a total of 903 hp.

HORSEPOWER: The LaFerrari is also a hybrid, combining a 6.3-liter V-12 engine with two electric motors. Total horsepower: 950.

HORSEPOWER: Ferrari ties it up.

McLaren P1: 1
LaFerrari: 1

TOP SPEED: The McLaren has an electronically limited top speed of 217.5 mph.

TOP SPEED: The Ferrari tops out at 217 mph.

TOP SPEED: Too close to call. We'll given them each a point.

McLaren P1: 2
LaFerrari: 2

ACCELERATION: The P1 goes from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds, and can hit 186 mph in 17.

ACCELERATION: The Ferrari's 0 to 60 mph time is also under 3 seconds, but it reaches the 186 mph mark in just 15 seconds.

ACCELERATION: Ferrari for the win.

McLaren P1: 2
LaFerrari: 3

EXTERIOR: The P1 has some beautiful styling cues, especially the fighter jet bubble windshield and nostril-like air intakes in the hood, which are reminiscent of the swooping McLaren logo.

EXTERIOR: The LaFerrari is also a gorgeous car, with rear view mirrors that look like the stalks on the Pagani Huayra.

EXTERIOR: This is a close (and subjective) call, but we give it to the P1.

McLaren P1: 3
LaFerrari: 3

WITH THE DOORS UP: In a classic pose for any car with scissor or gullwing doors, the P1 cuts an impressive figure.

WITH THE DOORS UP: But this view of the Ferrari gives us shivers.

WITH THE DOORS UP: An easy point for the LaFerrari.

McLaren P1: 3
LaFerrari: 4

INTERIOR: For extraordinarily complex cars, both have impressively simple interiors. The P1 continues the fighter jet theme with a glass canopy overhead. To save weight, there’s no sound deadening, but customers will want to hear all 903 horses.

INTERIOR: The LaFerrari’s interior is similarly minimalistic. We like the unorthodox, three-button (Launch, R, Auto) gear shifter, big shifter paddles, and simple controls. But we dock points for the almost square steering wheel.

INTERIOR: We give this one to the P1.

McLaren P1: 4
LaFerrari: 4

PRICE: McLaren has put the P1 price tag at $1.2 million.

PRICE: The LaFerrari is $1.4 million.

PRICE: Ferrari edges ahead.

McLaren P1: 4
LaFerrari: 5

AVAILABILITY: McLaren will make just 375 P1's.

AVAILABILITY: Ferrari's run is also very limited: Only 499 LaFerrari's will roll off the line.

AVAILABILITY: The fewer the cars in a limited run, the more valuable each one is. McLaren takes the final category.

McLaren P1: 5
LaFerrari: 5

And the winner is...

The LaFerrari is a beautiful car that everyone wants.
But despite being less powerful and a tad slower, McLaren's P1 is the more jaw-dropping of the two — and harder to get.

The McLaren P1 takes this one...and it's a tie at the finish line!

But that's not as far as you can go with the P1...

DON'T MISS: This $3.2 Million McLaren Is So Exclusive That Only 375 People Can Buy One>

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