Automotive

Ferrari celebrates a lifetime of beautiful design with the Sergio convertible

Ferrari celebrates a lifetime of beautiful design with the Sergio convertible
The all-new Sergio departs from its base 458 Spider in the two-tone body, hood-wrapping headlights and custom wheels
The all-new Sergio departs from its base 458 Spider in the two-tone body, hood-wrapping headlights and custom wheels
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The first Sergio has black leather upholstery with contrast red stitching
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The first Sergio has black leather upholstery with contrast red stitching
The rear fascia has been restyled from the base 458 Spider
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The rear fascia has been restyled from the base 458 Spider
The black flank inserts are a distinguishing style point of the Sergio design
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The black flank inserts are a distinguishing style point of the Sergio design
The all-new Sergio departs from its base 458 Spider in the two-tone body, hood-wrapping headlights and custom wheels
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The all-new Sergio departs from its base 458 Spider in the two-tone body, hood-wrapping headlights and custom wheels
The roll bar of the Sergio concept surges forward in dramatic fashion
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The roll bar of the Sergio concept surges forward in dramatic fashion
The 2013 Sergio concept flaunts a little extra flair with its angled doors
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The 2013 Sergio concept flaunts a little extra flair with its angled doors
A look inside the Sergio concept
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A look inside the Sergio concept
The Pininfarina Sergio debuted at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show
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The Pininfarina Sergio debuted at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show
The 2013 Sergio concept was powered by the standard 458's 562-hp 4.5-liter V8
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The 2013 Sergio concept was powered by the standard 458's 562-hp 4.5-liter V8
The Sergio concept has a larger hole-punched deck
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The Sergio concept has a larger hole-punched deck
The original concept car used its contrast inserts as air intakes
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The original concept car used its contrast inserts as air intakes
2013 Pininfarina Sergio concept
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2013 Pininfarina Sergio concept
The rolling fenders of the Sergio concept create a depressed hood
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The rolling fenders of the Sergio concept create a depressed hood
2013 Pininfarina Sergio concept
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2013 Pininfarina Sergio concept
2013 Pininfarina Sergio concept
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2013 Pininfarina Sergio concept
The 2013 Sergio driver would have to protect his eyes and face with a helmet
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The 2013 Sergio driver would have to protect his eyes and face with a helmet
2013 Pininfarina Sergio concept
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2013 Pininfarina Sergio concept
Shown here at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012, this 1952 212 Inter Cabriolet was the second Ferrari car by Pininfarina
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Shown here at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012, this 1952 212 Inter Cabriolet was the second Ferrari car by Pininfarina
A partnership like no other
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A partnership like no other
Ferrari and Pininfarina
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Ferrari and Pininfarina
Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
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Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
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Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
Pininfarina badge on a Ferrari
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Pininfarina badge on a Ferrari
Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale
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Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale
The "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" exhibition helped drive record numbers of visitors to the Maranello museum
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The "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" exhibition helped drive record numbers of visitors to the Maranello museum
The V12-powered 1969 Ferrari Sigma Grand Prix car highlighted innovative F1 safety features
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The V12-powered 1969 Ferrari Sigma Grand Prix car highlighted innovative F1 safety features
Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
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Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
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Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
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Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
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Ferrari hosts the "Great Ferraris of Sergio Pininfarina" at the Ferrari Museum in 2012-2013
In the heyday of the ultra-low wedge concept car, Pininfarina introduced the Modulo concept at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show; later that year, Bertone dropped the famous Lancia Stratos HF Zero
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In the heyday of the ultra-low wedge concept car, Pininfarina introduced the Modulo concept at the 1970 Geneva Motor Show; later that year, Bertone dropped the famous Lancia Stratos HF Zero
The 250 GTE was the first full-production Ferrari 2+2; shown here is a 1961 model sold at the Historics at Brooklands sale in 2011
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The 250 GTE was the first full-production Ferrari 2+2; shown here is a 1961 model sold at the Historics at Brooklands sale in 2011
This right-hand-drive 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB4/ Daytona was put up for sale at the Historics at Brooklands sale in 2011
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This right-hand-drive 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB4/ Daytona was put up for sale at the Historics at Brooklands sale in 2011
1965 Ferrari 330 GT Series II from Historics at Brooklands sale in 2011
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1965 Ferrari 330 GT Series II from Historics at Brooklands sale in 2011
Gathering of Ferrari F40s
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Gathering of Ferrari F40s
One of many highlights of Pininfarina's work for Ferrari, the F40 was a shockingly high-tech car for its time
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One of many highlights of Pininfarina's work for Ferrari, the F40 was a shockingly high-tech car for its time
The F40 was the last car commissioned by Enzo Ferrari, company founder
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The F40 was the last car commissioned by Enzo Ferrari, company founder
The 1963 Ferrari 250 GT 'Lusso' is considered by many to be among Pininfarina's most beautiful Ferrari designs, a sentiment that Sergio's own thoughts support
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The 1963 Ferrari 250 GT 'Lusso' is considered by many to be among Pininfarina's most beautiful Ferrari designs, a sentiment that Sergio's own thoughts support
The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Series II Coupe was sold at the inaugural Salon Privé Sale earlier this year
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The 1960 Ferrari 250 GT Pininfarina Series II Coupe was sold at the inaugural Salon Privé Sale earlier this year
One-off Pininfarina 360 Barchetta
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One-off Pininfarina 360 Barchetta
Ferrari Enzo
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Ferrari Enzo
The Le Mans-winning Ferrari 250 LM
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The Le Mans-winning Ferrari 250 LM
Ferrari 275
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Ferrari 275
Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale
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Ferrari 330 GTC Speciale
Ferrari Dino 206 GT
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Ferrari Dino 206 GT
1968 Ferrari P6 prototype
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1968 Ferrari P6 prototype
Ferrari Sigma show car
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Ferrari Sigma show car
Ferrari Daytona Spider
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Ferrari Daytona Spider
The one-off Pinin, Ferrari's only experiment with four doors
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The one-off Pinin, Ferrari's only experiment with four doors
Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta
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Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta
Ferrari 550 Barchetta
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Ferrari 550 Barchetta
Ferrari honored Sergio Pininfarina with a grand exhibition of his cars in 2012/13
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Ferrari honored Sergio Pininfarina with a grand exhibition of his cars in 2012/13
The 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet Pininfarina sold for US$3.8 million at RM Auctions’ inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco in 2010 in 2010
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The 1962 Ferrari 400 Superamerica Cabriolet Pininfarina sold for US$3.8 million at RM Auctions’ inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco in 2010 in 2010
2006 Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina pictured at The Quail 2013 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/gizmag.com)
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2006 Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina pictured at The Quail 2013 (Photo: Angus MacKenzie/gizmag.com)
The Ferrari Sergio shares its engine with the 458 Speciale A revealed at the 2014 Paris Motor Show (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The Ferrari Sergio shares its engine with the 458 Speciale A revealed at the 2014 Paris Motor Show (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
The Brocket 'rocket', a 1969 Ferrari 365GT 2+2 sold at Brooklands Summer Sale 2011
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The Brocket 'rocket', a 1969 Ferrari 365GT 2+2 sold at Brooklands Summer Sale 2011
The Brocket 'rocket', a 1969 Ferrari 365GT 2+2 sold at Brooklands Summer Sale 2011
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The Brocket 'rocket', a 1969 Ferrari 365GT 2+2 sold at Brooklands Summer Sale 2011
The Ferrari 458 Speciale at the 2014 Paris Motor Show (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The Ferrari 458 Speciale at the 2014 Paris Motor Show (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
The Ferrari 458 Speciale at the 2014 Paris Motor Show (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
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The Ferrari 458 Speciale at the 2014 Paris Motor Show (Photo: C.C. Weiss/Gizmag)
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
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Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
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Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
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Ferrari F12 Berlinetta revealed at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
View gallery - 62 images

The all-new Ferrari Sergio celebrates more than 60 years of collaboration between the Prancing Horse and Pininfarina, the Italian design house that has styled the majority of Ferrari's legendary road cars. While not nearly as visually radical as the original Pininfarina Sergio concept presented at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the 458-based limited-edition Sergio production car has a distinct look and cranked up performance.

Pininfarina and Ferrari: A team-up like no other

Ferrari and Pininfarina
Ferrari and Pininfarina

"Ferrari and Pinin? It won’t last. It’s like putting two Prima Donna in the same opera," Pininfarina describes the general consensus in the auto world at the time it began collaborating with Ferrari in 1951. It's a picture of skepticism so pointed that it could be termed derision.

Harsh, maybe, but not ungrounded. The pride of the Ferrari patriarch, overseeing his four-year-old road car operation, and that of his counterpart at the two-decade-old coach building and design house of Turin almost ended the relationship before it had begun. Enzo Ferrari invited Battista "Pinin" Farina (he later had his name legally changed to Pininfarina) to Modena for a meeting, and while Farina was interested, he believed Ferrari should make the trip to Turin. They were at an impasse until Farina's son Sergio suggested a compromise: a meeting in the neutral ground between the two Italian cities. Enzo and Battista agreed, and the two hammered out the details of a working agreement in a restaurant in Tortona.

"From now on you’ll be looking after Ferrari, from A to Z," Sergio recalled Battista telling him on the ride home from Tortona, as documented by RM Auctions. "Design, engineering, technology, construction—the lot!"

"I was over the moon with happiness," Sergio recalled.

Shown here at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012, this 1952 212 Inter Cabriolet was the second Ferrari car by Pininfarina
Shown here at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este 2012, this 1952 212 Inter Cabriolet was the second Ferrari car by Pininfarina

The relationship first came to life in the form of the Ferrari 212 Inter Cabriolet, chassis 0177E, and the futures of both names were wound together like strands of copper wire. They made history together, again and again, and neither company would be the same today without the other. The partnership far outlasted those dour early predictions, and its six-decade-and-counting run has introduced many of the most desirable cars of all time.

In fact, Pininfarina has designed nearly every Ferrari road car since the 1950s, with a few rare exceptions like the in house-designed LaFerrari. The lion's share of those greats were designed during Sergio Pininfarina's long-running time at the helm of the Ferrari account and the design house at large. Sergio took over as chairman after his father's death in 1966 and served until 2006, when he stepped down and took the title of honorary chairman.

"Ferrari made them fast. Pininfarina made them beautiful," Motor Trend wrote in a retrospective look at Sergio Pininfarina's life and career, after his passing in 2012.

Pininfarina lays the groundwork with edgy Sergio concept

Given Sergio's unparalleled resume of designing the world's most beautiful Ferraris, it's no surprise that Pininfarina immortalized him a year after his death with a special car bearing his first name. The Pininfarina Sergio design team took inspiration from Sergio's grand history, particularly his design work of the 60s and 70s, then whipped it into an edgy, futuristic interpretation of a Ferrari barchetta. The concept caught the world's attention with a variety of wildly sexy elements, including a windshield-less cockpit, sharply angled roll bar, projectile like front end and sunken hood.

The Pininfarina Sergio debuted at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show
The Pininfarina Sergio debuted at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show

Earlier rumors suggested that Pininfarina might build a handful of very slightly redesigned, 458-based Sergio concepts for well-heeled and connected buyers. Instead, it was Ferrari that pursued production of half a dozen thoroughly modified Sergios. On the downside, the design lost much of its unique edge in the journey from design house show car to Maranello-built special edition. On the bright side, it's still pretty damn cool and now packs a little extra performance.

Ferrari presents its Sergio

Last week, the first of six planned Sergios was delivered to its new owner, the SBH Royal Auto Gallery at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit. The delivery of the car coincided with the staging of the Finali Mondiali Ferrari races. As is so often the case when a car makes the move from concept to production, the Sergio has lost a lot of its original edginess, though it's still a Pininfarina design through and through. It's gained a windshield, been fitted to more traditional 458 Spider form, and lost many of the dramatic angles and curves of the 2013 show car.

The black flank inserts are a distinguishing style point of the Sergio design
The black flank inserts are a distinguishing style point of the Sergio design

That's not to say that the production Sergio has lost all visual connection to the concept, though. It's a bit less pronounced than on the concept, but there's still a feeling of the rear quarter pushing the front forward, strengthened by the contrast inserts that drop down from the roll bar and underline the sides. The C pillars are angled more sharply forward than on the standard 458 Spider, adding to the feel of the muscular rear powering the car full-steam ahead. The black lower edging leaps the front wheels and blends into the strong front spoiler.

Another element of the production car heavily influenced by the 2013 concept is the swooping, single piece headlight treatment. Both designs have similar wheels, but the custom gold forged wheels on the production car pop even more than those on the concept. Other 2014 Sergio styling points of note include the two-tone hood, restyled rear fascia and Pininfarina-signature circular air vents on the rear deck.

While the Sergio keeps the 458's "technological content as well as all of the functional aspects of its cockpit," it gets a marked engine upgrade to the Speciale A's 597-hp 4.5-liter V8. That means the Pininfarina-based special edition scoots to 62 mph (100 km/h) in a flat three seconds, four-tenths of a second faster than the 562-hp 458 Spider (and Sergio concept car estimate).

Inside, the Sergio cockpit, which was outfitted to the specifications of its buyer by Ferrari's Tailor Made program, is dressed in its Sunday best: a fine three-piece suit of black leather upholstery stitched in red, Alcantara seat inserts, and heaps of carbon fiber trim.

One Sergio down, five to go...

You can compare the Sergio concept car to the Ferrari Sergio special edition in our gallery. In the spirit of the Pininfarina-Ferrari celebration, we've also included photos of some of the greatest Pininfarina-penned production and concept Ferraris from the past 60 years.

Source: Ferrari

View gallery - 62 images
2 comments
2 comments
Richard Auchus
The original concept was a beaut.
This... this is a 458 with Dodge Dart headlights and cheesy gold rims. Oh and a sideblade. Its a dolled up 458. And it doesn't even look good, its just... lazy.
Very disappointed with Ferrari on this one.
Bob
I like the body style but I hate the red tu-toned with primer grey. It looks like they didn't finish painting it.