Believe it or not but Ferrari is celebrating 50 golden years in the Land of the Rising Sun. To mark this auspicious occasion, Ferrari Japan is rolling out an ultra-exclusive model that brings together the past and future: the Ferrari J50.
The J50, based on the Ferrari 488 Spider, harks back to the 1970s and 1980s when the Ferrari Targa top was all the rage. The unique iteration is designed by no less than the Ferrari Styling Center in Maranello and engineered by Ferrari Special Projects. These alone hint at how truly special the car is.
While the car traces its roots to the roadsters of the past, the design cues are all new and even futuristic. The low slung stance features an interplay of lines, shapes, and curves that all come together in harmonious detail. Notable touches are the “helmet visor” seen on the window graphic that takes its cue from the Italian supercar makers very own open competition racers, the F40- and F50-inspired black dividing line, and the barchetta vibe that this car radiates.
Being a Ferrari, it is almost natural that technology plays a part in styling this precision driving machine. For one, the radiators are moved closer together, while the front bumper has ben revised significantly. These essentially aid in better aerodynamics. And of course, the centerpiece—the engine--is framed by a polycarbonate cover that doesn’t just look good but also helps cut down on weight. And as for that Targa top, the hard cover stows neatly behind the two-seater cabin.
The Ferrari J50 is powered by a special version of the 3.9-liter V8, this time producing 690hp. And with a limited run of just 10 examples, the Ferrari J50 was unveiled at the brand’s 50th anniversary celebration held at the National art Center in Tokyo.
