Eric Clapton's custom Ferrari SP12 EC is officially official

Not everyone can afford a Ferrari and even rare is a chance to have a customized Ferrari model built from scratch. But when you are Eric Clapton, you certainly can have Ferrari build a car for you as per your liking. Ferrari SP12 EC is Eric Clapton's Ferrari inspired from the 512 BB model and having the Italian manufacturer's 458 Italia model as its reference. The English guitarist and singer has been a Ferrari loyalist over the years. His liking for the 512 BB model can only be judged from the fact that he has had three models of the car which was first rolled out by Ferrari in 1976.

Ferrari SP12 EC

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Ferrari SP12 EC

Ferrari SP12 EC: An Italian stallion designed for Eric Clapton

Ferrari 512 BB had a 5 L F-12 engine against the V configuration of cylinders in engines nowadays. Ferrari 458 Italia is a new model. The design and implementation of SP12 EC presented a challenge because it required the amalgamation of the retro feel of a 1970's Ferrari with the efficiency and power of engines designed for cars in the new millennium. Ferrari 512 BB produced 360 hp at 7000 rpm in power with an accompanying torque of 451 Nm at 4600 rpm. Accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in Ferrari 512 BB took 5.4 seconds. The numbers are certainly better for the new age Ferrari 458 Italia. It has a 4.5 L V8 engine which produces 562 hp in power at 9000 rpm along with a torque of 540 Nm @ 6000 rpm. It zips to 100 kmph in 3.4 seconds.

To design the customized Ferrari, the 458 Italia was given a feel of the 1970's Ferrari 512 BB. This required a change in the headlight layout from a curvy setting to a more straightened one. The customized SP12 EC has a front hood vent along with gray lower body panels. The aerodynamic grille of the 458 Italia has given way to an eggcrate design.

Via: FerrariMagazine / Digitaltrends