On the occasion of the 2014 Finali Mondiali, Ferrari revealed that the first production ‘Sergio’ had been delivered to its owner.

The Sergio, you’ll remember, is Ferrari’s tribute to its ongoing relationship with Pininfarina, which this year celebrates 60 years of partnership. As such, there was only going to ever be one name for the car that marks this anniversary: Pininfarina founder, Sergio.

(Click HERE to read about the story behind the Sergio)

So, underneath it’s all 458 Spider, retaining that wonderful car’s ‘technological content’ and all the ‘functional aspects of its cockpit’. And that technological content bit is interesting, too, because the Sergio gets the Speciale A’s 4.5-litre V8, which produces 605bhp (35bhp more than the ‘standard’ 458 Spider).

Which means it’ll accelerate from 0-100km/h in just three seconds, versus 3.4s for the standard Spider. And be in no doubt, the Speciale A is indeed a wonderful thing, so much so we gave it an award.

But it’s in the body that the Sergio really gets some traction. Inspiration is derived from the 60s and 70s Pininfarina cars, “a marriage of function an aesthetics”, says Ferrari.

The roll-bar, we’re told, is a modern interpretation of Ferrari’s flying buttress, while the rear nolder and extractor help generate that all important downforce. It also looks bloody excellent, too. Up front, the headlights have been joined up as a single element, while the rear gets ‘classic’ Ferrari circular lights.

Then there’s the two-tone body and circular air vents, while inside, the cockpit features black leather, contrast red stitching, Alcantara seat inserts and carbon across the dash and trim. The wheels are ‘Sergio-specific’ forged alloys, here resplendent in goooold.

“The result is an exceptionally sculptural, three-dimensional take on the classic roadster,” says Ferrari. It’s also a good looking car with a powertrain that we suspect will make your ears melt quite significantly.

STORY Vijay Pattni