Arya SP Is Ferrari’s Next “Special Project”

Ferrari collector and petro-chemical magnate Cheerag Arya is about to add to his seven-strong collection of Ferrari cars, with a new 599-based creation: the Arya SP.

Arya is part of the family-run JBF Industries and is CEO of JBF RAK, a joint-venture between JBF and the ruling family of the Ras Al Khaimah emirate.

Like McLaren's Special Operations division, Ferrari's Special Projects team allows those with a sizeable enough bank account to command the design of their own Ferrari around the platform of an existing car.

The March edition of The Official Ferrari Magazine reports that the car has been signed off by its owner after a process that took in twelve design sketches.

"I told the designers what I wanted and they presented me with a total of 12 designs. I then picked the bits from each that I liked until we got an idea of the car I had in mind. A bit like a wish list," Arya said in an interview with the Ferrari magazine.

Since then, a clay model has been approved with the build and development process imminent. The car is expected to be delivered to Arya in early 2013.

Arya's love for the 599 is evident - he already has a 599 GTO and 599XX - and his special edition is based on the former.

Unlike the first McLaren one-off, the SP Arya bears a very clear family resemblance to the donor car and is far less, shall we say, adventurous.

While hardly a parts-bin special, parts from the 599 and the newer F12 have been worked into the new design.

Performance-wise, the special will share the 599 GTO's running gear, adding a tweaked exhaust and revised suspension.

The SP Arya will be the fifth car from Ferrari's Special Projects group. Eric Clapton commissioned the SP12 EC while the SP1, P540 Superfast Aperta and Superamerica 45 are all lurking in garages of a few select super-wealthy.

Watch for Ferrari and Arya to reveal the final creation in the coming months. 

• F12 news and review | Ferrari news and reviews
• Supercar news and review
• 2012 Geneva Motor Show