Ferrari Unveils The J50 And You Can’t Have One

Only 10 units will ever be made

Just take a few seconds to look at the car above. Jaw-dropping, isn’t it? Well, you can’t have one. Sorry. This is the J50, Ferrari’s year-end surprise to the world and it takes exclusivity to a new level. Only 10 units of the supercar will be made and the model has been built to celebrate 50 years of Ferrari’s presence in Japan (hence the name J50).

The special edition is based on the Ferrari 488 Spider and gets the same 3.9-litre V8, in a higher, 690PS state of tune. It’s a two-seater, mid-rear engined roadster that swaps the folding convertible roof for the Targa body style. The bodywork is all-new and while it does make the J50 look futuristic, there’s some aerodynamic wizardry to it as well.

Two carbon fibre air channels at the bonnet add a healthy dose of aggression, while the tall headlamps of the 488 have been replaced by two horizontal LED slits. The radiators have been positioned closer together as well.

The sloping windshield blends seamlessly into the frameless windows to form a helmet visor effect around the cabin, and thanks to the lowered windscreen header rail, there’s more air flowing over the aero foil and the rear spoiler. 

At the back, the engine is showcased in a transparent polycarbonate cover, while the quad tail lights are reminiscent of the F430. The rear diffuser is said to feature an “extractor shape inspired by jet engine afterburners”, though the official images haven’t exactly highlighted this bit. The dual exhaust pipes also feature some gun barrel detailing and the J50 gets uniquely styled 20-inch wheels too.

The cabin’s quite familiar in its layout and apart from featuring sports seats, it includes the carbon-fibre Targa hard top, which is divided into two pieces and can be stowed behind the seats.

Developed by Ferrari’s Special Projects division and designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre in Maranello, each car will be custom suited to the buyer’s demands. No official price has been announced, but we’re sure the brand’s elite loyalists in Japan have already lined up.

How much do you think the J50 costs?