For decades, the Ferrari F40 has embodied the very essence of supercars: raw, demanding, and completely devoid of electronic aids.
And it has been in the news recently: two Ferrari F40s were crashed in January 2025. Yet, a small Italian company, Officine Fioravanti, has made it their mission to make this icon more accessible without betraying its DNA. With their package called “Alte Prestazioni,” the F40 might just become easier to handle.
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The F40: A dangerous icon
The Ferrari F40 has never been an easy car to drive. Designed in the late ‘80s as a race car homologated for the road, it offers no power steering, no traction control, and no modern ABS. Its 2.9-liter twin-turbo V8 delivers 478 horsepower to the rear wheels only, and with a featherweight of just 2,546 lbs, it’s a true rocket. But this raw power comes at a cost: a tricky weight distribution and pronounced turbo lag that can turn a simple acceleration into a spectacular spin. Recent crashes are proof of this. Between one wrecked near Monaco and another in England, the F40 has shown that it’s not for the faint of heart. Even Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time F1 world champion, chose this model to mark his arrival at Scuderia Ferrari—a testament to its legendary status. But for current owners, keeping their F40 intact while actually enjoying it has become a real challenge.
A restomod designed to improve handling
That’s where Officine Fioravanti comes in. Their approach isn’t to alter the F40’s spirit but to refine it where it matters. They’ve replaced the original suspension with an Öhlins TTX 36 system featuring four-way adjustability, installed new billet-machined suspension arms, and upgraded the bearings. The result: better high-speed stability and more predictable cornering behavior. Braking has also been extensively upgraded. The outdated stock brakes are gone, replaced with carbon-ceramic discs and Brembo calipers—six-piston at the front and four at the rear. A modernized ABS has been added, significantly improving control under heavy braking. That should help prevent owners from turning their precious F40 into scrap metal after an overly ambitious stop.
More accessible, but still a Ferrari beast
The new 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels also mark a significant evolution. Beyond aesthetics, they allow for Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, providing better grip and improved traction. But make no mistake—despite these upgrades, the F40 remains a demanding car. It will never be a comfortable GT, and that’s a good thing! While some purists might see this as a betrayal, Officine Fioravanti presents these modifications as a way to extend the F40’s lifespan. By making it safer and more predictable, they hope to encourage owners to take it out more often instead of letting it collect dust in a garage. The cost of these upgrades hasn’t been disclosed, but with a pristine F40 now fetching over $3 million, it’s safe to assume these modifications are aimed at a wealthy clientele.
This article explores the modifications made by Officine Fioravanti to the Ferrari F40, aiming to make it more stable and accessible without compromising its wild character. Thanks to modern suspension, improved braking, and new wheels, this icon gains safety while preserving its DNA. It remains to be seen whether purists will embrace this more civilized take on one of the most legendary supercars in history.
Images: © Officine Fioravanti