1989 Ferrari Mythos Concept Car

Breaking from tradition, Pininfarina unveiled the 1989 Ferrari Mythos concept car not in Europe, but at the Tokyo auto show in October 1989.

Pininfarina chose the October 1989 Tokyo auto show to reveal what might be its most breathtaking design study yet. Designed for Ferrari, the Mythos reinforced the long-standing partnership between the two brands. This no-top speedster, powered by a mid-rear 12-cylinder engine, was neither a myth nor a fantasy but a tangible creation. However, it remained somewhat detached from reality for some time.

Built on the reliable Testarossa chassis, the Ferrari Mythos concept car was a unique creation, standing in a league of its own. Chief designer Lorenzo Ramaciotti noted that its design could be "tailored to meet the demands of future production vehicles." Sergio Pininfarina, the company's chairman, described it as an "advanced research prototype," showcasing Italian design at the forefront of innovation.

There was little room for doubt. Describing the Ferrari Mythos concept car's design seemed to defy the limits of language. Was it the best? The sleekest? The most stunning? Perhaps. More significantly, the Mythos represented a shift in automotive design philosophy, moving away from the practical, technology-driven focus of recent years and returning to the dreamlike, fundamental essence of form. In essence, it was a revival of design purity.

The Ferrari Mythos concept car, as described by Pininfarina, emphasized the "relationship between volumes," breaking away from conventional "linked panels." Despite being composed of two distinct sections, the designers aimed to blend them into a seamless, unified shape, where one section naturally transitioned into the other.

The primary body, housing the engine and rear-mounted radiators, formed one of the two main sections. The other section included the passenger compartment and the front of the car. Unlike the Testarossa, which used side grilles to downplay the connection between the two sections, the Mythos accentuated this contrast, drawing attention to their intersection.

The 1989 Ferrari Mythos concept car also defied tradition in other innovative ways, as we'll explore on the following page.

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1989 Ferrari Mythos Concept Car Body Design

The body design of the 1989 Ferrari Mythos concept car paid homage to Ferrari's heritage while carving out a unique identity.

The 1989 Ferrari Mythos concept car's design marked the revival of the two-seater "barchetta." Pininfarina characterized it as "compact, sporty, and minimalist." While coupe, targa, and speedster designs were considered, the speedster was chosen for its racing heritage, eliminating the need for a fixed roof or side windows in the design.

A low, elongated windshield sloped sharply, blending seamlessly into the car's aerodynamic front. The wheel arches tightly embraced the tires, sitting close to the ground. Rectangular headlamps, deeply set, barely interrupted the smooth line of the fender from the air dam to the door. A subtle lower lip at the front was mirrored by a gentle bulge running along the lower body, aligned with the sills.

Large air intakes behind the doors channeled airflow to the powerful Boxer engine, devoid of the Testarossa's grillework. The Pininfarina logo and Ferrari emblem were positioned just behind the rear intake, near the back wheel.

The rear of the car widened dramatically yet elegantly, rising above the seats to emphasize the Ferrari Mythos concept car's sharp wedge profile, whether seen from the side or above.

The rear overhang seemed almost imperceptibly short, appearing almost nonexistent and delivering a sharply truncated aesthetic. Two sets of exhaust pipes emerged from the engine vent slit on the rear panel, positioned below the taillight and above the seamless bumper.

Aggressive design elements were prominent, such as the nose shape, the compact windshield, and the squared-off tail, both reminiscent of Group C race cars. The steeply angled edges of the air intake and the raised front wheel arches, a hallmark of Pininfarina-designed Ferraris, further emphasized this boldness.

A windshield glass extension concealed the wiper. Thanks to the seamless integration of the side panels, the large rear wing spoiler blended in more subtly compared to other supercars.

From a top-down perspective, the connection to Formula 1 Ferraris was clear in the double "S" curve, described as resembling "the graceful curves of a violin." While a standard Testarossa was wider at the rear, the Ferrari Mythos concept car extended this difference by five inches, making the rear 8.2 inches broader than the front. This design made the large rear air intakes visible even from the front. The rear overhang was reduced to just 25 inches, shorter than the Testarossa's.

The 1989 Ferrari Mythos concept car broke new ground not only in its body design but also in other areas. Discover more on the following page.

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1989 Ferrari Mythos Concept Car Mechanical Design

Aerodynamics were central to the mechanical design of the 1989 Ferrari Mythos concept car, much like other futuristic vehicles of the 1980s. The rear wing spoiler could elevate nearly a foot (depending on speed) to enhance downforce. It also rotated 12 degrees, generating 331 pounds of load at 155 mph.

Rather than using traditional correction methods that targeted only the front or rear axle, which could disrupt balance, Pininfarina implemented adjustments at both ends. At the front, a retractable lip at the bumper's base extended slightly over an inch to improve downforce. Both mechanisms operated electrically, activating at speeds above 62 mph and retracting below 44 mph.

The design featured minimal ornamentation, typical of 1980s aesthetics. Functional components like bumpers, headlamps, and spoilers were seamlessly integrated into the overall design rather than added as afterthoughts. No surface graphics were necessary for a car that exuded its identity effortlessly.

The Ferrari Mythos concept car's interior was a harmonious blend of symmetrical elements. The seat bases mirrored the sleek lines of the uncluttered dashboard, while the twin-circular design of the analog gauges was echoed in the steering wheel. Controls were symmetrically placed on stalks flanking the instrument panel, which, along with the steering wheel and pedals, formed a single adjustable unit.

The absence of window handles allowed the door shell to double as an armrest, with door panels designed in a minimalist style. The two-seat interior, draped in red leather, aimed to evoke the essence of 1960s racing "barchettas." Leather-covered shells adorned the instrument panel, facia, door panels, and seats.

The mechanical components of the Ferrari Mythos concept car were sourced directly from the Testarossa, including the 12-cylinder, 4942cc flat Boxer engine. Only the exhaust system required modification due to the Mythos's shorter rear overhang. The tubular steel frame, borrowed from the Testarossa, was reinforced for this application, while hoods, doors, and body panels were crafted from carbon fiber.

Pirelli PZero tires transmitted the engine's 390 horsepower to the road: 245/40 ZR17 at the front and massive 335/25 ZR17s at the rear. The alloy wheels, based on Ferrari's five-spoke design, featured only the iconic prancing horse emblem on the hubs, with concealed lug nuts.

With the Ferrari Mythos concept car, Pininfarina and Ferrari revisited their heritage, drawing inspiration from groundbreaking models like the 250 PS (1968), the 512 S (1969), and the futuristic Modulo (1970). This return to tradition was a welcome development for enthusiasts of both automotive design and artistry.

Continue to the next page for detailed specifications of the 1989 Ferrari Mythos concept car.

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1989 Ferrari Mythos Concept Car Specifications

The 1989 Ferrari Mythos concept car, straddling the line between fantasy and reality, became the embodiment of many enthusiasts' visions of the future of automobiles. A look at its specifications reveals that this dream was not as far-fetched as it might have seemed.

Manufacturer: Pininfarina Studi e Ricerche S.p.A., Turin, Italy; for Ferrari S.p.A., Modena, Italy

Body design: 2-passenger, 2-door coupe; carbon fiber body, tubular steel frame

Powertrain layout: mid-engine, rear-wheel drive

Wheelbase: 100.4 inches

Overall length: 170.7 inches

Overall width: 82.7 inches

Overall height: 41.9 inches

Track, front: 59.8 inches

Track, rear: 68.0 inches

Weight: 2,756 pounds

Approximate price: not available

Engine type: dohc horizontally-opposed 12-cylinder

Displacement (liters/cubic inches): 4.9/301

Horsepower @ rpm: 390 (DIN) @ 6300

Torque (lbs./ft) @ rpm: (est.) 354 @ 4500

Fuel delivery: twin multi-point fuel injection

Transmission: 5-speed manual

Suspension, front: transverse arms, helical coil springs

Suspension, rear: transverse arms, twin helical coil springs per wheel, anti-roll bar

Brakes: front/rear ventilated discs

1989 Ferrari Mythos Concept Car Performance

Top speed: not available

0-60 mph: not available

Quarter-mile: not available

mph @ quarter-mile: not available

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