Skip advert
Advertisement

Ferrari J50 Special Projects supercar marks Ferrari's 50 years in Japan

Limited edition Ferrari J50 model is based on the 488 spider and marks fifty years of Ferrari in Japan

Ferrari has revealed a new special edition model to mark fifty years in the Japanese market, which will be limited to just ten examples. The eye-catching Ferrari J50 is a two-seat mid-engine roadster based on the 488 Spider, though the 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 has been tweaked to produce 20bhp extra, meaning a total power output of 681bhp.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The J50 is another product of Ferrari’s Special Projects division – responsible for cars like the 458 MM Speciale and the recently unearthed SP275 RW Competizione. Like those cars it features outlandish styling, crafted by the team at Ferrari’s Styling Centre in Maranello. All ten examples will be modified and tailored specifically to their customers’ requirements.

Top supercars 2016/17

The J50 is a low-slung roadster boasting a targa top roof and a helmet visor effect windscreen. The top itself is made from two sheets of Carbon-Fibre, which stow away behind the seats.

At the front is a redesigned, lower looking front bumper with a large chicken wire mesh intake, new aerodynamic elements and sleeker headlights.

A black dividing line is embedded within it, and swoops around the sides of the car. Ferrari says the black line is reminiscent of the F40 and F50, and it tugs the beltline of the new Ferrari downwards, making the car appear even lower. Huge, swollen wheel arches round off the muscular new look.

Around the back the re-designed rear end gets a large transparent polycarbonate engine cover and sits behind two distinctive black roll hoops. An aerofoil piece of bodywork bridges over them. A new quad-taillight setup makes the cut, sitting beneath a tweaked rear wing and above a jet engine afterburner inspired rear diffuser. It all rides on unique 20-inch forged wheels.

In the cabin, the interior is finished in red and black leather and Alcantara. These hyper exclusive special edition cars are likely to be sold to some of Ferrari’s most distinctive customers, and as such we don’t have any pricing details. A tag far above and beyond the £204k starting price of a standard 488 Spider is a given though. 

Is the J50 the best looking Special Projects Ferrari yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Ferrari has a social conscience, British car makers should follow suit
Opinion - Ferrari medical centre

Ferrari has a social conscience, British car makers should follow suit

Mike Rutherford praises Ferrari’s idea to transform its HQ into a medical diagnosis centre
Opinion
29 Mar 2026
Most expensive cars ever sold at auction
Most expensive cars - header image

Most expensive cars ever sold at auction

The rarest and most desirable cars ever made fetch eye-watering sums when going under the hammer. These examples attracted the highest auction prices …
Best cars & vans
17 Feb 2026
I’ve been crying out for a revolutionary car interior, I’m just shocked it came from Ferrari
Opinion - Ferrari Luce interior

I’ve been crying out for a revolutionary car interior, I’m just shocked it came from Ferrari

Apple’s iconic designer has created a new car interior, but Jordan Katsianis wonders if Ferrari was the right brand to do it with
Opinion
12 Feb 2026
New Ferrari Luce interior revealed: Italian brand’s first EV goes wild and retro inside
Ferrari Luce - dash

New Ferrari Luce interior revealed: Italian brand’s first EV goes wild and retro inside

The first Ferrari pure EV is set to be called Luce and will revolutionise its interiors thanks to input from Apple legend
News
9 Feb 2026

Most Popular

New Cupra Raval 2026 review: a true pocket rocket for the EV era
Cupra Raval - front tracking

New Cupra Raval 2026 review: a true pocket rocket for the EV era

The hot little Raval marks the beginning of a very promising new era
Road tests
8 May 2026
Volkswagen T-Roc vs Toyota C-HR: two popular small SUVs, one winner
Volkswagen T-Roc and Toyota C-HR - front tracking

Volkswagen T-Roc vs Toyota C-HR: two popular small SUVs, one winner

The second-generation VW T-Roc has landed to find the Toyota C-HR waiting to challenge it. Which SUV comes out on top?
Car group tests
9 May 2026
Renault 5 gets one-pedal driving for its first birthday
Renault 5 E-Tech Iconic Five - front action

Renault 5 gets one-pedal driving for its first birthday

The funky French EV was the UK’s most popular electric car in April and has upped its game with one-pedal driving
News
7 May 2026

Find a car with the experts