Ferrari’s vice chairman will be getting around in more than just a Prancing Horse.
Piero Ferrari, the only living son of the Italian marque’s founder Enzo Ferrari, just received a brand-new Bombardier Challenger 3500 jet. He will use the aircraft to travel to Formula 1 races and other business engagements, according to a statement shared by the Canadian plane maker. Beyond his position at Ferrari, the 81-year-old billionaire serves as chairman of Italian engineering firm HPE-COXA and was the honorary chairman of Ferretti shipyard until he stepped down very recently.
Unveiled in 2021 as the successor to the Challenger 350, the Challenger 3500 pushed the super-midsize parameters by incorporating several innovations originally introduced on Bombardier’s ultra-long-range Global 7500 flagship, such as a voice-controlled cabin and “antigravity” Nuage seats. Other enhancements included a reduced cabin altitude of 4,850 feet, improved soundproofing, a larger galley, and a new 24-inch 4K video display.
The inaugural jet was handed over to Les Goldberg, CEO of Entertainment Technology Partners, in 2022, with the model skyrocketing in popularity in the subsequent years. Since 2023, the aircraft has outdelivered every other business jet model in the medium and heavy categories, according to Bombardier. (Before that, the 350 was the bestselling super-midsize jet for seven years.) Ferrari’s 3500 is the 200th to roll off the line, underscoring continued demand for the jet.
“Delivering the 200th Challenger 3500 jet is a defining milestone for Bombardier and a powerful testament to the aircraft’s remarkable success in the super-midsize segment,” said David Murray of Bombardier. “The Challenger 3500 jet has quickly established itself as a category leader, and we look forward to building on that momentum.”
With a maximum range of 3,400 nautical miles, a top speed of Mach 0.83 (approx. 541 mph), the lowest direct operating costs in class, and seating for up to 10, the 3500 is well-suited to high-flying businessmen and execs. It has also proved popular among fleet operators, with Bombardier securing orders from BOND, NetJets, and VistaJet.
The aircraft interior is customizable, with clients able to personalize the seating layout and select finishes and materials. Bombardier did not share any details regarding Ferrari’s specific fitout, though. The 3500 has a standard list price of $26.7 million, but customization can bump up the cost past $30 million.