What's all this about?

This is about Ferrari bringing out its newest, greatest hypercar - the successor to the legendary F40, Enzo, and LaFerrari. This is the F80.

It says here it only has a V6 engine...

Well, yes it does. Which is in fairness half the cylinder count of the LaFerrari, but this is a very special V6 engine as it's closely related to the one that sits in the back of the Ferrari 499P racing car - the one that's won Le Mans last two times out.

Pretty powerful then?

Oh yes, that 120-degree V6 produces 900hp all on its own, thanks in part to twin electric turbochargers, which can spin up to maximum thrust in the blink of an eye - no more turbo lag.

I thought you said it has 1,200hp?

It does. The F80 is a hybrid, using a teeny 2.4kWh battery to feed energy to three electric motors - one each for the front wheels and one for the rear. All three motors together produce 300hp, and all three use Formula One technology so they're as light and as powerful as possible. There's also an extra twist for those electric turbos - like the ones on an F1 car, they can use any excess power to return energy to the battery, making the F80 as efficient as it is fast.

How fast is it?

It'll do 0-62mph in 2.15 seconds. And 0-124mph in 5.7 seconds. It has a top speed of 217mph. All very senior figures, and actually faster than rivals from McLaren and Mercedes-AMG.

How does Ferrari keep all that stuck to the ground?

With active aerodynamics, including a fully animated rear wing, a massive rear diffuser (said to be the biggest ever fitted to a road-going car), and a Le Mans-style 'S-duct' in the nose. Even the engine, gearbox and the cabin's seats are positioned so as to achieve the best possible airflow over, through and under the bodywork.

There's also fully active suspension, which uses 48-volt motors to control each individual suspension unit, meaning Ferrari can do away with things like anti-roll bars. The suspension can raise the bodywork up at low speeds, maximising grip from the tyres, or drop it down at higher speeds, making the F80 cut through the air better.

What about the cabin?

Inside, the F80 is simple and clean, and all structured around the driver's bright red bucket seat. There's a tiny wheel which, F1-style, is festooned with buttons, and a centre console which features a cool switch layout that looks like the classic Ferrari open-gate gearchange. The passenger is relegated to a seat moulded into the chassis, and which is set slightly behind that of the driver.

Is it gorgeous?

Actually, yes, There are lots of references to the past - a plexiglass nose like a Daytona; boxy wheelarches like an F40; curved rear haunches like a 1960s P3 Le Mans car - but the F80 also looks both bang up to date and a bit futuristic. It's a stunning car, and at least it's a flagship Ferrari without a silly name.

When can I buy one?

You can't. The F80 costs £3-million, only 799 will be made, and they're all sold already.

Neil Briscoe - 18 Oct 2024