With the new F80, Ferrari is writing the next chapter in the history of legendary supercars bearing the Prancing Horse badge, joining the pantheon of icons such as the GTO, F40 and LaFerrari Aperta by showcasing the best from Maranello in terms of technology, design and performance.
Throughout its storied history, Ferrari has introduced cars representing the pinnacle of cutting-edge technology and innovation for its era, but since 1984, Maranello has periodically released a new supercar that was destined to become enshrined in popular culture.
Intended for the most discerning clients of the brand, these models – starting with the 288 GTO forty years ago and the F40 that initiated the supercar moniker – became legends in their own lifetime, making an indelible mark not only on the history of Ferrari, but on the history of the automobile itself.
As the latest addition to this family, the F80 embodies the ultimate in engineering for an internal combustion-engine vehicle, and employs the most advanced technological solutions to achieve unparalleled levels of power and torque. As such, a limited run of only 799 examples will be produced – and all of them have already been accounted for…
Every aspect of the F80’s architecture, including the latest-generation hybrid technology for the powertrain, has been conceived to maximise performance – yet according to Ferrari, the F80 combines all these attributes with uncompromising levels of usability on the road, where it can be driven with ease.
With its roots in the Le Mans winning 499P, the F80’s narrow cockpit area (to minimise drag and reduce weight) has a distinct singe-seater feel and driver-centric layout, even though the car is homologated for two occupants, resulting in a “1+” architecture.
Enormous Power
In much the same way its supercar predecessors have, the F80 also inherits technological solutions from the 499P. The GTO and F40 used turbo V8 power because Formula 1 cars used turbocharged engines in the 1980s. Nowadays, Formula 1 and World Endurance Championship (WEC) use turbo V6 engines mated with an 800V hybrid system, so it is only natural that this powertrain architecture would be transferred to the new F80.
The 3.0 V6 F163CF ICE engine, closely derived from the 499P powerplant that won the last two 24 Hours of Le Mans races, is further complemented by an e-turbo (for the first time on a Ferrari), which, with an electric motor installed between the turbine and compressor of each turbo, allows for an extraordinary specific power output and instantaneous response.
The engine produces peak power of 671 kW, available from 8,750 rpm, and 850 Nm at 5,550 rpm, making it the Ferrari engine with the highest specific power of all time (220 kW/l). It is coupled with two front axle electric motors (e-4WD), each delivering 105 kW and 121 Nm of torque, and a rear axle mounted electric motor (MGU-K) producing 70 kW and 45 Nm of torque.
Powering these motors is a 2.28 kWh high-density battery with a maximum current of 350A and a maximum voltage of 860V. The result? A combined peak power output of an enormous 895 kW and 1 071 Nm of torque, intelligently sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox – good enough to propel the F80 to 100 km/h in 2,15 seconds, from 0-200 km/h in 5.75 seconds and reach a top speed of 350 km/h.
Aerodynamics play a key role on the F80 in attaining these figures, with solutions such as the active rear wing, rear diffuser, flat underbody, front triplane wing, and S-Duct working in concert to generate 1000 kg of downforce at 250 km/h. The visually distinctive active wing completes the entire aerodynamic concept of the vehicle as it precisely modulates downforce and drag in all dynamic conditions.
This result is further enhanced thanks to the active suspension, developed from the Purosangue, which contributes directly to generating ground effect. Performance is further boosted by the electric front axle, which brings four-wheel drive capability, and the new brakes, developed in collaboration with Brembo, with motorsports-derived CCM-R Plus technology.
New Design Era
As with the supercars preceding it, the F80 marks the start of a new design era for Ferrari. This more tense, extreme styling with explicit references to aerospace accentuating its race-bred soul, also contains nods to progenitors in its illustrious lineage. The design is defined by a dihedral cross-section at the front, a 499 P-like nose section with the headlamps concealed in a visor element, and a vertical panel standing proud of the door that pays homage to the visual language of the F40.
The NACA duct on the flank is as iconic a styling cue as it is functional, and another functional but highly symbolic element is the louvred engine compartment spine with six slots. The lower zone of the bodywork is finished in clear-coated carbon fibre to accentuate the design, and the taillights are sandwiched between the short tail fascia and the spoiler.
The floating bubble structure of the cabin is 50 mm lower than the greenhouse of the LaFerrari, and this has a significant effect on the perception of volume, giving the cabin, with butterfly doors, a very compact look. The cockpit is centred around the driver, with the passenger seat set further back, and the smaller steering wheel, with flattened top and bottom rims, was developed specifically for the F80.
According to Ferrari, the F80’s chassis and bodyshell – mainly crafted from carbon fibre and other composites – is 5% lighter than that of the LaFerrari, but torsional and beam stiffness is increased by 50%, and NVH has also been significantly improved.
In terms of driving dynamics, another significant evolution introduced by the F80 is the new SSC 9.0 (Side Slip Control) system with an integrated FIVE (Ferrari Integrated Vehicle Estimator) function that mathematically estimates yaw angle in real-time.
The eManettino offers three driving modes: Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify, but there is no eDrive mode (it is available on the SF90 Stradale and 296 GTB only) as the F80 cannot be driven in full-electric mode. Also, to maximise daily usability, the F80 is equipped with all the main ADAS driver assist functions currently available.
LAST WORD
Production of the F80 will start at the end of next year and will last until 2027. At an estimated cost of over R70 million (including taxes and fees), it is easily the most expensive Ferrari ever and double the price of a McLaren W1. Even so, it will become an immediate classic, and maybe one (or perhaps two) will find its way to South Africa.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © FERRARI
