Introducing The Ferrari F80, The Successor To The LaFerrari

Today, the new Ferrari F80 was unveiled in Maranello, writing a new chapter in the history of legendary supercars bearing the Prancing Horse badge. The F80 will be produced in a limited run of just 799 examples and joins the pantheon of icons such as the GTO, F40 and LaFerrari by showcasing the best that the Maranello-based marque has achieved in terms of technology and performance.

Ever since 1984, Ferrari has periodically released a new supercar that represented the pinnacle of cutting-edge technology and innovation of its era and that was destined to become enshrined in popular culture. Intended for the most discerning clients of the brand, these cars immediately 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.

Now, the F80 is tasked with embodying the ultimate in engineering for an ICE vehicle and employs all the most advanced technological solutions, including latest-generation hybrid technology for the powertrain, to achieve unparalleled levels of power and torque. Every aspect of the architecture is conceived to maximize performance, from the carbon-fiber chassis and extreme aerodynamic solutions far beyond anything seen before in a road-legal car, to the new active suspension optimized to let drivers wring every ounce of performance from the car on the track.

Unlike anything else in the current supercar world, the F80 combines all these attributes with uncompromising levels of usability on the road, where it can be driven with ease. This ability shaped every choice made in terms of technology and architecture to achieve the goal, which at first sight seems impossible, of creating a track-oriented supercar that’s just as drivable as a production range model.

All this means that the driver will spend even more time in the car and can truly get to know and revel in its performance and the thrilling driving experience it offers. The architecture of the F80 is so extreme that the layout chosen results in a narrower cabin with a driver-centric layout, which nonetheless still offers excellent space and comfort for a passenger. This choice had crucial benefits in terms of minimizing drag and weight.

The cockpit area therefore has a distinct single-seater feel, despite the fact that the car can seat two occupants, resulting in a architecture that we could call “1+”. The primary reason for this choice was to minimize width, to the benefit of aerodynamics (with less drag) and weight saving. This concept is completely in keeping with the motorsport world from which this car not only draws inspiration but also inherits technological solutions.

As has always been the case with the Ferrari supercars preceding the F80, the powertrain is based on the finest expression of technology in motorsport. The GTO and F40 were powered by a turbo V8, because Formula 1 cars used turbocharged engines in the 1980s. Today in both Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship (WEC), powertrains consist of turbo V6 ICE engines mated with an 800 V hybrid system. It was only natural then that this architecture – the same architecture used by the 499P, which has taken two consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – would be transferred into the new F80.

Here though the powertrain is further complemented by the introduction, for the first time ever on a Ferrari, of electric turbo technology (e-turbo), which, with an electric motor installed between the turbine and compressor of each turbo, allows for an extraordinary specific power output and instantaneous response from low down in the rev range.

Aerodynamics play a key role on the F80, with solutions such as the active rear wing, rear diffuser, flat underbody, front triplane wing and S-Duct working in concert to generate 2300 pounds of downforce at 155 mph. This result is further enhanced thanks to active suspension, which contributes directly to generating ground effect. Performance is boosted by the electric front axle, which brings four-wheel drive capability to make even more effective use of the torque and power on tap, and the new brakes with motorsports-derived CCM-R Plus tech.

As with all the supercars preceding it, the F80 marks the start of a new design era for Ferrari, with a more tense, extreme design language accentuating its race-bred soul. There are clear references to cues borrowed from aerospace, which underscore the cutting-edge technology and elegant engineering of each and every technical solution. But there are also nods to its hallowed progenitors which clearly declare the illustrious lineage of the F80.

While the new F80 does not have a hair-raising V12 in the back, the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 with hybrid technology makes a combined 1,184 horsepower, with all of that power going to all four wheels. Acceleration from 0-60 happens in just 2.15 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 217 mph.

Visually, Ferrari says the F80 represents the company’s future styling language. The vehicle has a taut shape with a sharp front end and narrow headlights hidden behind a blackened blade. The company keeps the body narrow to create a smaller cross-section to cut through the air. Two butterfly doors move up and forward give way to the purposeful cabin.

While it’s definitely aerodynamic and all of the stuff serves a purpose, it just doesn’t ooze sex appeal like previous Ferrari models. Maybe it will grow on me over time, but right now I’m not totally sold on the styling.

Ferrari will produce 799 examples of the F80s, with prices starting at about $4 million. As you might expect, all of them have already been spoken for by die-hard Ferrari customers who will add them to their considerably impressive collections.

It’s been an interesting few weeks in the hypercar world, first with the McLaren W1, and now the Ferrari F80. All that’s left is for Porsche to unveil their 918 Spyder replacement in order to complete the trifecta!

What do you think of the Ferrari F80?