Ferrari F80, a 1,200 hp supercar

Not to be confused. At Ferrari, there are several families of road cars produced in limited series: exclusive variations of models from the catalog (812 Competizione), models from the Icona series (Monza SP1 and SP2, Daytona SP3) and supercars. The latter is by far the most exclusive family. The one for which collectors are able to get up at night and besiege their distributor to be sure to be part of the list of the lucky ones. There won’t be something for everyone. Called F80, the last berlinette in the series will only be produced in 799 units. As one could imagine, even before having revealed its plastic and technical characteristics, Maranello’s latest creation is already no longer available for sale despite a ticket of 3.6 million euros. Not content with symbolizing the pinnacle of the brand’s technology, Ferrari supercars are also excellent investments.

In forty years of existence, this line has only given birth to six vehicles: 288 GTO, F40, F50, Enzo and LaFerrari. The Italian manufacturer had not designed one for ten years. This shows the importance of the event. Like its predecessors, the F80 benefits greatly from the expertise of competition, Formula 1 and the 499P prototypes in particular. Cars that have won at Le Mans two years in a row (2023 and 2024), we find the general silhouette with particularly generous dimensions and careful aerodynamics. Compared to the previous supercar, the F80 is lengthened by 140 mm to 4.84 m while the width reaches 2.06 m and the height does not exceed 1.13 meters. Designers worked closely with engineers and aerodynamicists to ensure levels of downforce never before seen on a car for road use. The F80 reaches 1,050 kilos of downforce at 250 km/h, 450 kg for the front alone. The solutions developed for the 499P largely inspired the aerodynamics of the F80. The base is streamlined and equipped with fins which allow air to be evacuated efficiently. As on the 812 Competizione, the rear hood is completely faired and only six vents allow heat to be dissipated from the engine block.

Heart of the work, the mechanics come from the 499P. This is Ferrari’s strength in giving customers the impression of the F80 who will be driving a car that escaped from the Le Mans starting grid. This is so true that Maranello announces that the driver will be installed in a reclining position, similar to that of its prototypes. While the LaFerrari Berlinette was powered by a hybridized V12, the F80 features the technology of the 499P. Common points with the racing car: the rear central architecture, the crankcase, the layout and drive chains of the distribution system, the oil pump recovery circuit, the injectors and the GDI pumps.

The 963 horsepower of the previous model but also the 1,030 horsepower of the plug-in hybrid turbo V8 of the SF90 XX Stradale are exceeded. With 1,200 horsepower, the F80 now holds the title of the most powerful road-going Ferrari in history. This level of power could be achieved by combining the 3-liter 120-degree V6 with electric turbo boosted to 900 horsepower with three electric machines operating at 800V. At the front, there are two, each delivering 142 hp and at the rear a small 81 hp MGU-K type electric unit used in F1. The latter fulfills three functions: starting the thermal engine, recovering energy to recharge the 28 kWh high voltage battery and supplementing the engine torque in certain dynamic conditions. It can generate up to 70 kW in regeneration mode and assist the thermal engine with a power of up to 60 kW.

The V-six is ​​paired with an 8-speed F1 dual-clutch automatic transmission. The torque curve, this is new, can be calibrated at each gear.

The chassis benefits from active suspension based on four 48V electric motors varying each “Inboard” shock absorber independently and contributing to the correction of the camber angle. Around a monocoque cell and the carbon fiber roof, the F80 uses aluminum for the subframes attached to the hull by titanium screws. Like the Enzo and the Ferrari, the doors open in elytra. The weight of the car comes out to 1,525 kilos, without fluids.

As in the 499P prototype, the cockpit meets the 1+ architecture, that is to say that the two seats are in an asymmetrical position but very close together. In the end, the performance is a little closer to a sports prototype. 200 km/h is reached in 5.6 seconds. For the record, the F40 reached 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and passed the 200 km/h mark in 11.6 seconds.