Each new decade brings another chapter of high performance at Ferrari. Say hello to the F80, heir to the F40, the Enzo and more recently the LaFerrari. This brand new hyper sports car with extraordinary proportions and embodying the ultimate know-how of Maranello will be limited to 799 examples.
Absolutely every aspect of the F80 is designed to reach the highest heights, from the lightweight carbon fiber chassis to the new active suspension – which employs shock absorbers from Canadian company Multimatic – to unprecedented aerodynamic solutions on a road racing car.
These include a three-plane front spoiler, an extremely flat underbody, a state-of-the-art diffuser and an active rear wing whose angle can vary up to 11 degrees, for a total downforce of 1,000 kg (!) at a speed of 250 km/h.
Photo: Ferrari
Ferrari itself says it, the design of the F80 marks the start of a new era for the brand. It’s sleeker, sharper and more techno than existing models, even the 12Cilindri. Various aerospace-inspired elements are integrated, but of course, links can still be made with the legendary ancestors of the F80. The strong contrast between the painted and blackened sections also attracts attention.
Optimizing aerodynamics and weight reduction, the cabin of the F80 is narrower than in other Ferraris and is designed resolutely with the driver in mind, but still maintains good space for an occasional passenger (the company calls this configuration “1+”). The only screen is behind the steering wheel and the center console creates a clear separation between occupants. There’s enough headroom to wear a helmet, naturally.
Photo: Ferrari
No V12 this time
Derived from the 499P endurance car, twice victorious at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the hybrid engine with 800 volt architecture of the Ferrari F80 is based on a 3-liter V6 in rear position whose two turbochargers are electrically driven – a first. The front axle receives its motivation from two electric motors, while another electric motor resides between the V6 and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, forming a torque-vectoring all-wheel drivetrain.
The CCM-R Plus carbon-ceramic brakes also come from motorsport. And that’s a very good thing, because the F80 generates a total of 1,184 horsepower. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.15 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 5.75 seconds, but can also come to a complete stop from 100 km/h over a distance of 28 meters, no more. Top speed is limited to 350 km/h.
Photo: Ferrari
By the way, the wheels measure 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear. Their sleek design clearly reveals the huge discs and calipers (six pistons at the front, four pistons at the rear) which are behind.
The Ferrari F80 is expected in North America in 2026. We’ll let you imagine its price… As mentioned in a previous article, Quebec entrepreneur Luc Poirier, well known for his collection of exotic cars, was selected to get his hands on on one of the 799 examples of this new Ferrari standard-bearer.
