LaFerrari’s successor arrives in the form of the F80 hypercar

ABU DHABI: Ferrari's successor to the LaFerrari, the F80 is known to be the most powerful road car ever produced by the Italian brand, generating from an electrified V6 powertrain around 1,184bhp. This powerful engine combines innovations from Ferrari's Formula 1 racing cars and Le Mans-winning 499P.

The starting price of the new hypercar is £3 million (AED 14,363,733.02) and only 799 units have been produced. All the units are already sold out. It follows in the lineage of the Enzo, F40, F50, and LaFerrari and for road-going Ferraris it has set a new standard.
The F80 is equipped with an upgraded 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine, generating 900hp and revving to 9,200rpm, making it the most powerful engine of Ferrari to date. This engine has been from the 296 GTB and is as lightweight as its predecessor. Three in-house electric motors complement the V6—two at the front, each generating 142hp, and an ‘MGU-K’ rear energy recovery unit that is similar to those in the F1 cars of Ferrari. The F80 has also introduced ‘e-turbos,’ leveraging the technology of F1 to improve throttle response and minimize lag.

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The F80’s hybrid system offers all four wheels a staggering 1,200hp, achieving in just 2.15 seconds 0-100kph and in 5.75 seconds 0-200kph, outpacing the Mercedes-AMG One and McLaren W1. It comes with selectable modes—Qualify, Hybrid, and Performance—though the pure-electric option is not available. The F80 similar to the 296, isn't a plug-in hybrid. It comes with a 2.3kWh battery that enables short low-speed operation and boosts power. Qualify and Performance modes have a Boost Optimisation function that during a sighting lap enables you to record the track to offer power boosts on subsequent laps.

Gianmaria Fulgenzi, the chief product development officer said that the underbody of the F80 is inspired heavily from the F1 car of the brand, using large barge boards for the airflow management. The front boasts an aggressive nose with an 'S-Duct' that is inspired by the 499P, channeling air toward the rear over the cabin. The black fascia comes with a lip that directs air to the rear wing, which adjusts its angle and height to reduce drag and optimize downforce. The F80 is coupled with a rear diffuser and can produce downforce of up to 590kg, totaling 1,000kg at 250kph, nearing F1 levels and rivaling the McLaren W1.

Measuring 1,130mm in height, 2,060mm in width, and 4,840mm in length, the F80 is 125kg heavier and slightly larger than the W1, at 1,525kg (dry). However, lightweight materials such as titanium, carbon fibre, and aluminium have been used making it 60kg lighter than the LaFerrari. Its chassis is 50% stiffer. The carbon roof and fibre cell, along with aluminium subframes, elevate its performance credentials, while the front subframe doubles for the brakes as cooling ducts. It also features an active suspension that is powered by four 48V actuators, with a double-wishbone setup.

The F80 impresses with its groundbreaking design that seems to be inspired by sci-fi and spaceships, while also nodding to the most famous Ferrari models such as the 330 P3 and F40. Although the single-seater initial plans were abandoned, the cabin with an asymmetrical ‘1+’ layout prioritizes the driver. Most of the controls are physical for effortless driving.

The cabin of the F80 has an asymmetrical layout that prioritizes the driver, despite the discussions in the initial stage about a single-seater design. Most of the controls are physical and enhance usability while driving.

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