THERE'S A NEW HYPERCAR IN TOWN - THE FERRARI F80 - AND THERE'S 883 KW OF HYBRID POWER ON TAP!
When Ferrari released its halo car back in 2013, the La Ferrari, it was the ultimate in automotive design and technology and it quickly became known as one of the best Ferrari models ever. The car had such an impressive spec list and looks that a successor would have to be something very, very special indeed. Production on the La Ferrari ceased in 2016 after the 499 units were manufactured, and since then aficionados have been patiently waiting for a replacement. That time has arrived, the world’s motoring media was just introduced to the all-new Ferrari F80, and if those in the know are to be believed, this new hypercar has every right to be called a successor to the La Ferrari - and then some. With a halo car, you just know it’s been packed with all the best tech, materials and a new-generation powerplant that churns out numbers that would have been unbelievable just a few short years ago. That means there’s a heck of a lot of information to process, so we’re doing the proper petrolhead thing and concentrating on the good bits that make the car go forward with urgency. The F80’s powertrain is based on the same architecture used by the 499P, which has taken two consecutive victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The heart of this new Ferrari hypercar is a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine, codenamed F163CF. On its own, this beast pumps out an impressive 900 horsepower, thanks to cutting-edge electric turbochargers (e-turbos). This engine has the highest specific power output in Ferrari’s history. It’s paired with a 300-hp hybrid system, which powers both the front electric axle and a rear electric motor (MGU-K), giving the car an advanced e-4WD setup. The e-turbos are a game changer. An electric motor between the turbine and the compressor allows Ferrari’s engineers to fine-tune the engine for peak power at higher revs without sacrificing performance at lower speeds - essentially eliminating turbo lag. By using electric power, these turbos respond much faster than conventional ones.
Ferrari didn’t stop there. The electric motors used in this hypercar are the first they’ve developed completely in-house at their Maranello HQ, blending high performance with lightweight construction. The motors, one in the rear and two up front are inspired by Ferrari’s Formula 1 technology. The key innovation is a Halbach array—special magnets arranged to maximize power output without adding weight. These motors can spin up to a lightning-fast 30,000 RPM, with carbon fibre magnet sleeves allowing for such insane speeds. The stator, which is part of the motor, is designed to be super-efficient and lightweight, using a special wire that minimizes energy losses. On top of that, there’s an advanced cooling system and a power converter that handles three different voltages simultaneously - 800V, 48V, and 12V—so everything works smoothly together. The front electric axle also packs a punch, with two motors, an inverter, and a cooling system. It’s about 14 kg lighter than similar systems, weighing only 61.5 kg in total. Ferrari used low-viscosity oil and a dry sump lubrication system to cut down mechanical losses by 20%, and high-tech gears reduce noise by 10 dB. The inverter on this axle converts the battery’s DC power into AC for the motors and does the reverse during regenerative braking, helping recharge the battery. The rear motor (MGU-K) has its own inverter, which handles three tasks: starting the engine, recharging the battery, and adding extra torque when needed. It can generate up to 70 kW while regenerating and can assist the engine with 60 kW of power. Both inverters feature Ferrari’s Power Pack system, which is all about packing maximum power conversion into the smallest, lightest unit possible, using advanced silicon carbide technology. At the heart of it all is a high-voltage battery, also inspired by Formula 1. It’s packed with 204 cells and arranged to minimize weight while improving the car’s balance by keeping the centre of gravity low. The carbon fibre casing and clever assembly help make this power source both light and powerful, with an energy capacity of 2.3 kWh and a peak output of 242 kW.
All of this, together with the clever drivetrain, means the new F80 can get to 100 km/h in just 2.15 seconds, 200 km/h in 5.75 seconds and tops out at 350 km/h. It can stop too, 100 - 0 km/h takes place in just 20 metres, while a hard stop from 200 km/h can be done in just 98 metres. While the Ferrari F80 is reportedly set to retail at $4,000,000, or a cool R70,848,000, you can’t have one - the full 799 unit production run is already accounted for. Maybe SA’s best car collector, Selwyn Chatz will procure one to add to his pair of La Ferraris…
Take a look at the YouTube video that details the stunning new Ferrari hypercar, a successor to the legendary La Ferrari that was last seen on the production line back in 2016. This all-new hypercar features, as expected, a hybrid powertrain that sees the thing rise to the very top of the Ferrari echelon of power. Would you like one of these in your garage? Well, of course you would, we mean would you like one if you had to pay for it?: Introducing the Ferrari F80 | Ferrari
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