by Wallace Wyss –
The new Ferrari F80 is not just a road car it is a car in the hypercar class. Not so coincidentally it was announced a month after McLaren unveiled the W1.
The Ferrari F80 is not, thank heavens, an all electric. It is though a hybrid, with 1258b hp on tap via the rear wheels only. This car will be an uber expensive exotica like the Bugatti and Koenigsegg.
The 3.0-litre ICE engine produces 888 bhp, red lines at 9200rpm and has a specific output of 296 bhp per liter (ironically still below the Mercedes-AMG One level). The twin electric motors on the front axle add another 282 bhp (and make it permanent four-wheel drive); torque is 627 lb-ft from the V6 and 178 lb-ft from the front electric motors; 0-62mph takes just 2.15 seconds and 0-125mph in 5.75 seconds. It leaves the LaFerrari far behind in the 0-60 mph sprint.
Two fairly large capacity turbos are in the middle of the 120-degree V and with each having an e-motor between the turbine and the compressor, Ferrari promises instant power delivery.
Here’s my take on the design:
SIDE VIEW: It is unexpectedly staid in the center section even with the indented side “running board”, though you can’t stand on it. The rising fender line doesn’t make it so obvious how big the rear wheel well is. The front fender is dramatically separated from the rest of the body by sticking out what looks to be half a foot. Don’t much like the vent or scoop on the side being black. Why?
The flip up doors are almost a necessity caused by Lamborghini having them on several models. They seem so much more exotic. I don’t like them because the side windows then have nowhere to slide down into. But gotta admit they make your grand entrance that much more grand when you open the doors.
FRONT: The black stripe across the nose makes you think the headlights are fixed in place like those on the European Daytona of over half a century ago. I will want to see one with that stripe painted body color. We’ll see how much customization the works will allow.
The running lights, pencil thin horizontal white lights, are very mysterious looking. The two side scoops are very noticeable from the front like the 250 LM.
The rear spoiler, seen in some pictures extended on stilts, is not always extended. I didn’t realize that until I saw a video on Google of a track demo of the car and, while in the non operative state, the F80s spoiler lowers almost to the deck and the arms that hold it up lean over to allow it to descend.
REAR VIEW: OK I get it—it seems to the public a car is so much more ready-to-race-at-LeMans if there is no back window. This one has a series of porthole like vents that I am presuming you see out of, but I would feel nervous. Maybe I’ll like it if they loan me a test car (and hell will freeze over before that happens). At least the top third of the back is still body color—in a lot of exotics they go to back just below the engine lid and I think that’s the easy way but makes the car seem too much race car when it might never see a track.
INTERIOR: I can’t get a good reference but the first thing that strikes me is the passenger seat has a different upholstery color. I think it’s more race car influenced—maybe the driver and a lot of mechanics sat behind the steering wheel so they want the passenger seat to be more pristine. Or maybe the driver seat can do additional driver modification for track use. It is movable where the passenger seat isn’t.
IN SUM: I don’t much like the front fender sticking out on the side like a bad repair job but that’s been a trend started earlier in NASCAR and in some Porsches. It says “I insist on having a certain width tire, no matter how wide the car is”.
The overall shape of the body is pleasing. It’s too bad they can’t have a rear spoiler that isn’t so “Look at me, I drive a race car”, retractable would be so much more subtle. So basically this car looks more like a race car than some race cars and that’s why Ferrari built it that way. The Roma is far far more a discreet design but this car will make the heavy bread. It’s good that Ferrari can make models for both ends of the spectrum.
The cost is $5.2 million and I suspect they may ask what other Ferraris you have before you can order one. It will not be common, you can bet on that.
Ferrari F80 Art by Wallace Wyss
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
THE AUTHOR: Wallace Wyss, a long time commentator on car design, is also a fine artist. He will be offering an F80 portrait on canvas as a 20” x 30” giclee print. For info on availability write Photojournalistpro2@gmail.com
Ferrari F80 Art by Wallace Wyss
Photos compliments of Ferrari.
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