Ferrari has introduced its first new supercar in over ten years, priced at $3.9 million (€3.6 million). The design draws inspiration from a famous model of the 1980s, giving it a modern look.
Called the F80, this car comes with a 1200-horsepower hybrid engine. Ferrari will only make 799 of these cars, making it one of their most expensive models ever. The company announced that deliveries will begin by the end of next year.
This move is part of Ferrari’s plan to maintain its position as Europe’s most valuable carmaker. Despite making far fewer cars than its competitors, Ferrari continues to lead with high profits.
There has been a general decline in luxury spending, but demand for supercars priced over $1 million remains strong. In Italy, Ferrari’s new F80 will be sold for €3.6 million ($3.9 million), with prices for other countries to be announced at a later time.
The F80 is a two-seater with a top speed of about 217 miles per hour. It is Ferrari’s first supercar since the launch of LaFerrari in 2013. While “supercar” usually refers to high-powered sports cars, Ferrari reserves the term for its limited-edition and most expensive models. Previous Ferrari supercars include the 1984 GTO and the 2002 Enzo, which are released only on rare occasions.
F80’s design inspired by the aerospace industry
Ferrari said the F80’s design was inspired by the aerospace industry, aiming for a futuristic and bold look. It “wanted to do something absolutely futuristic and disruptive, we didn’t want to get carried away with a nostalgic idea,” explained Ferrari’s Chief Design Officer, Flavio Manzoni.
Unlike previous models powered by a roaring V12 engine, the F80 uses a twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine. While some may find this change disappointing, the reason is clear. This 3.0-liter V6 is a modified version of the engine that powered Ferrari’s 499P to back-to-back victories at the Le Mans 24-hour race.
It is also the same setup used in Formula 1. This V6 is more compact, lighter, and more powerful than a V12. It produces 888 horsepower on its own, which is 234 horsepower more than Ferrari’s 296 GTB, even though it weighs the same.
Of this, 295 horsepower comes from three electric motors, all designed and built by Ferrari. Two of these motors are on the front axle, giving the car four-wheel drive, unlike McLaren’s new W1, which has rear-wheel drive. The third motor is attached to the engine, providing an extra boost of 80 horsepower or sending energy back to the battery when in regenerative mode.
The F80’s 800V battery, a 2.3kWh unit, is located behind the seats and uses Formula 1 technology for quick charging and power output. Unlike many hybrids, the F80 does not offer an electric-only mode. In total, the car has 13 electric motors. These include two more on the electric turbos, one at each corner for active suspension, and four small units in the wing to control lift and tilt.
