Ferrari has launched a new supercar it intends to join the pantheon of its icons, including the GTO, F40 and LaFerrari.

Only a few mortals will get to drive it as Ferrari will produce only 799 of these cars.

The all-new F80 features a hybrid-electric powertrain featuring a V6 engine and three electric motors producing a combined 1,200 CV, which translates to 1,184 North American horses. Power is diverted to the wheels via an eight-speed dual clutch transmission and thanks to a pair of electric motors sending power to the front axle, the F80 benefits from all-wheel drive. The third motor sends power to the rear wheels.

We’ll get to what makes the powertrain so special in a bit, but first let’s take a look at the performance numbers, as reported by Ferrari.

Performance figures:

• Maximum speed – 350 km/h (217 mph)
• 0–100 km/h – 2.15 seconds
• 0–200 km/h – 5.75 seconds
• 100-0 km/h – 28 metres
• 200-0 km/h – 98 metres

Powertrain

The F80’s powertrain technology is built on Ferrari’s engines used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Formula 1, with a particular focus on endurance racing.

The turbocharged 3-litre V6 engine features a bespoke e-turbo application.

The F80 also utilizes a nwe approach for statistical knock control, which Ferrari explains lets the engine operate closer to the knock limit and therefore it can take higher combustion chamber pressures (up 20 per cent compared with the 296 GTB).

Because knock and compressor surge limits very in dynamic and stationary conditions, the management of the e-turbo system was calibrated for each gear, which Ferrari says allows the engine to be as responsive as if it was naturally aspirated.

The V6’s peak power is 900 CV, or 888 hp with the engine capable of spinning up to 9,200 rpm.

The electric drive components feature two motors on the front axle and one at the rear of the car, which, combined, produce 300 CV, or 296 hp.

The electric motors are fed by a 2.3 kWh high-voltage battery that is placed low in the engine bay, which actually improves the car’s handling as it lowers its centre of gravity.

Dynamics

Ferrari says the F80 produces 1,000 kilograms of downforce at 250 km/h, which is a level never before seen on a road-going Ferrari. Ferrari says the basis for every design choice on the car was the perfect balance between downforce and top speed.

The front end was inspired by Formula 1 and the World Endurance Championship concepts.

Ferrari says the F80 has the most advanced suite of technological solutions for managing vehicle dynamics for all possible conditions, whether on the road or track.

The active suspension system was re-engineered from the ground up to be tailored specifically for the F80. The completely independent suspension is operated by four 48V electric motors.

On the track, the car is capable of a very flat ride, while on the road it can soak up bumps during normal driving.

A new side slip control system (SSC 9.0) is capable of estimating the yaw angle in real time as well as the velocity of the centre of mass of the car, helping to improve the performance of the dynamic control systems, such as the traction control.

The car is offered with either Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 or Pilot Sport Cup2R tires measuring 285/30 R20 in front and 345/30 R21 in the rear. Both sets of tires were co-developed with Michelin for the F80. The Cup2 tires are designed to maximize the usability of the car while the Cup2R tires are meant for maximum grip and consistency on the track.

The car can be a beast on the track, but Ferrari also points out it can be a safe road-going vehicle too. It is equipped with adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, automatic high beam, traffic sign recognition, and driver drowsiness and attention warning.

Interior

The cockpit features a 1+ layout. There are two seats, but everything is centred entirely around the driver, from the interior design layout, to the control panels and more.

The passenger seat is integrated into the trim of the cabin in such a way that it almost disappears from view, Ferrari says. The two seats are even different colours.

The F80 comes with a seven-year maintenance program, which covers regular maintenance for the first seven years.

Measurements

The car is 4,840 mm long, 2,060 mm wide, 1,138 mm tall and has a dry weight of 1,525 kilograms.

Weight distribution is 42.2 per cent front and 57.8 per cent rear.

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