It has been a busy few weeks in the world of hybrid hypercars. Not long after the announcement of the sold-out McLaren W1, Ferrari has revealed a direct rival – and LaFerrari successor – the F80. Headline figures include a total output of 1184bhp – thanks to a Le Mans and F1-inspired twin-turbo V6 installation – a top speed of 217mph and a price tag starting at £3.1million. Just like the McLaren however, every one of the allotted 799 production run is already spoken for.
Although the lack of a V12 might initially seem unusual given the fact that the mighty V12 still lives on in the 12Cillindri – and a large naturally-aspirated V12 is what has propelled the halo models from F50 to LaFerrari – the small-capacity, high output 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 is closer in spirit to the 288GTO and F40’s turbocharged V8. The new 888bhp V6 is Maranello’s most powerful engine to date, developed from the 297GTB’s unit using technology and parts developed for the Le Mans-winning 499P. It shares the crankcase, layout and drive chains of the timing system, oil pump recovery circuit, bearings, injectors and GDI pumps with the WEC car.
To lighten the engine, the cylinder block, crankcase, timing cover and other components have been revised, while titanium screws have also been adopted. As a result of these measures, the engine weighs no more than the V6 of the 296 GTB despite a power increase of 237bhp.
Of course it’s only one part of the F80’s powertrain, and the electric part of the car’s hybrid system is built and engineered by Ferrari. Make up of a total of three electric motors – one on the back axle, two on the front – take the total power output up to the 1184bhp total. While the fronts push 140bhp to each wheel, the rear ‘MGU-K’ unit’s job is to recover energy under braking, as well as fill in any torque gaps. The engine’s e-turbos make use of an electric motor installed between the turbine and compressor housing to minimise spool up time – but can also be used recover energy.
all of the aero adds up to a package that generates a whopping 1050kg of downforce at 155mph
At its core is a bespoke carbon fibre tub, with weight-saving being one of the key targets. Ferrari claims a 1520kg ‘dry’ weight, which is impressive considering the F80’s power and technical complexity. Motorsport has played a huge part in the aerodynamic development of the F80 too, with the ‘S Duct’ up front channelling air over the cabin and towards the active rear wing. Less visible are the underfloor vortex-generating bargeboards, with all of the aero adding up to a package that generates a whopping 1050kg of downforce at 155mph.
Ferrari says that the F80 is equipped with the most advanced suite of technological solutions currently available for managing vehicle dynamics in all possible conditions on the road or track. That includes a fully active suspension system, similar in architecture to the Purosangue, which makes use of 48V electric motors, active inboard dampers and a double wishbone layout – with the upper wishbones created using 3D printing. This set-up means that there’s no need for a traditional anti-roll bar, and there is far more scope to switch the car between different road and track-based modes. The system is also able to alter the balance of the car as the speed increases and the aerodynamics begin to play more of a role in the dynamics.
Read the full technical run-down of the Ferrari F80 at Ferrari.com
