For the past 2 years, rumours and speculation have been abound on the “F70”, Ferrari’s successor to the Enzo, following on with the code of the past 3 (F40, F50, F60) halo models for the brand. In recent months, Ferrari has been leaking images thick and fast, and at long last it all culminated into a grand reveal at the 2013 edition of the Geneva Auto Show. We present to you, the Ferrari LaFerrari… and yes, for those of you who know Italian, it does mean the new halo model’s name is the “Ferrari The Ferrari”, go figure.
But, there is apparently a reason for this as the F150 is said to be the most exceptional piece of machinery to ever come out of Maranello, the pinnacle of performance and the very embodiment of what Ferrari and the prancing horse stand for. So, does it? Well the figures would suggest so, and so would the tech going into it, so let’s ease into the details shall we? The base of the powerplant is a 6.5 litre V12 lifted from the F12berlinetta, set to the output of 588.4kW and 700Nm; impressive, right? Well what if we told you it’s a hybrid? With a 120kW electric motor, boosting power up to the incredible total of 708.4kW and over 900Nm!
Yes, this gargantuan beast is over seven hundred kilowatts strong, and Ferrari say it will achieve the 0-100 sprint in under 3 seconds, 0-200 in under 7, and will cruise from standstill to 300 in a whopping 15 seconds flat, 2 seconds clear of its latest competitor, the McLaren P1. LaFerrari’s top speed hasn’t been confirmed, but we’re told it’s well over 350km/h and it laps the Fiorano test track in a time of under 1:20, 5 seconds faster than the Enzo, and 3 seconds faster than the F12berlinetta.. The electric system at play is none other than Ferrari’s HY-KERS system straight from the F138 Formula 1 car, with all power linked to the rear wheels via a Formula 1 dual-clutch gearbox. In fact, most of the LaFerrari has been designed from Formula 1, and the seating position was even built based on single-seater racing, with the aid of Fernando Alonso.
The styling of LaFerrari may seem odd, but it’s a clear case of “form-follows-function” as the emphasis was on aerodynamics, and it worked too, with LaFerrari boasting an aerodynamic co-efficient of nearly 3 (In layman’s terms it’s about as slippery as a bar of soap in the shower). The newest Ferrari makes use of an active rear spoiler, and active vanes under the chassis to control air flow for greater stability, aerodynamics, and downforce in all conditions. But what makes this a real Ferrari despite the wondrous tech and styling is that it pays homage to late 1960s Ferrari sports prototypes, with muscular wheel arches and a low, downward sloping nose and bonnet.
The LaFerrari will only be available in limited numbers of 499, all of which have already been purchased for a whopping price of R14,500,000.00. The seats of all 499 will be fixed and custom fitted to the drivers, while both the pedal box and steering wheel are adjustable. This is all housed in a chassis made of no less than 4 types of carbon fibre, with seat and battery compartments built in to increase rigidity by 27% all while decreasing the weight of LaFerrari.
With such insane technology, soon to be filtered down through the range, can anyone dare to take on this 708kW monster? It seems in all likelihood that this new halo is well deserving of being called “The Ferrari”!
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS |
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| Powertrain system: | |
| Total maximum powerTotal maximum torqueV12 maximum power
Maximum revs maximum torque Electric motor output CO2 emissions |
708.4 kW>900 Nm588.4 kW @9000 rpm
9250 rpm 700 Nm @6750 rpm 120 Kw 330 g/km |
| Performance | |
| Maximum speed0-100 km/h0-200 km/h
0-300 km/h |
over 350 km/h<3 sec<7 sec
15 sec |
| Dimensions | |
| LengthWidth Height
Wheelbase Weight distribution |
4702 mm1992 mm1116 mm
2650 mm 41% front, 59% rear |
| Tyres (Pirelli P-Zero) | |
| Front Rear | 265/30 – 19345/30 – 20 |
| Carbon ceramic brakes (Brembo) | |
| FrontRear | 398 x 223 x 36 mm380 x 253 x 34 mm |
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Author: Roger Biermann
