The Ferrari F80 is the pinnacle of engineering from Maranello, and although many may dismiss it because it lacks the iconic V12 engine, no one can deny that its performance far exceeds what many thought was possible.
Let’s take a closer look at why the new Ferrari powertrain works and how it achieves its incredible performance figures.
With a staggering 1200 horsepower (882 kW) and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 2.15 seconds, the numbers speak for themselves. However, in the age of insane electric supercars, numbers alone can be potentially meaningless without context.
„Raw performance numbers may seem like just numbers without an exciting experience to back them up. But, as with any Ferrari, these numbers are only significant if they are achievable while driving and put a smile on your face,“ said Gianmaria Fulgenzi, Ferrari’s Chief Product and Development Director, during the unveiling of the F80 in Italy this week.
Fulgenzi explained that the purpose of the new F80 was not just to add more horsepower for the sake of it, but to do so in a way that would make the car usable and fun. This helps explain the 1050 kg of downforce available at 250 km/h.
Setting aside the engine and electric components for now, the reason all systems work together seamlessly is the new e4WD system from Ferrari, which the company claims is a step above the technology in the recently introduced SF90 XX Stradale.
The Side Slip Control (SSC) system has reached its ninth iteration and now allows drivers to look like masterful pilots, even if they’re not. According to Fulgenzi, the F80 even encourages playful drifting at the limit.
While there may not be a V12 under the hood (find out why here), the V6 unit in the F80 boasts an impressive pedigree. Not only do Ferrari’s F1 engines have the same number of cylinders, but the F80’s engine is derived almost directly from the Le Mans-winning race car.
„This is based on the same 120-degree V6 architecture that raced and won at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but all components are new,“ said Fulgenzi.
Paired with an eight-speed gearbox, the V6 engine achieves a new record specific power output for a Ferrari production engine, with 300 horsepower (224 kW) per liter.
Some innovations include the introduction of an electric turbo solution for the first time in a Ferrari. Two turbochargers are connected to two 48V electric motors (one on each turbo), which spool up the compressor at low engine speeds.
Ferrari claims that this not only helps with the typical responsiveness of Ferrari engines but also solved an engineering challenge that allowed the company to increase the size of the turbines without introducing lag.
The V6 engine with twin-turbocharging is combined with a completely new 800V hybrid architecture (another first for Ferrari). It all starts with a compact Kinetic Motor Generator Unit (MGU-K), inspired by F1 and mounted at the front, connected to the engine with a race-derived gearbox.
The MGU-K is the main power generator for the 800V system and drives a brand-new front axle electric motor, providing a maximum power of 208.8 kW.
Ferrari’s level of internal development is so high that the system in the F80 is more compact and 36 kg lighter than that in the SF90 XX Stradale – which has just started coming off the production line.
Two front electric motors (one for each front wheel) were designed in-house and stem from systems found in Ferrari F1 cars. This means a carbon fiber core rotor, allowing higher speeds with less weight and smaller dimensions.
The two on the front axle enable a weight reduction of 1.4 kg compared to the SF90 XX.
Ferrari also manufactured the battery itself to withstand the immense loads not only from the powertrain but also from the aerodynamics. The interior of the F80 is entirely made of carbon fiber. Ferrari made the driver’s side wider than the passenger’s side to prioritize the driver in the F80.
„We did this to reduce the dimensions of the cabin, improve aerodynamics, and reduce weight,“ said Fulgenzi.
Compared to the LaFerrari, the chassis weighs five percent less and has 50 percent more torsional rigidity and beam stiffness.
From an aerodynamic perspective, what’s underneath the F80 is unlike anything seen beneath a road car. It features a three-level wing and an S-duct, along with a diffuser flap, providing 460 kg of downforce at 250 km/h.
To match the front downforce figures, an active rear wing was installed at the back, fully integrated into the car’s design when closed and the car is off. It activates based on acceleration, steering wheel movement, and heavy braking.
The active rear wing provides 590 kg of downforce at 250 km/h.
The F80’s suspension system also takes cues from its racing cars. The horizontal damper and springs were provided by the same supplier used for GT race cars. Ferrari manufactures the upper control arm of the F80 in-house using 3D metal printing technology borrowed from the F1 team, which Ferrari claims saves 5 kg.
The F80 also becomes the first Ferrari road-legal car to leave the factory with CCM-R plus brake discs, the same ones used in the 296 Challenge car. The company claims that the discs offer three times the lifespan of a standard track-use brake system.
Australians can take pride in knowing that the F80 rides on Carbon Revolution wheels, made in Geelong, Victoria. The new generation of carbon fiber wheels, with a completely new five-spoke style instead of the current ten-spoke design, can be painted or fully carbon (or a mix).
There is still much to learn about the Ferrari F80’s powertrain, such as its ability to keep the battery and powertrain cool, how long it takes to recharge the battery from empty, and if it will ever run out at all.
What we do know is that Ferrari has decided not to have a larger battery and will offer a plug-in system to save weight. Although there is a good reason to believe that the 2.28 kWh battery could provide a small electric-only range, the Italian company has chosen not to go down that route, as this car is about performance, not efficiency.
Vehicle Specifications
Tire, Wheel, and Brake Specifications
With its groundbreaking technology, stunning performance figures, and meticulous attention to detail, the Ferrari F80 is a true marvel of automotive engineering. It pushes the boundaries of what is possible in a road car and sets a new standard for supercars of the future.