Ferrari F80 succeeds LaFerrari with 1184bhp F1 V6 powertrain

All in, the powertrain sends a combined 1184bhp to all four wheels for a claimed 0-62mph in 2.15sec and 0-124mph in just 5.75sec. This trumps both the McLaren W1 and the Mercedes-AMG One.

Different modes offer varying power levels, with Hybrid, Performance and Qualify selectable via the eManettino switch on the steering wheel.

There is no pure-electric mode, as on the 296, because the F80 is not a plug-in hybrid: its 2.3kWh battery serves to boost power and allows low-speed, short-distance engine-off running.

While the default Hybrid mode optimises the powertrain for efficiency, Performance and Qualify modes give access to the F80’s Boost Optimisation function, which records the track during a sighting lap and then delivers power boosts when needed on the next pass – on straights or uphill sections, for example.

Aerodynamics

The F80 draws on the aerodynamic expertise of Ferrari’s top-class motorsport teams to maximise downforce.

As Ferrari’s chief product development boss, Gianmaria Fulgenzi, explained, the underbody of the new F80 is heavily inspired by the firm’s F1 car, with large barge boards used to channel air underneath the car.

Up front, the aggressively styled nose is dominated by a huge ‘S-Duct’, which takes inspiration from the 499P and moves air over the cabin and towards the rear.

The black fascia across the nose, which is of a similar vein to that of the new 12Cilindri, features a small lip at the top edge to channel air over the top of the cabin to the rear wing.

Endowing the radical F80 with greater visual presence is the active rear wing, which adjusts not only its height but also its angle to optimise downforce and minimise drag.

With help from a huge rear diffuser, the rear of the car is able to create up to 590kg of downforce.

All in, the new F80 generates up to 1000kg of downforce at 155mph (250kph), which puts it on par with the McLaren W1; Ferrari says the front end alone can generate up to 460kg of downforce. In comparison, an F1 car generates some 1200kg at the same speed.

Chassis

At 4840mm long, 2060mm wide and 1130mm tall, the F80 is marginally bigger than the W1, and it is 125kg heavier at 1525kg (dry).

However, the mix of lightweight, race-honed materials (carbonfibre, titanium and aluminium) used in its construction make it 60kg lighter than its LaFerrari predecessor. The F80’s chassis is also 50% stiffer than its forebear’s.

The cell and roof are made from carbonfibre, with the front and rear subframes made from aluminium.

Ferrari has also used the front subframe for heat management purposes, with the hollow structure used as cooling ducts for the brakes.

Crucial to the F80’s set-up is the active suspension, which is powered by four 48V actuators. 3D printing is used to create parts of the double-wishbone set-up employed by the F80.

“We developed the system with Multimatic because it helped us with the active suspension on the Purosangue,” said Fulgenzi.

“In the F80, the system is totally new. The centre of gravity is naturally lower, with most of the car’s weight in the centre of the car.

“Also with the aerodynamics, we need to keep the car stable and balanced through corners, and the active suspension is the perfect system to ensure this.”

Design

Draped over the lightweight carbonfibre chassis is a design that is “absolutely new” and avoids “anything nostalgic”, according to designer Flavio Manzoni, who cited spaceships and sci-fi as the inspiration for the car’s outlandish look.

The influence of icons from past Ferrari is evident, with the pronounced front wheel arches nodding to the F40 and Enzo, while the rear styling echoes that of the classic 330 P3.

Early discussions about making the F80 a single-seater did not come to fruition, but the cabin has been designed primarily for the driver with what Ferrari calls a ‘1+’ configuration.

This translates to an asymmetrical layout that gives the driver priority in the cabin, while relegating the passenger to a ‘seat’ that’s offset and carved into the chassis.