LaFerrari… the ultimate Ferrari
Only 499 members of the happy few, prepared to part with a cool 1.2 million euros, will be able to drive the first hybrid car with 963 hp under the hood. From the ambitious project undertaken by Ferrari to reality, there was just one step, taken by the illustrious Italian racing stable with delectation…
For engineering acumen was indeed required to produce this limited series, whether that borrowed from the field of GTs or that of Formula 1. Never before has a production car with the famous Prancing Horse attained these performances. 800 hp for the V12 gasoline engine, 163 for the electric motor. Fitted with the Hy-Kers system, this supercar "reaches the highest peaks of efficiency", promises the designer. Ideal weight distribution and a centre of gravity lowered by 35 mm… Launched at full throttle, the car exceeds 350 km per hour, leaping from 0 to 100 km/hr in just 3 seconds.
Ferrari's design centre run by Flavio Manzoni worked hand-in-hand with the technical departments to find the exact balance between spearhead esthetics and aerodynamic functionality. The double wishbone front slopes downwards, with the extremely low hood setting off impressive wheel arches recalling two exuberant prototypes built in the 1960's, the 330 P4 and 312 P. The lowered wing seems to be suspended from a central pillar hidden under the front of the car, a reference to Formula 1. The rear is all about power and awesome drive.
As regards the cockpit, also largely inspired by F1, you won't be surprised to learn that Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa participated in its design. A fixed seat, adjustable wheel and pedals, as in racing cars. For the first time in a Ferrari, the dashboard features a digital 12.3’’ screen.
Though yet to be confirmed, some observers talk about a remarkable speed achieved on the Nürburgring Nordschleife track by LaFerrari XX, the extreme race-track version being prepared for the beginning of next year. Better than that of the Porsche 918 Spyder or McLaren P1. One thing's for sure, the competition had better be ready…
