New Ferrari F80 Coming Soon: Specs, price and release info

Ferrari knows how to create an icon and now it reckons it has built an all-new one. Enter the F80 – the most powerful road-going Ferrari to date. Purists may be disheartened to hear the F80 is not powered by a hulking V12 engine, but instead a V6 engine has been combined with a complicated hybrid system. However, the F80 sits firmly in hypercar territory with its 0-62mph time of 2.15 seconds, its use of Formula 1 technology and a limited production run ensuring exclusivity. The F80 has been honed to maximise performance on the track, but Ferrari says it’s a car you could use day-to-day. Time will tell whether the F80 will gain a place in the history books alongside the GTO, F40 and LaFerrari, but based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s likely Ferrari has succeeded in its ambition.
• The F80 is Ferrari’s latest hypercar, taking tech from Formula 1 and channelling it into a road-going car • Key features include a hybrid V6 engine, butterfly doors and an off-set passenger seat disguised by the trim to create a driver-focused interior • The F80 provides up to 1,200 horsepower and a top speed of 217mph • Likely to arrive in the next few years • Expected to cost upwards of £3m

The F80 is an impressive beast with its butterfly doors, bulging wheel arches and spine-like engine compartment. At the front, Ferrari has used similar styling to the 12Cilindri. An imposing band across the bonnet creates a visor between the headlights, avoiding a resemblance to a human face and instead giving the F80 a purposeful look. The body of the F80 is made from carbon fibre and shaped using technology borrowed from Formula 1. Ferrari has made great efforts to make the F80 as aerodynamic as possible by adding a powered rear wing which raises to reduce downforce when needed. This is helped by a rear diffuser and, flat underbody and the shape of the wings.

While there is space for two inside, the F80 has been designed to be driver-focused; Ferrari describes the layout as a “1+” configuration. The driver sits in a red bucket seat, while the dark upholstery of the passenger seat leaves it camouflaged against the rest of the trim, so you won’t even notice it’s there. This seat is also set further back allowing for the total width of the car to be reduced. The centre console is angled towards the driver and there’s no infotainment screen in the middle to distract. The F80 features a new smaller steering wheel which has been flattened at the top and bottom. In contrast to other recent Ferraris, physical buttons have been reintroduced allowing the driver to feel where they are without taking their eyes off the road. You’ll also get the standard suite of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and lane departure warnings. Given our experience with some of these systems from other manufacturers, we hope Ferrari will make it easy to turn off any overly intrusive functions so you can fully enjoy the driving experience.

The F80 combines a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with a hybrid system like the one used in the Le Mans winning 499P. Ferrari has introduced an electric motor into each turbocharger to make the power delivery more precise and to increase the F80’s responsiveness in every gear. The combination of internal combustion and a rear electric motor, using technology from Formula 1, gives the F80 up to 1,200 horsepower. Further use of electrification by adding two motors to the front axle means the F80 is capable of four-wheel drive to optimise performance while the active suspension adapts to the road surface. Ferrari claims the F80 is easy to drive in all conditions so it can be used as a daily driver. Despite the lack of V12 engine, Ferrari says it will have a distinctive exhaust note and engine burble, so it could be tempting to spend as much time behind the wheel as possible.
Unlike some hybrids, the F80 cannot be driven in an electric-only mode, instead you can choose between ‘Hybrid’, ‘Performance’ and ‘Qualify’. ‘Hybrid’ mode is geared towards efficiency, ‘Performance’ is intended for track use but keeps the battery at around 70 per cent charged, while ‘Qualify’ takes things a step further allowing the driver to use all the power. The two performance focused modes have a ‘Boost Optimisation’ feature where the F80 can learn the curves of a circuit from an initial lap and then automatically deliver extra power at opportune moments.

The F80 is likely to cost over £3m and will be sold on an invitation only basis with production limited run of only 799 vehicles. Buyers will have a seemingly infinite number of personalisation choices inside and out to make their F80 unique and can expect to receive their car during in the next few years.

This year Ferrari launched the 12Cilindri which have just arrived in the UK, so we are not expecting any further models any time soon.

It’s been a good month for hypercar fans as McLaren has also revealed a new F1 inspired hybrid - the W1. With just 399 set to be made, this is even more exclusive than the Ferrari, and provides up to 1,275 horsepower. Alternatively, there’s the ludicrously powerful Bugatti Tourbillon, with headline statistics capable of eclipsing both the Ferrari and McLaren.