The Ferrari F80: A new era of hypercars – technological progress meets tradition

Market launch

The launch of a new Ferrari model is always a special moment for car enthusiasts all over the world. Since 1947, the Italian company has been presenting thoroughbred sports cars with magnificent lines and powerful engines that have taken it to the top of its segment and made it one of the most recognizable names in the automotive industry. However, in addition to all these coveted sports cars, GTs and a long list of racing cars, Ferrari is also known for producing a race car-derived hypercar with dramatic styling, immense power, extreme driving dynamics and a horrendous price tag. These esoteric machines have a special place in Ferrari’s history and are an integral part of the company’s philosophy. For this reason, the car world has been abuzz with excitement since the first official photos of the stunning Ferrari F80 surfaced. This dramatic machine is the latest addition to Ferrari’s fantastic range of cars. But it is much more than just aggressive styling and a powerful engine. It’s a huge technological leap with controversial technology and ballistic performance, and that’s what makes it so exciting and important.

The youngest member of a very exclusive family

Before we explain what makes the new Ferrari F80 so unique, we need to take a step back and provide some context. The F80 is only the sixth car of its kind in Ferrari’s history, with the previous five already being Ferrari legends. This exclusive series featuring the Ferrari 288 GTO, a mid-engined homologation car, had a fire-breathing V8 turbo engine and racing components. The 288 GTO was designed to compete in the legendary Group B rally championship, but arrived too late and never had a chance to compete. As a result, its production was limited to just 272 units and was only offered for three years (1984 to 1987).

However, the 288 GTO paved the way for the iconic Ferrari F40, which was launched at the end of 1987 as a commemorative model for Ferrari’s 40th birthday. The F40 was largely based on the 288, but had fantastic styling, more power and better performance. Again, it was a barely disguised racing car with minimal handling characteristics; nevertheless, it became a huge success with wealthy customers and one of the most successful supercars of all time.

The successor to the mighty F40 was called the Ferrari F50 and was presented in 1995. This time Ferrari was not inspired by turbocharged rally monsters, but by its outstanding Formula 1 portfolio. The Ferrari F50 featured a high-revving naturally aspirated V12 engine, a carbon fiber chassis taken directly from race cars, and a roof that enhanced the driving experience. Although Ferrari tried to hide this, it was slightly slower than the F40, which is why only 349 were built.

The successor to the F50, simply called the Ferrari Enzo, appeared in 2002 with even more power, a screaming naturally aspirated V12 engine and a Formula 1-inspired automatic gearbox. It had the aggressive design and driving dynamics of a real racing car and was produced in a limited edition of just under 500 units.

In 2013, Ferrari shocked the automotive world once again when the company unveiled the Ferrari LaFerrari hypercar. Behind the controversial name was an even more controversial car – a hybrid machine with a V12 engine and KERS motors (similar to those used in Formula 1), which delivered an insane 950 horsepower. The LaFerrari was a rolling showcase for new technologies and advanced materials, and all 499 examples sold out within days.

Photo by Yannis Zaugg on Unsplash

The Ferrari F80 2026

Ferrari has waited 11 years to unveil the successor to the LaFerrari, but judging by the initial information and official photos, it was worth the wait. The company has already announced that the F80 will go into production in 2025. The name was not chosen by chance, and just like the F40 a few decades earlier, the F80 will celebrate the 80th anniversary of this iconic company. Ferrari has also announced the price for this unique hypercar – 3.6 million euros. However, all 799 planned vehicles are already sold out.

The design

When we talk about hypercars, design is always a key point. The car must be eye-catching, memorable, aggressive and fast, even when stationary. In the case of the Ferrari F80, all of these points are fulfilled, but there is one more special feature. Recently, Ferrari has been exploring its past with various designs inspired by its legendary models. Cars like the Daytona SP3 or the new 12 Cilindri are the perfect examples of retro-futuristic style. The F80 continues this theme and draws inspiration from its predecessor, the legendary F80. If youlook at the sharp lines of the front end, the exposed headlights and especially the slits on the sloping roof, you will recognize the characteristic details of the F40. Even the design of the rear spoiler looks similar to the F40. However, the idea was not to copy the recognizable lines, but to present a new shape with presence, aggressive stance and dramatic styling.

The drivetrain

Until now, all Ferrari hypercars have had majestic engines, either in the form of V8s or V12s. However, the Ferrari F80 is completely different. Behind the driver sits a 3.0-liter V6 engine that produces exactly 888 hp. In almost exact form, this engine was used in the Ferrari 499P, a prototype race car that won the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. But like its predecessor LaFerrari, the F80 is also a hybrid with three electric motors, two of which drive the front axle, making it an all-wheel drive vehicle. The electric motors produce 296 hp, giving the F80 a total output of 1,184 hp. Although Ferrari purists might be annoyed by the lack of a V12 engine and all-wheel drive, the relentless pursuit of performance and new trends in the car industry are leading the way.

The performance

No one doubts the outstanding performance of the new Ferrari F80. This hypercar reaches 100 km/h in just 2.15 seconds and 200 km/h in a crazy 5.75 seconds. The top speed is 350 km/h. These figures are significantly better than those of the LaFerrari, which was one of the fastest cars in the world when it was launched.

The active suspension

Although most enthusiasts will focus on the performance figures, the revolutionary active suspension is a very important aspect of the new F80. Ferrari already introduced this system on the Purosangue model, but it has been improved for the F80. The active suspension is an advanced suspension system that can control the behavior of the car independently of external influences. It is not an active suspension, which has been the standard in the industry for years, but a fully active system with enormous possibilities. The main purpose of active suspension is to make the vehicle more stable and comfortable in all driving conditions, to reduce external influences and to offer driving dynamics at the highest level. An electronically controlled active suspension and Multimatic True Active Spool Dumper create a precise system that works without stabilizers. In real life, the Ferrari F80 will be impressively comfortable on the road, but flat and stable like a race car on the track. Because the vehicle adapts to the driving style rather than the surface, it offers a unique driving experience with minimal body roll and movement.

The inside

Despite the proud price, the interior of the F80 is spartan and race car-like. It is dominated by a square carbon steering wheel, a cockpit with only a few commands and a digital instrument cluster. Naturally, the steering wheel is multifunctional and features the famous Manettino switch for controlling the driving modes. Interestingly, the driver’s seat is upholstered in red, while the passenger seat is black. The lack of screens also shows that the F80 is a serious driving machine and that the driver should only concentrate on driving.

Conclusion

In a world that is moving towards electric cars, the appearance of a Ferrari F80 is an act of rebellion. The insanely expensive hypercar with an extremely powerful engine, modern technology and revolutionary chassis shows that the pinnacle of motoring lies not in battery-powered vehicles, but in a sophisticated combination of modern technology, traditional approach and retro influences. The result is an amazing machine that is deeply rooted in the tradition of this famous company, yet sets new records and standards in this very exclusive segment. Once again, Ferrari has presented the ultimate hypercar and a worthy successor to the legendary brand.