Geneva 2013: Ferrari LaFerrari

5 March, 2013

J-C Etter

Secrets surrounding the successor of the Ferrari Enzo are finally unveilled. Known in enthusiast circles under its project name (F150) or its speculative name (F70), it will finally be named LaFerrari.

Major themes for the new hyper Ferrari have been known for a long time. Ferrari had presented in 2007 the Mille Chili study where the ingredients of a future compacte and light Ferrari, with fixed seats and adjustable pedals and steeering wheel were featured. In 2010 came the HY Kers study, which, on the basis of a Ferrari 599 GTB, presented a hybrid version of the V12 engine. Ferrari had also presented at the 2012 Paris autoshow the naked carbon shell of the future flagship of the model range.

Limited to 499 units (Ferrari announced it holds deposits from more than 700 prospects), the LaFerrari – we will have to get it used to call it that way – is built around a 6262 cm3 V12 putting out 800 hp at 9000 rpm and revs up to 9250 rpm, a record for this type of engine displacement. Compression ratio is 13.5:1 and specific power is 128hp per liter of displacement. The v12 is coupled to an electric motor of 163 ch, bringing combined power to a total of 963 hp. Batteries can be recharged under braking of when the engine produces excess torque.

Ferrari engineers put the high low rev torque characteristics of the electric engine to good use as it allowed them to tune the fuel engine for high revs. Peak torque is in excess of 900 Nm, 700 Nm coming from the V12 at 6750 rpm. Performance figures set the 0-100 km/h acceleration in less than 3 seconds, 0-200 km/h under 7 seconds, and the Fiorano factory racetrack lap time in less than 1’20” – 5 seconds faster than an Enzo, 3 seconds less than the F12 berlinetta.

Tires are 265/30R19 Pirelli P-Zero at the front, and 345/30 R 20 at the rear. Overal dimensions are 4702 mm long, 1992 mm in width, and 1116 mm in height for a 2650 mm wheelbase. Weight balance is 41% front, 59% rear. Weight figures have not been disclosed.