Some people say the Ferraris became overrated. They claim they’re too expensive, should always break performance records… But sooner or later a new Ferrari arrives, and everybody else silences. People from all over the world start struggling to acquire one of its own, moving an amount of money which is almost as countless as the wallpapers set by the fans as a symbol of this passion which any other automaker motivates. Having that in mind, how could someone question Ferrari’s title of world’s most powerful brand?
Part of such reputation comes from the fact of the Italians sticking to what made them famous on the first place. Like Land Rover’s typical off-road abilities, Fiat’s expertise at compact vehicles or Volvo’s legendary concern with safety, Ferrari’s difference from the competitor automakers comes from its overall image. LaFerrari once again introduces this worldwide-known set of features starting with the iconic red, but there’s much more worth attention. For instance, its very name goes without the brand’s surname, making this car unmistakable in the same way as Madonna, Sting or Enzo Ferrari, the brand’s founder which was (even more) immortalized with having the company’s previous top-notch car named after him. That’s why the newcomer’s name is the Italian expression for “The Ferrari”, along with official information such as the title of most powerful Ferrari ever built. When it comes to the styling, it’s interesting to observe there are several references both to the present and the past. The car’s overall silhouette leads to think of an evolved Enzo, but at the same time it’s much more futuristic. The sleek headlights took inspiration from recent models such as FF, while the circular tail lights on a Ferrari are nothing but historical. And while F40 and F50 have strongly-wedged fronts, LaFerrari reproduces Enzo’s concept in a taller double-deck element, which juggles with light and shadow to give a very imponent appearance without getting out of proportion
But if all that is some kind of innovation among these supercars, have you noticed something special about that strong line after the side intakes which ends contouring the rear? That’s Ferrari’s way of drawing central engines’ hoods, like at this and this examples. Finally, the glass area had the sheetmetal around it in black for a reason: the colored part becomes hard not to remind of a F-1 vehicle, just like the fascinating interior – the red-and-black room has everything turned into the driver, although a companion is taken with plenty of comfort in this one. As you’ve already read several times, this car brings F12berlinetta’s V12 6.2L improved to achieve 789 hp at 9000 rpm and 516 lb-ft-torque, but paired to an electric engine which adds 161 hp to complete 950 hp and more than 660 lb-ft of torque, using a seven-speed automated transmission. Such power is applied to hand-made chassis with four types of carbon fiber, resulting on much better torsional rigidity than Enzo’s along with amazing 2800 pounds of weight, even with the electric engine and batteries. If you add to that Ferrari’s most advanced technology kit and performance items such as carbon-ceramic brakes, it’s easy to believe in a 98-feet smaller space to a 124-0 mph stop. When you’re moving one of the 499 units the other way, though, you’ll be able to accelerate to 62 mph in less than three seconds, to 124 mph in less than seven, to 186 mph in around 15… and reach the top speed of about 217 mph.
