An iconic name for a car that
encompasses the very best of Prancing Horse passion, technology and exclusivity
The wraps are finally
off the LaFerrari. The Prancing Horse’s eagerly-anticipated limited-series
special, of which just 499 will be built, made its world debut today at the
Geneva International Motor Show.
“We chose to call this model LaFerrari,” declared Ferrari’s President, Luca di
Montezemolo, “because it is the maximum expression of what defines our company
– excellence. Excellence in terms of technological innovation, performance,
visionary styling and the sheer thrill of driving. Aimed at our collectors,
this is a truly extraordinary car which encompasses advanced solutions that, in
the future, will find their way onto the rest of the range, and it represents
the benchmark for the entire automotive industry. LaFerrari is the finest
expression of our company’s unique, unparalleled engineering and design
know-how, including that acquired in Formula 1.
|
For Ferrari the
development of a limited-series special like the LaFerrari represents an
opportunity to experiment with all the technological solutions that will later
filter down onto the production cars. Of particular significance in this
context is the introduction of the hybrid system which, making full use of the
Scuderia Ferrari’s F1 KERS know-how, has resulted in a solution that exalts
Ferrari’s fundamental values – performance and driving thrills.
The hybrid technology used, known as HY-KERS, represents the
perfect combination of maximum performance and lower emissions. LaFerrari in
fact emits just 330 g/km of CO2 but without resorting
to electric-only drive which would not fit the mission of this model. The
HY-KERS system is, however, designed so that in future applications a car can
be driven using exclusively electric power for a few kilometres and, during
development testing, a full-electric version of LaFerrari achieved just 220
g/km of CO2 emissions on the combined cycle.
The LaFerrari is
equipped with dynamic controls that are integrated for the first time ever on a
Ferrari road car with active aerodynamics and the HY-KERS system. Thanks to
Ferrari’s proprietary logic which govern all the systems, the car can achieve
absolute levels of performance, aerodynamic efficiency and handling without any
form of compromise in any area. A very advanced and uncompromising approach was
also taken with the interior design which features an HMI inspired by F1
single-seaters.
Architecture
The LaFerrari’s
architecture posed the first challenge for the Prancing Horse team at the
planning stage of the design. The aim was to achieve ideal weight distribution
(59% at the rear) and a compact wheelbase despite the extra bulk of the hybrid
system. The result is that all of the masses are situated between the car’s two
axles and as close as possible to thefloor to lower its centre of gravity (by
35 millimetres) and thereby guarantee dynamic handling and compact dimensions.
The layout of the
cabin made a significant contribution in this regard. The seat is fixed and
tailored to the driver while both the pedal box and steering wheel are
adjustable. The driving position is similar to that of a single-seater and was
designed after consultation with the Scuderia Ferrari drivers, Fernando Alonso
and Felipe Massa, who played an active role throughout the entire development
process.
The LaFerrari’s
chassis features no less than four different types of carbon-fibre, all
hand-laminated and autoclave-cured in the racing department using the same
design and production methods as the Formula 1 car. This helped optimise the
design: various functions were integrated (e.g. seats and battery compartment)
into the chassis to improve torsional rigidity (+27%) and beam stiffness (+22%)
whilst cutting weight.
Powertrain
The LaFerrari is the
first car in Ferrari history to be powered by the HY-KERS system. The ICE
represents the pinnacle of engine development and research, with a 6262 cc V12
that punches out 800 CV and revs to a maximum of 9,250 rpm, a record for an
engine of this displacement. It also features a very high 13.5:1 compression
ratio and a high specific output equal to 128 CV per litre. The engine is
coupled with a 120 Kw (163 CV) electric motor, giving it a combined power
output of 963 CV.
The high torque levels
available at low revs from the electric motor allowed the engineers to optimise
the internal combustion engine’s performance at higher revs, thus providing a
constant supply of exceptional power throughout the rev range. Total torque
generated is in excess of 900 Nm.
The hybrid system is
composed of two electric motors developed in collaboration with Magneti Marelli
– one powering the driven wheels and the second the ancillaries – and a battery
pack attached to the floor of the chassis consisting of cells that are
assembled in the Scuderia Ferrari department where the KERS for the F138 is
also made. The Scuderia’s expertise allowed considerable savings in weight and
size of the individual components and the batteries weigh just 60 kg while
providing the highest energy density possible for this kind of application.
The batteries are
charged in different ways: under braking (even hard braking with the ABS
active) and every time the V12 produces more torque than required, such as in
cornering. In the latter instance, rather than the being sent to the wheels,
the excess torque is converted to energy and stored in the batteries.
The electric motor is
coupled with the F1 dual-clutch gearbox to the benefit of optimal weight
distribution, but also to boosting energy efficiency as torque is instantly
available to the wheels and, vice versa, from the wheels to the electric motor
in recharging.
Aerodynamics
Active aerodynamics
play an essential role, as they allow a complete adjustability of the car’s
configuration to attain LaFerrari’s exceptional performance.
The engineers’ aim was
to deliver the highest degree of aerodynamic efficiency ever achieved with any
road car, with a coefficient of nearly 3, thanks to technical solutions honed
with CFD analysis and fine-tuned in the F1 Wind Tunnel.
To boost efficiency,
the LaFerrari sports active aerodynamic devices front (diffusers and guide vane
on the underbody) and rear (diffusers and rear spoiler) which generate
downforce when needed without compromising the car’s overall drag coefficient.
These devices deploy automatically on the basis of a number of different
performance parameters which are monitored in real time by the car’s dynamic
vehicle controls, thus guaranteeing the ideal configuration on the basis of the
driving conditions.
Control systems
One further innovative
aspect of the LaFerrari is the integration of its active aerodynamics and
hybrid system with the other dynamic control systems aboard. This means the car
responds intelligently to driver inputs, making for a seamless blend of
unprecedented performance and unparalleled driving emotions.
Proprietary Ferrari
algorithms deliver optimal integration of the electric motor and V12 for
instantaneous response. In cornering, for instance, the HY-KERS keeps the
V12’s revs high to guarantee better acceleration on exit.
The LaFerrari’s Brembo
braking system is also integrated with the hybrid system, and incorporates
several new features, including new lightweight callipers designed to guarantee
correct cooling and carbon-ceramic material (CCM) discs featuring a new
composition.
The car’s extreme
performance potential called for a different tyre set-up, with 265/30 R 19
Pirelli P-Zeros on the front and 345/30 R 20s on the rear.
All in all the car
guarantees maximum driving thrills in every situation and performance levels
are top level: 0-100 km/h in less than 3 seconds and 0-200 km/h in under 7
seconds, a lap time at Fiorano of under 1’20” – 5 seconds faster than the Enzo
and over 3 seconds faster than the F12berlinetta. LaFerrari is thus the fastest
road car in Maranello’s long history.
Styling
The Ferrari design
team led by Flavio Manzoni developed the LaFerrari’s styling working in close
synergy with the engineers to emphasise the exacting link between form and
function. The result is an extreme, innovative design which retains close links
to the marque’s tradition. This is most evident in its side profile: the car
has a sharp, downward-sloping nose and a very low bonnet which emphasises its
muscular wheelarches, a clear nod to the gloriously exuberant forms of
late-1960s Ferrari sports prototypes.
The LaFerrari’s body
has been given a sculptural treatment heavily influenced by its clearly
F1-inspired aerodynamics and a tail section that exudes uncompromising
sportiness.
Inside there’s a
newly-designed steering wheel sporting all the major commands, and the
gear-shift paddles are now longer and more ergonomic. The signature bridge on
which the F1 gearbox functions are clustered has taken on a sleek, suspended
wing-like shape. The whole interior, in fact, has a fiercely track-inspired,
pared-back allure.
The Ferrari range
Aside from the new
limited-series special, the Ferrari stand also features the complete range
which is the most wide-ranging and critically acclaimed in its entire history.
The five models all share the same Ferrari DNA in terms of performance,
driving pleasure and technology, yet each one has its own strongly unique
identity, in line with the company’s philosophy of “different Ferraris for
different Ferraristi”.
Ferrari’s 12-cylinder
GT sports car prowess is represented at Geneva by the FF, the very first
four-seater and four-wheel drive in Prancing Horse history. It will be sporting
a Grigio Ingrid livery with an elegant glass roof and Iroko interior. The FF is
also now seamlessly integrated with Apple technologies, thanks to direct access
to the infotainment system via SIRI voice commands and the adoption of two iPad
Minis as the entertainment system of choice for the rear seat passengers.
Blistering performance
and sublime driving pleasure even at low speeds are assured behind the wheel of
the multi-award-winning F12berlinetta, which is powered by a mid-front V12.
Unique handling characteristics, extreme aerodynamics and an innovative
yet classic design are its signatures. The car on show at Geneva has a Grigio
Silverstone livery and a Sella di Cavallo interior.
Moving on to the
8-cylinders, the California 30, in sophisticated Nero Stellato with a Crema
interior, is a convertible GT that uncompromisingly marries sportiness and
versatility. The California’s already-massive popularity with both press and
public alike grew still further after its V8’s output was upped by 30 hp to 490
hp, and 30 kg was slashed off its overall weight.
The blistering 458
Italia is a sublime, thoroughbred sports car. It and its drop-top sibling, the
458 Spider, are equipped with the same extraordinary mid-rear-mounted V8 engine
which was named International Engine of the Year in both 2011 and 2012. These
two models continue Ferrari’s glorious tradition with this particular layout.
The coupé seen at Geneva sports an aggressive Bianco Avus livery and sleek
black interior with carbon-fibre trim, while the Spider, which dominates the
Tailor-Made extreme personalisation area, takes its inspiration from the
legendary 1957 250 Testa Rossa that sold for a record 16 million dollars at
auction at Pebble Beach in 2011. It has the same red and blue livery and a host
of competition car details in its cabin, not least of which are
suede-upholstered seats and Alutex trim.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
HY-KERS system
Total maximum power
|
963 CV
|
Total maximum
torque
|
>900 Nm
|
V12 maximum power*
|
800 CV @9000 rpm
|
Maximum revs
|
9250 rpm
|
V12 maximum torque
|
700 Nm @6750 rpm
|
Electric motor
output
|
120 Kw (163 CV)
|
CO2 emissions**
|
330 g/km
|
Performance
Maximum
speed
|
over 350 km/h
|
0-100 km/h
|
<3 sec
|
0-200 km/h
|
<7 sec
|
0-300 km/h
|
15 sec
|
ICE
Type
|
65-deg. V12
|
Bore and stroke
|
94 x 752 mm
|
Total displacement
|
6262 cc
|
Compression ratio
|
13.5:1
|
Specific power
|
128 CV/l
|
Dimensions
Length
|
4702 mm
|
Width
|
1992 mm
|
Height
|
1116 mm
|
Wheelbase
|
2650 mm
|
Weight distribution
|
41% fr, 59% r
|
Gearbox
|
|
7-speed DCT
|
Suspension
Front
|
double wishbones
|
Rear
|
multi-link
|
Tyres (Pirelli P-Zero)
|
|
Front
|
265/30 - 19
|
Rear
|
345/30 - 20
|
Carbon ceramic brakes (Brembo)
|
|
Front
|
398 x 223 x 36 mm
|
Rear
|
380 x 253 x 34 mm
|
Electronic controls
ESC
|
stability control
|
High perf ABS/EBD
|
Performance anti
blockage system/electronic brake balance
|
EF1-Trac
|
F1 electronic
traction control integrated with the hybrid system
|
E-Diff 3
|
third generation
electronic differential
|
SCM-E Frs
|
magnetorheological
damping with twin solenoids (Al-Ni tube)
|
Aerodynamics
|
Active
|
* with dynamic ram
effect
**Undergoing homologation
**Undergoing homologation
