Autoblog reported earlier today (March 5, 2013) that Ferrari officially unveiled its 2014 LaFerrari at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. It’s no coincidence that Ferrari waited a little over a week to unveil specifications after McLaren released information on its own hypercar, the 2014 McLaren P1. Both have similar power figure, s produced by hybrid power-trains and both claim to be made specifically for drivers. Ferrari has pulled all their best tricks in producing this engineering marvel and a toe to toe competition is inevitable to crown king of the hypercar kingdom. Passion versus Technology. For now here are some of the details on the 2014 LaFerrari. (Also see official reveal video below!)
Ferrari’s President Luca Di Montezolmo, in the official press release said it best concerning the name,
“We chose to call this model LaFerrari 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."
The basic architecture and design of the 2014 LaFerrari is, like McLaren's P1, heavily influenced by Formula one with factory drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa putting their inputs at every step. For one, the whole chassis is made out of 4 different carbon fibers. The hybrid powertrain posed a challenge for Ferrari, but they've placed it low and in the middle for ideal weight distribution (41 percent front /59 percent rear). Driving position was heavily influenced by Formula 1’s single seaters.
Unlike the McLaren powered by a twin turbo V8, the 2014 LaFerrari is powered by a high revving (9250 rpm) V12 pushing out 808 HP and 516 lbs-ft of torque coupled to an electric motor that delivers an additional 160 HP. Combined total power is 950 HP and 663 lbs-ft of torque. All this power is harnessed by a seven speed F1 Dual clutch gearbox.
Performance figures are as follows.
- Maximum speed over 218mph ( which happens to be McLaren P1's top speed!)
- 0-62 mph <3 sec
- 0-124 mph <7 sec
- 0 -186 mph 15 sec
You can credit mother as the inspiration for the body's form as the aerodynamics were tested to perfection in an F1 wind tunnel. In addition, active aero (front diffusers and rear spoilers) means that the cars computer is constantly adjusting the levels of aerodynamics to maximize the cars performance.
According to the design team led by Flavio Manzoni,
“ The car links function and form keeping in mind Ferrari’s heritage.This is most evident in its side profile: the car has a sharp, downward-sloping nose and a very low bonnet which emphasizes its muscular wheel arches 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.”
This is one of the best looking hypercars to come from Italy in a long time and should restore the faith of a few Ferrari Faithful.
Souce: Autoblog
Comments