The Ferrari SF90 Stradale's Electric Super Power

An axial-flux motor might sound like something more suited to time travel, but Ferrari’s hybrid SF90 employs it for the next best thing

- Louis Cordony

TWIN POWER The SF90’s front motors help with torque vectoring during cornering, energy regeneration as well as aiding acceleration up to 210km/h. They also are responsible for driving the SF90 solely on electric power as far as 25km and as fast as 135km/h. The claim is 0-200km/h in 6.7sec.

DIVIDE, CONQUER Although the battery’s 162kW max-discharge falls short of the three electric motor’s combined 348kW output, the system acts as torque-fill for the V8. The front electric motors even use regen as traction control under acceleration.

BACK TRACK Since the rear YASA electric motor has no clutch to disengage from the engine, the front Magneti Marelli electric motors push the SF90 backwards in lieu of a reverse gear in the eight-speed dual clutch – a trick that has helped shave 10kg from Ferrari’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

CHARGIN’ UP Containing 84 lithium-ion cells, the 350-volt battery pack weighs in at 72kg. It’s a big part of the SF90 hybrid’s 270kg weight gain but an EV car’s battery can weigh as much as 500kg. Braking regeneration charges it at 140kW, while wall plugs can only manage to charge it at 3.5kW.