HYPER-TENSION

LIKE CICADAS, NEW FERRARI AND MCLAREN SPECIALS EMERGE AT REGULAR INTERVALS.

- MIKE AUSTIN

Ferrari F80

Every decade or so since the late Eighties, Ferrari's latest flagship supercar aligns with the debut of an equivalent McLaren and Porsche. Porsche has yet to release its latest. But Ferrari and McLaren have just unveiled their newest specials, and the similarities between the F80 and W1 are surprising. Both cars make heavy use of active aerodynamics, claim more than 2200 pounds of downforce, use hybrid power, and have active suspension systems with 3-D-printed parts.

One key difference is the Ferrari's pair of front electric motors, which together with a rear motor contribute 296 hp of the F80's 1184-hp total and presumably will make the car's extreme performance more user-friendly than that of the rear-drive W1. Ferrari plans to build 799 F80 coupes, with no word yet on future variants. The car is unlikely to be cross-shopped against the W1, as both automakers strongly prefer to sell to loyal existing customers, although a lucky few might own both. Still, the coincident launches should fuel as much animosity between fan bases as the 2025 F1 season.

A. Air routes through the S-duct and up through the hood, creating downforce. A small flap under the nose can flip down, stalling airflow to the duct and redirecting it under the car to reduce drag at high speeds.

B. Like the Ferrari SF90, the F80 has two front electric motors. Here they make up to 282 hp. The new hypercar uses a smaller 2.3-kWh battery to save weight.