IN A WORLD OF SLOWING ENGINE DEVELOPMENT AND THE LEGAL requirement for a percentage of zero-emissions driving capability, what sort of future beckons for the mid-engined sports car and supercar? 'Niche' would be a fair assumption, 'bleak' another outlook if we're being pessimistic. 'Mixed' would be a middle ground we can work with.
The traditional protagonists who operate within this sector are already committed to midship engine placement. Over 6000 of Ferrari's 13,663 total sales in 2023 were of the 296 and SF90, both hybrid models and both laying the foundations for what's to come, including a replacement for the hybrid-powered LaFerrari and Lewis Hamilton's first company car when he moves to Maranello in 2025. Ferrari's first all-electric car will be both frontand rear-engined, with motors on both axles and a battery in the floor, the vacated engine bay perfect for some tailored luggage.
If you still pine for a pure petrol-powered Ferrari, you'll need to find your way onto the special customers list and hope the mid-rear-engined Daytona SP3 leads to further V12-engined specials.
Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Evo UK.
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Denne historien er fra April 2024-utgaven av Evo UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Cupra Formentor Abt
It's farewell to the original Cupra Formentor with an Abt-tuned run-out package. It's a quietly excellent car; just a shame about the price...
Renault Sport Clio 200 Turbo
This misguided departure from the French brand's hot hatch heritage saw the Clio fall from grace
REBIRTH OF AN ICON
The Kalmar 9X9 is a modernday reinterpretation of Porsche's game-changing 959 supercar, with a carbon body and up to 917bhp. And evo is helping to develop it
Volkswagen Golf GTI
The underachieving Mk8 GTI gets a shot at redemption with the new, revised Mk8.5 version. Is it the leap forward it needs to be?
BEST BUYS
FAST FORDS FROM THE CORTINA TO THE ESCORT AND THE FIESTA, Ford is responsible for some of the most popular cars in British history. But alongside these everyday machines it has also produced a stream of desirable driver's cars.
HY AND DRY
The switch to electric power means an early exit for Hyundai N's brilliant ICE hot hatch duo. We go for a farewell drive in the 120 N
SEXY BEAST
The Vanquish name is back for Aston Martin's latest seriesproduction flagship, with a stunning new look and simply brutal performance from an 824bhp twin-turbo V12
THE JOY OF DRIVING
From mastering the everyday commute to unlocking the full potential of your performance car, our new series will help you become safer, more confident and ultimately more skilled behind the wheel
TINY DANCER
You haven't seen a Mini dance like this before, but then you haven't seen a Mini with a 4-litre M Power V8 under the bonnet and rear-wheel drive. Introducing Vini...
LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO
Grandaddy to the Temerario and the car that transformed Lamborghini was the brilliant, V10-engined Gallardo. We get reacquainted with a Lambo legend
