Ferrari SF90 Stradale | Time Machine

TIME MACHINE

Words by Richi Makie / Photos by Ferrari

The most exclusive of the five new models revealed by Ferrari during 2019 cannot yet travel forward in time, but without any doubt it will allow you to arrive at your destination before the others, thanks to a further leap forward by a brand capable of transfer the know-how acquired in the world of racing to regularly usable cars on everyday roads. SF90 means precisely this – Scuderia Ferrari 90 – where the number represents the remarkable achievement conquered by the sports division from Maranello. We’re far away those years when racing drivers were fumbled inside a small metal box, at the mercy of their own destiny, but what the new born offers is truly something out of the most optimistic science fiction movies.

Let’s start from the main aspect, or the fact that it is the first plug-in hybrid of the company, with a 4-liter twin-turbo V8 and 780 horsepower that runs with 3 electric motors, two independently positioned on the front axle and the third mounted in the rear area, between the gearbox and the combustion engine, together producing the equivalent of 220 horsepower. The total, if math is not an opinion, exactly reaches 1,000 hp. Now you will imagine that the time comes to mention the weight and therefore performance, then the exorbitant price and praise dynamic qualities that ordinary mortals can only dream of. Not yet, have a bit of patience. Let’s put it this way, the SF90 Stradale, although it represents the maximum expression of engineering development for the brand that more than any other identifies performance and passion, also winks at efficiency. It’s not so much about saving tropical forests, but if you need to move with zero emissions, know that the two electric motors at the front can take you for about 25 km, even reaching a maximum speed of 135 kph.

As you scroll through the infinite product sheet of the SF90 everything takes on an intoxicating charm, bouncing between the qualities in terms of efficiency and immediacy guaranteed by the help of electric motors and passing through aerodynamics that introduces new elements that intend to exploit the most unpredictable air flow, starting from the vortex generator at front and along the underbody, passing through the introduction of the so-called shut-off Gurney, an active wing system at the rear that closes or opens the width under the same spoiler. Aesthetically not too far from the new F8 Tributo, it is precisely in the area of the tail that we notice an even more futuristic design and which gives the SF90 Stradale an hypercar status. In the passenger compartment we have a technology riot, with entirely digital instrumentation that can be managed through the new 16” display, which can be divided into 5 smaller instruments – or full screen as well – simply by acting on the new touch control that guarantees practicality and immediacy, without taking your hands off the steering wheel, since everything is on the right part of it. The manettino is also completely new in this case and indeed, by virtue of the car’s electrical features, it is called eManettino, abandoning the physical selector in favor of four buttons. Among the available driving modes we have eDrive which uses only the two electric motors at the front, the Hybrid standard that optimally manages the various engines, Performance that keeps the petrol engine active and always ready to unleash all the power reserve and finally Qualify, where everything is geared towards maximizing the performance of the four engines.

At this point there is not the slightest doubt that in terms of performance we are facing the worthy heir of the LaFerrari. The SF90 Stradale, with its 4 engines, unloads 1,000 hp on both axles and through an automatic/sequential 8-speed dual clutch transmission. The weight gain due to the hybrid system is around 270 kg, for a total mass of 1,570 kg which does not affect a 0-100 kph in just 2.5 seconds, from 0 to 200 in 6.7 and a top speed of 340 per hour. Maximum power is released at 9,000 rpm, arm in arm with a torque of 900 Nm, but Ferrari ensures that these numbers will once again be manageable, even if you are not used to spending most of your working time in a racing suit. It takes about € 530,000 to take home a car that offers future at your fingertips and able to make the “Back to the Future” DeLorean looks incredibly useless – even just in electric mode. If, however, you are truly unconventional, you will be pleased to know that you can opt for the version called Assetto Fiorano, which can count on special Multimatic shock absorbers such as those of the GT championship race cars, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tires with softer compound and an additional weight saving of at least 30 kg.