Historically speaking, the Ferrari lineup was always pretty much the same. You had the entry-level V8, a supercar V12, and one or two side-line models like a big 2+2 or a roadster. But starting with the Ferrari F40, another model was added to the standard model line. And each of those models represents the pinnacle of Ferrari's technology of the past decade. The latest model in that line is the LaFerrari which came out in 2013. The LaFerrari was the most technologically advanced, the fastest, and the most expensive Ferrari ever made when it first came out, and it's not much different today. Since a new model is yet to come out, for the time being, the LaFerrari is still the best Ferrari ever made. And even though it came out back in 2013, the LaFerrari's horsepower is still more than impressive, and so is its overall performance. Unfortunately for many, the LaFerrari's price is just as extraordinary. But don't worry, we won't dwell too much on the price in this LaFerrari review as there are many more interesting things to talk about.
We already mentioned how the LaFerrari is the latest in a line of models that represent everything Ferrari has to offer. The model that started it all is arguably the F40, partially because the F40 was a no-compromise racing car that wasn't built as a homologation special for any racing class. And the story is the same for the later models, the F50 and the Enzo. Each of those models was a stripped-down, no-nonsense road car that was built with the sole purpose of being the fastest and most fun track car money could buy. And that they were, including the LaFerrari. And even though the LaFerrari was the first model that had true, direct competitors, it still outshined all of them for the most part. Later on, Ferrari also made a roadster version called the Aperta just in case the standard LaFerrari wasn't exciting enough. Unfortunately, the production was limited to keep both exclusivity and prices up, although the LaFerrari was still produced in bigger numbers than most of its predecessors. So, how many LaFerraris were produced? The answer is 499, plus 210 roadsters, so 709 in total. Of course, each Ferrari LaFerrari was made in Maranello just like all its predecessors were. Now, let's see what makes it so fast and take this Ferrari LaFerrari review to a more fun side of things.
Possibly the most impressive stat of the LaFerrari is the fact that it laps Ferrari's Fiorano test track five seconds faster than the Enzo which is just one generation older. Talk about improvement. And let's remember that the Enzo is no slow car by any means and even more importantly, just how small the Fiorano test track is. Unfortunately, Ferrari never set an official Nurburgring lap with the LaFerrari which would be the perfect showcase of its performance. But regardless, the rest of the LaFerrari specs are more than impressive. LaFerrari's 0-60 time is just 2.5 seconds which is 0.4 seconds faster than the latest T-Spec GTR. Of course, that is thanks to LaFerrari's horsepower and torque figures of 963 and 640 lb-ft. But that's not even the most impressive figure. The LaFerrari's weight sits at just 1,585 kg or 3,495 lb which is about the same weight as modern hatchbacks. All those figures mean the LaFerrari is good for a 218 mph top speed, which interestingly, is just 1 mile an hour faster than the Enzo.
The entire point of a LaFerrari and other models like it is driving, and performance. So, pretty much anything that's not essential or doesn't make it go faster flies right out the door. Or so it used to be. None of the previous models, the F40, F50, and the Enzo had a radio making the LaFerrari the first car in that model lineage to get one. So, has the LaFerrari gone soft compared to previous models? Absolutely not. Sure, you get a radio but it's integrated into the gauge cluster so it doesn't add any significant weight. As for the rest of the interior, it's just as stripped down as its older brothers. You don't even get carpets everything other than the top of the dashboard, the seats, and partially the steering wheel is exposed carbon fiber. With such an aesthetic, it looks more like a Lemans race car than a series production car. And in this context, that's not negative at all. The LaFerrari interior, especially in some interesting colors is definitely a nice place to be in. Especially when you look at that square steering wheel and the rev counter which red lines at 9K RPMs. What makes the LaFerrari design even more fun is that the rev counter and the right screen are all in one piece so you get a good number of different gauge cluster configurations, including different rev counter designs. That will make the LaFerrari's screen interesting even today despite the exponentially advancing infotainment systems.
Ferrari always boasted about how its road cars are a direct extension of its LeMans, especially Formula 1 racing cars. And everyone who has driven one doesn't find that hard to believe. Now, considering that the LaFerrari is the absolute best Ferrari has to offer, it's only natural that it incorporates F1 design cues. You can find those cues both at the front and the back of the LaFerrari exterior. In the front, the nose which sweeps from the top of the hood and hangs over the front bumper is almost identical to those found on F1 cars, and Ferrari even accentuated it with racing stripes on a lot of examples. And in the rear, the huge diffuser and the flashing third brake light complete the picture. The front and rear ends are then tied together with a huge intake on the side profile. And even though the intakes are huge, they are perfectly sculpted into the side profile making them almost invisible which keeps the LaFerrari as stylish as possible and prevents it from looking like a kit car. Overall, the LaFerrari design is drop-dead gorgeous, exciting, and aggressive while still keeping it civilized. That in turn helps the LaFerrari have a timeless design that's still as fresh today as it was ten years ago.
One of the most often mentioned things about LaFerrari's technology is its hybrid system. All of LaFerrari's competitors, the Porsche 918 and McLaren P1 are true hybrids. That means they can drive on electric power alone, plus you can plug them into a standard power outlet and charge them. Naturally, Ferrari had to take the same route if it wanted to stay competitive, but instead of making the LaFerrari a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, it made it a mild hybrid. More specifically, Ferrari used its F1 KERS system in the LaFerrari which means the electric motor bolts to the crankshaft instead of sending power directly to the wheels. That means the LaFerrari doesn't need big batteries that are ridiculously heavy. It also means the hybrid system is there exclusively to make the LaFerrari faster and that makes it much cooler than the alternatives. As for the engine, it's the same basic V12 found in all Ferrari models since the Enzo. The engine has been revised of course and it's pushing 800 horsepower which is the highest output it ever made.
Like all special Ferraris that came before the LaFerrari, the production numbers were limited. At the same time, Ferrari didn't sell them on a first come first serve basis instead you had to qualify for one, and even then you could only buy one if Ferrari hand-picked you for whichever reason. Then, after you buy it, you can't sell it for over a year, otherwise, you will be banned from buying special Ferraris in the future. So, what does all that mean? Well, it means that people who decided to sell their Ferrari a day after purchasing one could get double what they paid for it. And unfortunately, the prices haven't settled at all by now. So, how much is a LaFerrari worth? The average price for a coupe LaFerrari is right around $3M with prices continually rising and some examples going for over $4M. And the cheapest LaFerraris we have seen are selling for just over $2.5M. If you are looking for a Ferrari LaFerrari for sale, you can always try your luck at Exotic Car Trader.
This Ferrari LaFerrari review really doesn't do justice to a car such as this, but then neither does a photograph, and even a video barely does. Regardless, the LaFerrari is such a car that nobody needs a test drive to know that will be arguably the best driving experience ever, although a test drive would be nice. If you are after a LaFerrari or any other exotic or luxury vehicle, Exotic Car Trader will help you with sourcing the car, negotiating, paperwork, and logistics. Essentially, we can help you with every step of the process. We can also do the same if you are looking to sell a car or trade one. In the end, the LaFerrari is and will remain one of the best cars road Ferrari has ever built regardless of what comes after it. Yes, it's that good.
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