The 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show and it’s a beautiful successor to the Ferrari Enzo. Limited to just 499 units, it’s aimed squarely at collectors looking to own the most technologically advanced, innovative and exceptional vehicle that Ferrari has produced in its long history.
Beneath the beautiful exterior lurks a 6.3-liter V12 engine with 789 horsepower paired with a 160-hp electric motor. The combination can achieve 949 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque that enables the 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari to hit 62 mph in under three seconds and a top speed of 205 mph. (Compare this to another exotic Hybrid that came to Geneva – the McLaren P1).
The HY-KERS hybrid system features one electric motor powering the driven wheels, a second powering the ancillaries, and a battery pack attached to the floor of the chassis. Batteries are charged in under braking and any time the V12 produces more torque than required.
They’ve achieved a 41/59 weight distribution in the 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari through a combination of cabin layout and materials selection. The front seat is fixed while the pedal box and steering wheel are adjustable. The body is then made of four different kind of carbon fiber, each of which is hand-laminated and autoclave-cured the same way it would be for a Formula 1 car.
Aerodynamics was a focus during the design process with testing in the F1 Wind Tunnel to fine tune the final product. They’ve also incorporated active aerodynamic devices in the form of front diffusers and a guide vane on the underbody and rear diffusers and a rear spoiler to generate downforce without compromising the 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari’s drag coefficient.
In terms of design, they wanted to emphasize form and function on the 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari while maintaining the marque’s tradition. The low, sloping front-end design was combined with agressive wheel arches intended to recall the sports proto-types of the 60’s. The more sculptural look to the body and rear are inspired by F1 designs, combining the history of Ferrari in one beautiful and technologically innovative vehicle.
Nicole Wakelin fell in love with cars as a teenager when she got to go for a ride in a Ferrari. It was red and it was fast and that was all that mattered. Game over. She considers things a bit more carefully now, but still has a weakness for fast, beautiful cars. When not drooling over cars, Nicole writes for Wired’s GeekMom.
