Move aside fuel saving town car
hybrids - the new breed of supercar hybrids is here. Ferrari’s latest super-car,
which serves as the replacement for the Enzo, is nothing short of special, so
much that the makers have decided to call it the LaFerrari, literally
translated as ‘The Ferrari’. Blindingly fast, extremely exotic, a hefty price
tag et all - the LaFerrari has everything it takes to be the ultimate hybrid
supercar in the making.
Talking about specs, the first factor that
needs to be mentioned is of course, being a hybrid, the LaFerrari uses lesser
amount of fuel, emits fewer grams of CO2 and accelerates from 0 to 60 in under
3 seconds. All surplus power produced by the engine is tapped and redirected
to a battery pack, and then to two electric motors. While one motor provides a
boost to the V12 gasoline engine, the other drives the accessories. It is the
LaFerrari’s HY-KERS (hybrid kinetic energy recovery system) system, which runs
along with the engine that ensures that all these processes are well followed.
Ola
LaFerrari
KERS works towards tapping and recycling
excess energy that otherwise gets wasted, just like what any other hybrid
technology would do. In addition to that, KERS also adds power on top of what
the combustion engine produces. The system channels the energy to a pair of
battery packs bolted to the carbon fiber frame of the vehicle. While one pack
is used for the propulsion system, the other is used to provide power to other
accessories that include the radiator fan, windshield wipers and the air
conditioning amongst others.
The total amount of torque generated by the
LaFerrari’s engine sums up to more than 900 Nm. A constant supply of exceptional
power is produced throughout the rev range, thanks to the internal combustion
engine’s performance at higher revs. In order to provide the highest amount of
energy density possible for this kind of application, the batteries have been
optimized down to weigh just 60 kg. The batteries are charged in two different
ways - under conditions of braking, even when the ABS is active, and every time
the V12 produces more torque than required, such as in cases of cornering.
The
total amount of torque generated by the LaFerrari’s engine sums up to more than
900 Nm.
Having scared off most who run for cover at
the sight of the technical mumbo-jumbo in first part of the write-up , let’s
save the best part for the true loyalists who continued to read on - let’s talk
about the styling. From the looks of it, one can immediately identify the
unmistakable aerodynamic structure of the car. Ferrari claims that the car
delivers ‘the highest degree of aerodynamic efficiency ever achieved with any
road car’. To go along with it, Ferrari has also thrown in front and rear
diffusers, an underbody guide vane and an active rear spoiler, which generates
down force only when required without compromising on the car’s overall drag
coefficient. In order to complement the car’s extreme performance levels,
Ferrari has gone for 265/30 R 19 Pirelli P-Zeros tires in the front and 345/30
R 20s at the rear.
The Ferrari’s design team was led by Flavio
Manzoni who worked in tandem with the engineers in order to bring out a vehicle
characterized by beauty and smart functionality. The result is, as is evident,
a masterpiece that kept true to its long line of traditional features - the
sharp, downward-sloping nose and a very low bonnet which emphasizes its
muscular wheel arches, which are a tribute to Ferrari sports prototypes of the
late 1960s. On the inside, the steering wheel sports a fresh design housing all
the major commands, and the gear-shift paddles have been elongated and given a
more ergonomic design.
Here is more for the tree-huggers. For
every kilometer that the supercar scampers along, 330 grams of CO2 is emitted.
Considering the fact that this is about 10% less in comparison with a current
version of a Ferrari V12, it could well be applauded. Since Ferrari is not
really proclaiming the LaFerrari to be ‘the’ next hybrid car, these numbers
should do well to satisfy regulatory organizations. Meanwhile, the Brembo
braking system that has been integrated with the hybrid system, featuring new
lightweight calipers, ensure that the car comes to a complete halt at just the
exact point you want it to.
Ola
LaFerrari’s interior
And here is something for the speed demons.
Performance-wise, the LaFerrari has a lot to boast about. The supercar is
powered by a 950bhp petrol-electric hybrid powertrain which pairs a 789 bhp
6.3-liter V8 engine with a 161bhp electric motor. If you are one who takes
interest in trivia, well, here’s one - the 6.3-liter V8 engine fitted in the
LaFerrari is the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine in the world! This is
mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch paddle-shift gearbox to provide that final
punch. On the whole, the car takes under three seconds to hit 62mph, seven to
reach 124mph, and less than 15 seconds to cross the 186mph mark. If you are
adventurous enough to push the throttle to its extreme limit, the car will
take you through a mind-blowing figure of 217mph.
And
here is something for the speed demons. Performance-wise, the LaFerrari has a
lot to boast about
The price of the Ferrari LaFerrari is estimated
at a staggering 1 million Euros ($1.3million). Disappointingly, Ferrari plans
to build only 499 examples. If you think these two factors combined is going to
hold back enthusiasts from trying to take a grab at the Ferrari, you are
absolutely mistaken. From what we hear, orders from buyers have already crossed
1,000! Ferrari says that it will have a stringent selection process to pick out
worthy buyers for the very limited number of LaFerraris.
Ferrari
claims that the LaFerrari is the absolute symbol of the company’s excellence in
the field of car-making.
Ferrari claims that the LaFerrari is the
absolute symbol of the company’s excellence in the field of car-making. The car
has redefined the terms technological innovation and visionary styling. As Ferrari’s
President, Luca di Montezemolo likes to put it, the LaFerrari is a truly
extraordinary car which encompasses advanced solutions that serves as benchmark
for the entire automotive industry. On the outset of it all, Ferrari’s
LaFerrari is one basher of a supecar that guarantees you of maximum driving
thrills, right from the time you push the Engine Start button.
