Spied by carparazzo Varryx in Maranello, this camouflaged prototype looks eerily similar to the SF90 Stradale. This may lead some folks to assume that it's a leftover prototype built prior to the SF90's debut (back in May 2019), but it's actually a preview of the model that will replace the SF90.
Revealed in May 2019 to mixed reception due to its hybrid setup, the Italian automaker's most powerful road-going car to date is getting on a bit. It's pretty clear that a successor is coming due to the unveiling of the XX series in June 2023, a special edition limited to 799 units of the coupe-bodied SF90 XX Stradale and a further 599 units of the Spider.
From two electric motors for the front axle, one mounted on the reverseless dual-clutch transmission, and the F154 twin-turbo V8 engine, Ferrari's first-ever XX model entitled to wear a license plate makes a ludicrous 1,030 cavalli vapore and 804 Nm of torque. Converted to imperial, that means 1,016 horsepower and 593 pound-feet.
In creating the SF90 XX, the Prancing Horse worked its magic on the rear fender-mounted air intakes for improved cooling and – obviously enough – more air going into the centrally-mounted V8. The camouflaged prototype goes one step further with larger openings for said intakes, which shouldn't come as a surprise. After all, the successor needs to belt out more ponies than the SF90.
It's not clear whether the company will match or exceed the output ratings of the XX, though. The front bumper appears to blur the line between SF90 and XX, whereas the rear bumper looks unchanged from that of the SF90. But if you look closer, you will notice slightly modified rear fenders.
Photo: Varryx on YouTube
In addition to the larger side intakes, the fenders were redesigned to house improved suspension geometry. It's believed that Ferrari changed the mounting points of the rear dampers for better handling, but from this video, it's nigh-on impossible to tell if that really is the case.
Minor improvements to the mid-engine platform are rumored as well, a platform that further underpins the V6-powered 296. With Ferrari busy churning out custom-spec'd XX vehicles, the SF90's replacement is likely scheduled to debut in the latter half of 2024 for the 2025 model year.
Some peeps refer to said model as the SF100, although that's wishful thinking because 2029 will mark 100 years of the Scuderia. In the 1930s, Enzo Ferrari started affixing the Prancing Horse to his Alfa Romeo racing cars. Prior to the birth of Alfredo "Dino" Ferrari, the Scuderia's founder hung up his helmet and gloves due to the inherent dangers of racing in the 1930s.
Turning our attention back to the SF90's replacement, it should be noted that said model won't be the top dog in Ferrari's lineup. The LaFerrari will finally get a replacement in late 2024 for the 2025 model year, with said replacement packing a twin-turbo V6 and hybrid assistance.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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