Remember the 288 GTO homologation special? The Prancing Horse of Maranello produced fewer than 280 units between 1984 and 1987. Also engineered by the hideously underrated Nicola Materazzi, the succeeding F40 was produced in a little over 1,300 examples. Then came the F50, a V12-engined masterpiece that – rather unfortunately – didn't step out of the F40's shadow.
Ferrari designed an entirely new V12 for the Enzo, a free-breathing lump referred to as the F140. This mill was enlarged from the original 6.0 liters to 6.5-liter in the 812 series, a displacement shared with the 812-based Monza SP1 and Monza SP2, Daytona SP3, and Purosangue sport utility vehicle.
Between the 6.0- and 6.5-liter versions of the F140, the Italian automaker offered a 6.3-liter version. Its most powerful application is the LaFerrari, which develops a grand total of 963 ps (950 horsepower) at 9,000 revolutions per minute and 900 Nm (664 pound-feet) at 6,750 revolutions per minute. Aided by a Formula 1-inspired kinetic energy recovery system, the LaFerrari-specific V12 powerplant is good for 800 ps (789 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft).
Seriously impressive numbers, but for its long-awaited replacement, purists will be disappointed by the switch to a twin-turbo V6 plus a plug-in hybrid setup. Enter the F250, whose actual name isn't known at press time. Spied on numerous occasions, the F250 is edging closer to its debut.
One of three new vehicles to be revealed by the Prancing Horse this year, the F250 has leveled up from the work-in-progress body shells of earlier prototypes to the production-spec body. Ferrari has also changed the camo, trying to hide as much of the final design as possible from spy photographers.
Photo: Varryx on YouTube
Joined by two older prototypes, the heavily-clad newcomer makes the very same twin-turbo V6 noises as its forerunners. The powerplant in question is – of course – the 3.0-liter six that Ferrari premiered in the 296 series. A derivative of said engine helped the Prancing Horse win the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in almost 60 years.
It was pretty close between the Ferrari AF Corse 499P and the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR010 Hybrid, yet the Italian hypercar crossed the finish line ahead of its main rival. By a minute and 21 seconds over no fewer than 342 laps, which is absolutely insane. Seemingly inspired by the 499P, the road-going F250 is most certainly punchier than the racecar.
For starters, the 3.0-liter V6 alone produces 680 ps (671 hp) in race trim or 663 ps (654 hp) in the 296. The 499P further sweetens the deal with 272 ps (268 hp) from its front-mounted electric motor, whereas the combined output of the rear-driven 296 is 830 ps (819 hp). It's easy to imagine 900-plus horsepower from this fellow, yet hearsay suggests in excess of 1,000 at full chatter. Not bad for a twin-turbo V6 with plug-in hybrid assistance, right?
More of a racecar than a road-going car in terms of exterior proportions, the F250 is further believed to weigh roughly the same as the LaFerrari despite being a plug-in hybrid rather than a KERS-infused hybrid. That may be wishful thinking, but in any case, you can bet your bottom dollar that the F250 will blitz the Fiorano circuit quicker than the SF90 XX. Word has it that 600 berlinettas will be produced, along with a further 200 spiders and only a handful of track-only cars for the XX program.
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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