Ferrari has long been a pioneer in advanced automotive technologies, including hybrid elements and software engineering, and is now making significant strides in producing its own systems. The company recently inaugurated the new ‘E’ building, designed by Mario Cucinella, where its first fully electric vehicle is currently being developed, expected to launch next year.
The F80 model features proprietary electric motors aimed at maximizing performance and reducing weight, with two motors placed on the front axle and one on the rear to facilitate torque vectoring and all-wheel drive capabilities. The front electric axle includes an inverter and a cooling system, collectively weighing just 61.5 kilograms, which is 14 kilograms lighter than the setup in the SF90 model. The inverter is bi-directional, enabling it to convert alternating current produced during regenerative braking into direct current to charge the battery. The rear motor uses an inverter to start the combustion engine, recover energy, and provide torque during load conditions, with both inverters controlled by a compact module.
Ferrari employs a Halbach array for the e-motor’s stator and rotor to enhance magnetic field density, and uses a carbon fiber sleeve for the magnets to enable spinning speeds up to 30,000 rpm—a technology borrowed from Formula One. The vehicle also includes a unique DC/DC converter capable of managing 800 V, 48 V, and 12 V simultaneously, boasting a 98 percent conversion efficiency to reduce weight and complexity.
The high voltage battery, with its 860 V configuration, draws inspiration from Formula One and consists of 204 lithium cells arranged into three modules within a carbon fiber case, positioned low in the chassis to optimize the center of gravity for enhanced performance. Unlike the 296 GTB, the F80 does not support an EV mode. Despite its 1,525 kg dry weight, which is heavier than the McLaren W1, Ferrari compensates for this with its electrified front axle, offering torque vectoring and all-wheel drive not found in its British counterpart.
The F80 also features ground effect aerodynamics, akin to the Aston Martin Valkyrie and W1 models. It can generate 1,000 kilograms of downforce at 155 mph, an impressive achievement for a road-focused vehicle. The design includes a front triplane wing inspired by Le Mans-winning models, a flat underbody, S-duct, raised “keel,” rear diffuser, and an active rear wing—all working with the active suspension to deliver unrivaled stability without compromising on-road performance.
