FERRARI

Introducing the Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale

Going to the Fiorano circuit, the place where Ferrari's street and competition models are tested and developed, is always special. But in the case of the presentation of the new sports car we are talking about today, it makes even more sense.

After all, the new Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale (and its convertible version, the SF90 XX Spider) means a new concept for the Italian brand, where the philosophy of the brand's special series, such as the F488 Pista and the F812 Competizione, are merged, and the XX model program (such as the F599XX and FXX-K EVO), intended for exclusive racing on the circuit.

The result is a unique, limited-edition model with circuit-focused tuning and performance, including the brand's latest advances in electrification, and with which you can legally drive on open roads. A perfect plan.

As it is a special series, we are specifically talking about 799 examples for the Stradale and 599 for the Spider, with an asking price in Italy of 770,000 and 850,000 euros, respectively.

According to brand sources, all copies have already been sold. As for deliveries, they will start in the second quarter of 2024 (last of the year, for Spider).

Essentially, we are talking about an evolution of the SF90 Stradale, so this XX uses a plug-in hybrid propulsion scheme, which is based on the brand's 4.0 V8 biturbo engine (and its spectacular sound), to deliver maximum power. of 1,030 hp, which are exactly 30 hp more than the model from which it derives.

Going into more detail, the gasoline engine, located in a central-rear position, provides 797 hp to the set, while the electrical part delivers 233 hp, thanks to the use of three electrical units: two at the front and one at the back, located between the engine gasoline and the transmission which, by the way, is the 8-speed dual-clutch F1, with the same electronic management as in the Daytona SP3.

Returning to the electric part, it uses a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 7.9 kWh, which offers a maximum autonomy of 25 kilometers and allows the car to run in 100% electric mode up to 135 km/h.

It is true that the weight reduction is not very high compared to the SF90 Stradale (10 kilos, for a total of 1,560), but together with the increase in power, it allows to reduce by two tenths the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h, stopping stopwatch at 2.3 seconds, or at 6.5 seconds if you keep accelerating up to 200 km/h.

For its part, the maximum speed is at 320 km/h (20 km/h less than the SF90 Stradale), although on the circuit, it compensates for this with an extraordinary aerodynamic load: at 250 km/h, the 'downforce' reaches 530 kilos.

In this, the two new S-Duct ducts, located on the front hood and which generate 20% more load, as well as the splitter and front diffuser, are of great importance; the latter ensures more than 45 kg at 250 km/h.

But without a doubt, the most striking aerodynamic element of the car is the new fixed rear spoiler, which completes a body with a certain 'longtail' air.

An element that returns to a Ferrari sports car after decades of absence: in fact, the last street model to have a fixed rear spoiler was the F-50, introduced in 1995, and which followed the path marked by the F-40 of the 1990s. 80. Of course, on this occasion, it is also combined with active aerodynamics functions.

Presented in Fiorano with the color combination Arctic White and Orange, for the Stradale, and Dino Blue and Modena Yellow, for the Spider. Inside, it features bucket seats with a carbon structure, which become the brand's lightest, as well as generously sized digital instrumentation and the classic second screen, more focused on the passenger.

Speaking of dimensions, the car reaches 4.85 meters in length, 2.01 in width and 1.23 in height, declaring a weight distribution between both axles of 44/56. And in the case of the Spider version, a retractable hard roof (RHT) is used, built with aluminum panels, which can be removed in just 14 seconds, at a maximum speed of up to 45 km/h.

The eManettino of the Ferrari SF90 XX, which shows its driving modes, allows the choice between four different programs: eDrive, for electric traction with only the front axle; Hybrid, where priority is given to using available energy; Performance, where the thermal part predominates; and Qualifying, in the purest F1 style, to offer maximum performance.

And it is in this last mode that the Extraboost function appears. With it, the electrical part is managed to deliver an extra peak of power to the driver, for a short period of time, ensuring an improvement of 0.25 seconds on a track like Fiorano.

Of course, the brake system does not escape the improvements, with carbon-ceramic discs of 398 mm in diameter at the front axle, and 390 mm at the rear, complemented by the ABS evo system, which operates in Race and Qualifying modes.

It works by determining the slippage of the wheels and optimizes the distribution in relation to this variable. It's so simple... and so complex. Of course, neither is the eSSC or electronic Side Slip Control missing.

Autonews