Ferrari SF90 Stradale
R10.6 million for Ferrari’s latest 1000hp supercar
Ferrari has made the most of the deserted streets of Monaco, to showcase its latest hybrid supercar, with F1-ace Charles Leclerc at the helm. The supercar in question is the new SF90 Stradale, and it shares its name with the SF90 Formula One car with the name standing for the 90th anniversary of the Scuderia Ferrari racing team and "Stradale" meaning for the road.
The SF90 Stradale is not only the most powerful Ferrari road car ever built, but it is the also marques first series production plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. The supercar even trumps the mighty LaFerrari for output and boasts roughly 1000hp (735kw), and 390kgs of downforce at 250kph, putting the SF90 Stradale at the very top of its segment. It is also the first time since the Ferrari F40 that the flagship Ferrari is powered by a V8.
The twin-turbocharged 90° V8 engine that powers the SF90 Stradale is an evolution of the unit found in the 488 Pista and the F8 Tributo, and produces 574kw and 800nm. The engine capacity has been increased from 3.9-litres to 4.0-litres, whilst the intake and exhaust of the engine have been completely modified. The cylinder heads are also narrower and the all-new central fuel injectors run at a pressure of 350 bar. The turbochargers have also been relocated to be 50mm lower in the chassis than the other mid-engine V8 models in order to maintain a lower center of gravity.
The remaining 162kw is delivered by three electric motors, one at the rear, known as the MGUK (Motor Generator Unit, Kinetic) due to its derivation from the Formula 1 application, located between the engine and the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission on the rear axle, and two on the front axle. A high-performance Li-ion battery provides power to all three motors and guarantees a 25km range in all-electric eDrive mode, using just the front axle.
The SF90 Stradale is also the first Ferrari supercar to be equipped with 4WD, a step necessary to allow the incredible power unleashed by the hybrid powertrain to be fully exploited, ensuring the car has become the new benchmark for standing starts: 0-100kph in 2.5 sec and 0-200kph in just 6.7 seconds.
The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is expected to arrive in South Africa towards the end of 2020, in limited numbers, carrying an asking price of R10.6 million.
Also worth a look: the Ferrari F80: Where Retro Design Meets Futuristic Fury and the V6-powered Ferrari 296 GTB revealed.
FAQ
Q: What does the Ferrari SF90 Stradale cost in South Africa?
The Ferrari SF90 Stradale will set you back R10.6 million in South Africa, making it one of the most expensive supercars you can buy locally.
Q: How much power does the SF90 Stradale have?
The SF90 Stradale produces a combined 735kW (roughly 1000hp) from its twin-turbo V8 engine and three electric motors, making it the most powerful Ferrari road car ever built.
Q: Can the Ferrari SF90 Stradale run on electric power only?
Yes, the SF90 Stradale can run in all-electric eDrive mode using just the front axle motors for up to 25km range, powered by its high-performance lithium-ion battery.
Q: Is the Ferrari SF90 Stradale faster than the LaFerrari?
The SF90 Stradale actually produces more power than the LaFerrari with its 735kW output, and generates 390kg of downforce at 250kph, putting it at the top of Ferrari's performance hierarchy.
Q: What makes the SF90 Stradale different from other Ferraris?
The SF90 Stradale is Ferrari's first series production plug-in hybrid and the first flagship Ferrari since the F40 to be powered by a V8 engine rather than a V12.
Should You Buy It?
At R10.6 million, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale isn't just expensive, it's stratospherically priced, but you're getting the most advanced and powerful Ferrari ever made. With 735kW of hybrid power, all-wheel drive capability, and genuine electric-only driving for short distances, this is Ferrari's technological tour de force. If you have the budget for a R10+ million supercar and want the absolute pinnacle of Ferrari engineering, the SF90 Stradale is worth every rand. For mere mortals, the F8 Tributo offers plenty of V8 Ferrari thrills for considerably less cash, but nothing matches the SF90's combination of hybrid innovation and raw performance.
