Ferrari LaFerrari: The First Mild Hybrid Ferrari Limited to 499 Units

12. 9 Design Concepts Studied Before The Reveal

Ferrari LaFerrari - Source: Matyáš Solařík, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Ferrari LaFerrari, project name F150 was the V12 flagship of the brand in 2011. In order to take a leap into the design language of the LaFerrari, 9 conceptual designs were considered before shortlisting three by Ferrari Centro Stile and two by Pininfarina. This further paved the way for 2 full-size concepts, the LaFerrari Concept Manta (internal designation: 2011 Model 2) and the LaFerrari Concept Tensostruttura (internal designation 2011 Model 3).

The prancing horse was finally unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show and carried the design language adopted from Concept Manta. The showcased model was dressed in "Rosso Formula One 2007" livery.

11. Only 499 of them were ever produced

Ferrari LaFerrari Front - Source: Axion23, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The LaFerrari is as exotic as it can get, sick design, insane performance, and limited numbers made this some of the most exotic cars out there. Ferrari mesmerized the world when the car was first unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, and all eyes were on the Ferrari LaFerrari.

If you are someone looking to buy the LaFerrari, first of all, congratulations on making it in life, but only having money might not be enough. You need to be on the list of favorite 500 Ferraris list because Ferrari themselves choose owners to ensure the exclusivity of the car.

10. It featured an active aero

Ferrari LaFerrari Rear - Source: Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ferrari did not cut any corners while making the LaFerrari and used several innovative technologies for its hypercar. One of them is the active aerodynamics of the car, starting from the winglets at the front and retractable rear spoiler the active aero makes sure the car remains planted in any condition. The Active Aero of the car runs in two different configurations Low Downforce and High Downforce depending on the speed.

9. The body is made out of Carbon Fiber

Ferrari LaFerrari Rear - Source: Frank Automotive Youtube

The LaFerrari was the best car from Ferrari and they used 4 different types of carbon fiber for specific parts of the car. The parts are made with hand-built carbon fiber, where the main chassis is built from a T800 carbon strengthened with a unidirectional adhesive called T800UD, the structural bits use the other type that has extra high tensile strength.

The doors of the LaFerrari are made of T1000 carbon fiber because of its amazing impact-absorbing properties and are used to make the nose of the F1 cars.

8. First Ferrari with a hybrid powertrain

The Ferrari LaFerrari is the first car from a prancing horse to use a full hybrid system. The 6.3L internal combustion engine is good enough to produce around 789 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque which is further boosted by the KERS unit that provided an additional 161 hp, resulting in a combined output of 950 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, What! This Ferrari is an absolute missile capable of accelerating from 0-60 in 2.6 seconds and reaching a top speed of 218 mph.

7. Dominated the track records

Ferrari LaFerrari - Source: Ferrari Media

The Ferrari LaFerrari has set several track records and has been praised for its outstanding performance on the track. It dominated the track records at the Ferrari-owned Fiorano Circuit, completing a lap in just 1 minute and 19.7 seconds, which is faster than any other Ferrari road car.

It also set a new lap record at the famous Nurburgring Nordschleife track, completing a lap in just 6 minutes and 35 seconds, which was a remarkable achievement for a production car.

The Ferrari LaFerrari has proven to be a true masterpiece of engineering and design, setting a new standard for high-performance hybrid supercars and earning its place among the most iconic and coveted Ferraris of all time.

6. An award-winning car

Ferrari LaFerrari Engine - Source: Frank Automotive Youtube

The Ferrari LaFerrari is one of the best cars of all time, and it won several awards such as Autoweek's “Best Car in the Show" at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Auto Design and Styling gave it the title of “Design of the Year”.

It also won the best sportscar at the Geneva Motor Show, also it won the “Hypercar of the Year” title from Arabwheels. This helps in portraying the exceptional performance, design, and engineering that went into making the LaFerrari.

5. The name carried a huge responsibility

Ferrari LaFerrari Wheel - Source: Falcon® Photography from France, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The name "LaFerrari" carried a significant responsibility, as it was chosen to represent Ferrari's most advanced and innovative supercar to date. The name "LaFerrari" translates to "The Ferrari" in Italian, emphasizing the car's status as the ultimate expression of Ferrari's engineering and design excellence.

It was chosen to reflect the car's unique qualities and its role as a symbol of Ferrari's leadership in the automotive industry. The name also reflects the car's heritage and links it to Ferrari's long-standing tradition of producing some of the world's most iconic and desirable sports cars.

4. Premium race car interior

Ferrari LaFerrari Interior - Source: Frank Automotive Youtube

The Ferrari LaFerrari combines a race car interior with luxury creating a balance between high performance and comfort. Premium materials such as leather and Alcantara, racing-style seats, and carbon fiber accents are typical features.

High-tech instrumentation, advanced audio and entertainment systems, and a racing-inspired steering wheel are also used. Overall, manufacturers aim to create a unique and thrilling driving experience by incorporating sporty features into a premium interior.

3. There was also a convertible version

Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta - Source Alexandre Prévot from Nancy, France, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Yes, there was a convertible version of the LaFerrari called the LaFerrari Aperta, which was introduced in 2016. The Aperta features a retractable carbon fiber hardtop that can be opened or closed in just 14 seconds, allowing drivers to experience the full thrill of driving a high-performance hybrid supercar with the wind in their hair. Like the Ferrari LaFerrari, the Aperta is powered by a hybrid powertrain that combines a 6.3-liter V12 engine with an electric motor, delivering a total output of 950 horsepower and a top speed of over 217 mph. The Aperta can also accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in under 3 seconds.

2. It was not designed by Pininfarina

Ferrari LaFerrari Steering Wheel - Source: Frank Automotive Youtube

Contrary to popular belief, the Ferrari LaFerrari was not designed by Pininfarina, which is a renowned Italian design firm that has worked with Ferrari on many of its most iconic models. Instead, Ferrari's design was developed in-house by Ferrari's Centro Stile design studio, which is responsible for designing all of Ferrari's current models.

The Ferrari LaFerrari's design was led by Flavio Manzoni, who was appointed as Ferrari's chief designer in 2010. Manzoni and his team worked closely with Ferrari's engineering department to develop a design that not only looked stunning but also optimized aerodynamics and cooling, resulting in a car that not only looks great but also performs exceptionally well on the track.

1. Ferrari LaFerrari Price and Value

Ferrari LaFerrari Front - Source Axion23, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Ferrari LaFerrari was imposed with a price tag of $1.4 Million which only swells up with the Aperta models. The 200 total units of Aperta were pre-sold to customers via invitation and estimates put the price at around $2 Million. Fast forward to almost a decade and LaFerrari sits on a fortune with auction value of multi-millions. In 2023, a 2014 LaFerrari hammered $4 Million in RM Sotheby's auction held in Arizona. The LaFerrari Aperta sold by Bring A Trailer set a record for one of the most expensive cars ever sold online by clinching $5.3 Million in 2022.