These are the first photographs of Ferrari’s hybrid hypercar, the LaFerrari, with its top off — and yes, it’s as hot as it sounds.
Image: supplied
The LaFerrari has been around for a surprisingly long time now — over two years, in fact — and this convertible open-top version is the first significant revision the V12- and electric-powered hypercar has had in its lifespan.
We don’t even know the name of the new LaFerrari variant, how many will be built, or its exact technical specifications, but we do know that every one of those cars is already spoken for. In a special preview for Ferrari’s favourite clients, the order book has been closed and no more orders will be taken.
The same performance figures as the original LaFerrari come from the open-top’s use of the same 6.3-litre V12 and 120kW electric motor, with a total combined power output of 708kW — although the removable carbon-fibre hard top and removable soft top as well as chassis strengthening may result in a slightly higher kerb weight than the 1250kg original.
As well as a 6.3L V12 outputting a full 588kW to the rear wheels, Ferrari has adapted its F1-derived kinetic energy recovery system for the LaFerrari. Hy-KERS, as it’s called on this particular carbon fibre tub chassis, includes regenerative braking that fills up a 60kg lithium-ion battery and powers a 120kW electric motor that mates to the gearbox’s final drive, filling in the low-end torque gap of the petrol engine.
It’s interesting that unlike the McLaren P1 and the BMW i8, Ferarri has gone for a full-power, no-frills hybrid implementation — there’s no messing around with electric drive to the front wheels, and no low-power electric-only mode for creeping around town. When you hit the LaFerrari’s start button, you get the full business 100 per cent of the time.
Feast your eyes:
These are the first photographs of the open-top version of the LaFerrari, the new limited-edition special series aimed at clients and collectors who refuse to compromise on the joy of al fresco driving even when at the wheel of a supercar.
The name and technical characteristics of the new car will be announced at the Paris International Motor Show, as will the number of examples Ferrari will build. However, all available examples have already been sold after a special preview to clients and the order book is closed.
The new limited-edition special series will be available with a removable carbon-fibre hard top and a removable soft top. It has the same running gear and performance figures as the original LaFerrari, sporting a 800 cv V12 (with a specific power output of 128 cv/l) coupled with a 120 kW electric motor (163 cv), unleashing 963 cv in total.
Significant and extensive modifications have been made to the chassis with the aim of retaining the same torsional rigidity and beam stiffness as the coupé version. The car’s aerodynamics have also been further honed to guarantee the same drag coefficient when driving in the open configuration.