Ferrari’s stunning new hybrid

It’s hardly the greenest car on the road, but it’s still the reddest in tooth and claw. Nicole Garcia Merida reports

Ferrari SF90 Stradale

Ferrari flagships have always been special, and over the years increasingly potent and hard to top, says Richard Meaden in Auto Express. But the Italian supercar manufacturer has outdone itself again with this 987bhp plug-in hybrid that “melds old-school mid-engined drama with cutting-edge powertrain technology”. The SF90 Stradale is “a brilliantly resolved driver’s car” with “dazzling technology and hypercar performance”. And in a straight line, that performance is nothing short of “ballistic”. From rest, it reaches 62mph in just 2.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 211mph. “Driven on the legendary Fiorano test track, the SF90 shines,” while remaining “steadfast and sure-footed”. In Race mode, the car somehow makes almost 1,000bhp of power feel “friendly and accessible” and without needing the skills of a Formula One driver to keep control. 

The SF90 is Ferrari’s first-ever plug-in hybrid and has a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 backing up its three electric motors. “But don’t be fooled,” says Driving Electric: “electrification has been employed almost entirely with performance in mind, with only a token nod to lowering emissions”. Total power output is 987bhp, putting it above Ferrari’s V12-powered 812 Superfast model. The resulting performance is “mind-bending” and “intoxicating”. In eMode, ie, travelling by electric power alone, the car can travel up to 15 miles at speeds of up to 85mph. In Hybrid mode, the petrol engine wakes up when you push harder on the throttle. The car is not by a long stretch the most efficient hybrid you can buy, “but it’s certainly the most fun”. 

There’s lots new on the inside too, says Top Gear. There’s a 16-inch screen on the dashboard with three main screens to swipe through – media, navigation, and vehicle controls – and it’s operated by a steering-wheel-mounted touchpad. The gadgetry and infotainment systems have seen a marked improvement and boast a premium JBL sound system. Overall, the significance of the SF90 “cannot be overstated”. It is approachable enough to be driven hard with confidence, yet remains “nimble, controllable and delicate in your hands”. It is a “stunning machine”. 

Price: £376,048. Engine: 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 plus electric motors. Top speed: 211mph. 0-62mph: 2.5 seconds. 

Recommended

Where will house prices go in 2023?
House prices

Where will house prices go in 2023?

We explore what could happen to house prices in 2023 as the market continues to slow down.
24 Mar 2023
What is inflation and how will it affect you?
Inflation

What is inflation and how will it affect you?

There has been much talk of inflation recently. But what exactly is it and what does it mean for our money?
24 Mar 2023
Dar Zemora: a tour of magical Marrakech
Travel and holidays

Dar Zemora: a tour of magical Marrakech

Jon Connell explores from this charming boutique hotel just outside the medina
24 Mar 2023
3 success stories set for long-term growth
Investments

3 success stories set for long-term growth

A professional investor tells us where he’d put his money. This week: Felix Wintle, manager of the VT Tyndall North American Fund, selects three favou…
24 Mar 2023

Most Popular

5 top UK tech stocks
Investments

5 top UK tech stocks

The UK market has never been considered a fertile hunting ground for tech stars. But there are plenty of promising companies beyond the old economy, s…
23 Mar 2023
Where will house prices go in 2023?
House prices

Where will house prices go in 2023?

We explore what could happen to house prices in 2023 as the market continues to slow down.
24 Mar 2023
Will energy prices go down in 2023?
Personal finance

Will energy prices go down in 2023?

Ofgem’s price cap is now predicted to fall below £2,000, based on average typical use, from July, for the first time since 2022. We have all the detai…
21 Mar 2023