Ferrari’s stunning new hybrid

Ferrari SF90 Stradale

published 31 July 2020

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”.