2015 Ferrari LaFerrari

Chassis No. ZFF76ZFA2F0208568
Ever since the foundation of its forerunner Auto Avio Costruzioni just 12 days after the outbreak of war in 1939, myriad factors have conspired to heap expectation and scrutiny upon Ferrari in a manner entirely unlike that experienced by any other car manufacturer. Indeed, influenced as it was from the very beginning by an overwhelming need to prove itself as an independent entity following a long and fruitful association with Alfa Romeo - and later as Italy's de facto national racing team and pre-eminent car producer - Ferrari has always been a company which has necessarily had to live its corporate and sporting existence very much in the public eye.
However, paradoxically, it was from within that arguably the greatest scrutiny originated. It is often said that success breeds success, but it is equally true that success breeds expectation. Ferrari's expansionist phase of the late 1950s and early 1960s saw road car production increase five-fold between 1958 and 1966; a period which also yielded three Formula One World Championships and seven Le Mans 24 Hours wins in eight years. Yet with this success came an escalating pressure to surpass previous achievements, whether on or off track.
In the case of their road car division, the pressure to succeed often led to significant technical departures - particularly in that most symbolic of Ferrari engineering fields: engine design. Indeed, in the decade to 1975, Ferrari used no less than five different engine configurations across their product range - V6, V8, V12 two-cam, V12 four-cam and Flat 12; all - to a greater or lesser degree - the result of coercion by Enzo Ferrari and company senior management for road cars to utilise technology developed by their racing counterparts.
Successive generations of Ferrari supercars - commencing with the 288 GTO of 1984, through the F40, F50 and Enzo - had continually raised the performance bar over a period of two decades, although by 2010 it had been six long years since the Enzo had ceased production. During this time, motor industry-specific environmental lobbying had increased significantly in both volume and voracity, and it was becoming evident that any future flagship Ferrari hypercar would likely embrace emerging Hybrid technologies. With this in mind, and following an extensive design and consultation phase, the Enzo's natural successor was unveiled in 2013.
Initially given the internal Ferrari model number of F150, it was subsequently afforded the moniker of LaFerrari - the inference being that it was the definitive Ferrari. The car featured a carbon fiber monocoque chassis penned by long-time Scuderia Ferrari designer Rory Byrne, as well as a glorious blend of a traditional and cutting-edge electric power units; the former a heavily revised version of the normally aspirated 6.3 liter V12 engine used in the Enzo and FXX programs, the latter a fully-integrated F1-inspired KERS-style electric motor. The V12 now boasted almost 800 horsepower, although the electrical unit supplemented this figure to almost 950; the highest output ever achieved for a non-Grand Prix Ferrari.
Ingeniously, the KERS technology harvested heat generated from the Brembo carbon-ceramic braking system, which was then deployed intelligently to supplement the already formidable acceleration. Fuel consumption was improved by roughly 40 per cent, while CO2 emissions of a relatively modest 330g per kilometer were able to be achieved.
Unsurprisingly, the LaFerrari positively bristled with technology and driver aids - many of which, again, had been initially developed in Formula One - in an effort to simultaneously optimize the application of power and enhance driving enjoyment. A seven-speed dual clutch gearbox afforded gearchanges measured in milliseconds, while advanced electronic ABS, Electronic Stability Control and Traction Control systems were employed to assist in the braking, cornering and acceleration phases respectively. Active aerodynamics formed a vital part of the car's performance armoury, with movable aerodynamic devices - such as diffuser flaps and guide vanes - operating in conjunction with a retractable rear wing to maximise downforce whenever deemed necessary by the car's advanced control systems.
In styling terms, the LaFerrari represented a considerable departure from its illustrious supercar predecessors, being the first non-Pininfarina influenced Ferrari since the Bertone-styled 308 GT4 of 1973. Instead designed entirely in-house by Centro Stile Ferrari, it blended iconic Ferrari features such as the shark nose radiator ducts - reminiscent of the glorious 156 Grand Prix cars of 1961 and 1962 - with contemporary styling and occasional features seen on recent cars, such as the Enzo-inspired tail lights. Ergonomically, Ferrari opted to dispense with conventional seat adjustment mechanisms so as to lower the seating position - and hence the car's center of gravity - instead opting for a moveable pedal box and steering wheel so as to accommodate various shapes and sizes of driver.
It goes without saying that the LaFerrari translated such awe-inspiring levels of power and technology to commensurate levels of performance. Road & Track independently verified a 0-150 miles per hour time of a barely believable 9.8 seconds en route to a top speed of 217 miles per hour, while its Fiorano lap time of 1 minute 19.7 seconds ensured that not only was it the first Ferrari road car to lap in under 80 seconds, but also one which bettered the time of the Enzo by fully five seconds. This said, the LaFerrari was found to be perfectly civilised and accomplished on the road; its adjustable suspension setting ensured excellent ride quality, and both air conditioning and satellite navigation systems drew praise for their excellent functionality.
Acquired by The Halo Car Collection in April 2020, this extraordinary example has covered just 143 miles from new; a figure consistent with little more than the shakedown and delivery phases of any new Ferrari. Predictably, the car is presented in new in the box condition - still on its original bespoke Pirelli P Zero tires - and is accompanied by a single key and its original tools.
A technological masterpiece, benefitting from eye-popping performance, exquisite aesthetics, ergonomic near-perfection and commendable practicality in equal measure, the LaFerrari's place in Maranello folklore is assuredly secure; representing as it does a car glancing briefly but respectfully to the past, yet predominantly in the direction of the future. Once again, a Ferrari hypercar more than surpassed the onerous expectations placed upon it; whether it - and its fellow Hybrid competitors the P1 and 918 Spyder - will ultimately represent the high water mark of hypercar performance and dynamic ability only time will tell. What is beyond doubt is that they will retain justified collector status irrespective of whatever form cars of the future may take.
In recent years, all five incarnations of Ferrari supercar have been retrospectively termed Halo cars, owing to the exalted place which they occupy within the Ferrari family tree, and the near-universal high esteem in which they are held. In light of the unrepeatable provenance and minimal mileage of this magnificent example - and of its rightful position as the centerpiece of The Halo Car Collection - an appropriate synergy exists: in all senses, this particular car really does represent the very best of the very best.
*Please note the hybrid battery system has been inspected by Ferrari Fort Lauderdale in July 2022 to confirm eligibility of future warranty. The inspection found no faults with the high voltage or low voltage systems ensuring the car is eligible for future warranty program. Please see a Car Specialist for further information.*