Ferrari

SF90 Stradale

Ferrari SF90 Stradale: The Silent Revolution

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale (named after the 90th anniversary of the Scuderia Ferrari racing team) is a paradox. It is a series-production car (not a limited edition like the LaFerrari), yet it is faster than the LaFerrari. It is a plug-in hybrid that can drive silently through a city, yet it has 1,000 horsepower.

It represents the biggest shift in Ferrari’s philosophy since the F40. It is the moment Ferrari stopped fearing the future and started defining it.

The Powertrain: 4 Motors

The SF90 uses a complex powertrain that makes the LaFerrari look primitive.

  1. The ICE: A 4.0-liter Twin-Turbo V8 (an evolution of the F8 Tributo engine) producing 780 hp. It has a lower center of gravity and new heads.
  2. The MGUK: An electric motor sandwiched between the engine and the gearbox (derived from F1).
  3. The Front Motors: Two independent electric motors on the front axle.
  4. Total Output: 1,000 PS (986 hp).

This makes the SF90 the first-ever AWD mid-engine Ferrari sports car. The front motors provide torque vectoring, pulling the nose into corners with unnatural ferocity.

The Gearbox: No Reverse

The SF90 introduces a new 8-speed Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT).

  • Smaller & Lighter: It is 20% smaller and 7 kg lighter than the old 7-speed box.
  • No Reverse: There is no reverse gear inside the transmission. To back up, the engine turns off, and the two front electric motors spin backward. You reverse in silent FWD mode.

Active Aero: The Shut-off Gurney

Ferrari patented a new active aero device for the SF90 called the Shut-off Gurney.

  • Low Drag: Normally, the rear wing is flush with the body for top speed.
  • High Downforce: Under braking or cornering, a section of the rear deck drops down, exposing a Gurney flap. This stalls the airflow and creates massive downforce (390 kg at 250 km/h). It is the opposite of most active wings that pop up.

Assetto Fiorano Package

For drivers who value lap times over comfort, there is the Assetto Fiorano package.

  • Weight: Saves 30 kg thanks to carbon fiber door panels and underbody.
  • Suspension: Multimatic GT-racing dampers (non-adjustable) tailored for the track.
  • Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.
  • Titanium: A titanium exhaust system.
  • Spoiler: A larger carbon fiber rear spoiler for more downforce.

Driving Modes: The eManettino

The steering wheel features a touch-sensitive “eManettino” to control the hybrid system.

  • eDrive: Pure EV mode. FWD only. Range of 25 km. Top speed 135 km/h.
  • Hybrid: The default. Switches between engine and battery for efficiency.
  • Performance: Keeps the engine running to charge the battery.
  • Qualify: Unleashes all 1,000 hp. The battery will drain quickly, but for 2-3 laps, you are the fastest thing on Earth.

Conclusion

The SF90 Stradale is terrifyingly fast. It hits 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds (often tested at 2.1 seconds). It laps Fiorano faster than the LaFerrari. It is a computer on wheels, but one that has been programmed by people who love driving. It proves that hybridization is not just about saving polar bears; it’s about going faster.