Change is never easy. This is painfully true when it comes to the things we love. When we think of Ferraris we imagine fire-breathing machines exquisitely formed in the automotive equivalent of sex. They were romance and danger, wrapped in crimson hues that made our blood race.
Hybrid and electric cars used to be the antitheses of Ferrari supercars. Designed to be frugal, polite, and eco-conscious, hybrids and EVs to many gearheads represented motoring emasculation—the loss of that spirit that compels us to look for speed.
Alas, change has come.
The LaFerrari hypercar was the first salvo: A mild hybrid flagship showcase combining a V12 (Wow!) with a electric motors (WTH). But the LaFerrari’s almost brutal performance numbers silenced critics. But pundits weren’t so kind with the newest prancing horse from Maranello, the SF90 Stradale.
The SF90 is Ferrari’s first plug-in hybrid. It’s still a monster of a car, with almost 1,000hp and 0-100kph in 2.5 secs courtesy of a V8 and three electric motors. But there is something too futuristic about the initial photos—too much computer and too little passion.
But is it really that bad? Top Gear UK deputy editor Jack Rix set out to see for himself what the fuss is about. He visited Ferrari’s dealership in London’s posh Mayfair neighborhood, and took a long look at the SF90. See if you agree with his observations.
