Ferrari reveals 1000hp quad-motor Elettrica detail
We won't see the Ferrari EV in full until next year, but we do know how fast it'll be...
Ferrari has been building up to this moment for a while now. The 599 HY-KERS concept, harvesting kinetic energy to supply an electric motor, debuted at Geneva in 2010, and electrified Ferraris have followed slowly but surely ever since: LaFerrari, 296, SF90 and 849 Testarossa. All leading to this point, the Elettrica. While the full debut of the actual car is a few months away, Ferrari has used its capital markets day to share some key spec details. As expected, they make for remarkable reading.
This being a new Ferrari, there’s a lot to get your head around with the Elettrica - we’ll get to some of that soon. The important information is that this will be a Ferrari with more than 1,000hp at its most potent, with a top speed of more than 190mph and a 0-62mph time of 2.5 seconds. The battery is an in-house designed 122kWh (gross) lump, which can be charged at up to 350kW; it supplies a pair of e-axles (also designed and built by Ferrari), with a pair of motors on each - so a quad motor setup - and 93 per cent efficiency claimed. The front can provide up to 286hp, the rear 842hp, so it’s clearly going to be a very rear-biased Ferrari still. Weight is said to be around 2300kg, split 47:53 front to rear, and the range will be more than 329 miles. Easy to forget about the prosaic EV stuff when a company like Ferrari is embarking on its first electric car.
What that car will actually resemble isn’t quite clear yet. The Elettrica will obviously have to be quite big to contain a battery of such size, though whether it’ll be more Purosangue in style or a traditional two-door GT hasn’t been divulged. The Elettrica will be a four-seat Ferrari, albeit one with a ‘very short’ wheelbase; the driving position will place the driver up towards the front wheels ‘to offer the purest dynamic feedback while also facilitating accessibility and maximising comfort like on more GT-oriented models in the Ferrari range.’ The centre of gravity is claimed to be 80mm lower than in the equivalent ICE model.
Sound is, of course, a huge facet of any Ferrari experience, and perhaps never more so than with the battery-powered model. Instead of attempting to mimic a combustion layout, the Elettrica’s sound will ‘accentuate the unique characteristics of the electric powertrain.’ Sensors will pick up on powertrain vibrations, which will then be enhanced for an ‘authentic aural experience that reflects the dynamic driving experience and provides the driver with direct aural feedback.’ Nobody will forget full throttle for the first time in an Elettrica, that seems certain.
There’s always a host of fresh tech with a new Ferrari, and the Elettrica will be no different. Torque Shift Engagement offers up five power outputs via the right-hand paddle ‘to deliver progressively stronger acceleration over a very broad range of speeds.’ The left-hand paddle will imitate engine braking. There’s also a new Dry mode on the Manettino, between Wet and Sport, plus an eManettino for the electric architecture; that manages power level, the front e-axle’s involvement plus Range, Tour and Performance modes for the battery.
The active suspension will be familiar from the F80 and Purosangue, here with a Vehicle Control Unit update 200 times a second to make sure steering, suspension and assists are doing exactly as required. No mention has yet been made of the brakes, though the Elettrica is surely likely to use a very senior carbon ceramic setup given the power and weight.
There are some more traditional solutions to the challenges of electrification as well, including Ferrari’s first ever separate (as opposed to rigid) rear subframe. The aim is to minimise NVH from that potent motor out back, and retain comfort, while also delivering the sort of ride and handling expected of a super powerful Ferrari. New bushes again aim to dampen any fizz from the e-axle as well as road roar from any of the tyre choices made. Ferrari will offer five (!) for the Elettrica, all with a focus on low rolling resistance while maintaining grip: three summer compounds, a winter and a run flat.
It’s a fascinating prospect, the electric Ferrari, combining elements familiar from supercars we already know (the active suspension from the Purosangue, for example), with the new possibilities offered up by battery power. There’ll be plenty more to find out as the full 2026 reveal approaches, too, because Ferrari is never anything but comprehensive when it comes to tech details. Expect plenty of discussion, too; new technology, be it turbocharging or brake-by-wire, has always been embraced wholeheartedly by Ferrari in model development, so fully electric always seemed likely to happen at some point. But is internal combustion too integral to the Ferrari experience to abandon? One to talk about for now, and hopefully find out one way or the other in due course…
It's hard to see why they're bothing, do they think they need to be good at electric cars just in case? It seems like ICE isn't going away any time soon, despite threats from various governments around the world. Add to that Ferrari being fairly low volume and high price point, do they have to pander to legislation that'll barely affect them?
I'm open to being wrong, but I really can't see the day I'd want an electric Ferrari, and that's from someone who's got an electric car, has had electric cars previously, would like a Caterham Project V and just generally likes electric cars. But surely with Ferrari you buy the engine and get the car free, it's all about the noise.
I'd like almost all of the Ferrari back catalogue, and the want only starts to tail off with the recent turbo V8 and V6 models, a large part of that being that they just don't sound as good to me.
china is pushing out 3000hp for £150k+
the rumoured price of this is 600,000 euros
China are also pushing out handbags for £2.31, I don't see them quaking in Milan.
Lotus and Rimac have both shown unlimted horsepower aren't the only thing you need.
China are also pushing out handbags for £2.31, I don't see them quaking in Milan.
Lotus and Rimac have both shown unlimted horsepower aren't the only thing you need.
china is pushing out 3000hp for £150k+
the rumoured price of this is 600,000 euros
I'm sure it'll look like whatever design peeps in Ferrari deem is good, but I suspect they'll be careful to pop it in a segment where the sound of the engine is less important to the driver... so more likely to be SUV than sports car.
I'm just guessing though. And as for competition at a fraction of the price, I'm not sure Ferrari have ever really cared, they carve out the niche and brand following regardless.
It's hard to see why they're bothing, do they think they need to be good at electric cars just in case? It seems like ICE isn't going away any time soon, despite threats from various governments around the world. Add to that Ferrari being fairly low volume and high price point, do they have to pander to legislation that'll barely affect them?
I'm open to being wrong, but I really can't see the day I'd want an electric Ferrari, and that's from someone who's got an electric car, has had electric cars previously, would like a Caterham Project V and just generally likes electric cars. But surely with Ferrari you buy the engine and get the car free, it's all about the noise.
I'd like almost all of the Ferrari back catalogue, and the want only starts to tail off with the recent turbo V8 and V6 models, a large part of that being that they just don't sound as good to me.
That may well be a great write up on a platform, but when you put your foot down - you'll just feel massive instant thrust, like in any other EV. Only difference will be it's an even more uncomfortable feeling as more power. Whoopiedo.
There is not and will not be anything other than a very niche market for specialist/fun cars with an EV powertrain - once you've frightened your mum once with the "accelerate with no warning" thing, the novelty wears off.
Can only assume they're doing this because they have to, not because it can have a business case, surely..
(and - 1,000 bhp is definitely enough. Remember with that Lotus you might believe you're in a 2,000bhp car, but you're only in a 2,000 bhp car when you're using 2,000 bhp... which will be never; not on a road anyway)
They’ve also ruled out fake engine sounds instead creating a dedicated EV motor sound, unlike Hyundai and also rumours from Porsche and Honda about recreating classic engine sounds.
Porsche have also announced ‘e-PDK’ simulated gears (like Hyundai)
It must be an incredibly difficult matrix of choices that Ferrari product planners have to deal with.
Not convinced they can produce something to replace the current mid engines range from this architecture though, just look how poorly the SF90 has been received.
Ferraris have always sounded fantastic, but that's never been the whole of the appeal. I think to justify their existence - and outrageous pricing - in a post-ICE world, they will need to make their cars exceptionally beautiful, exceptionally well-handling, and technically superior. Power has become cheap. Lightness is still expensive - I'd suggest that's where they need to win. 1000bhp and 2300kg is Weissach Package Taycan GT territory. It's Model S Plaid territory. That's really not good enough.
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