Ferrari introduced the first-ever plug-in hybrid dubbed the SF90 Stradale. It is quicker than the mighty LaFerrari, capable of driving on electricity, and it can reach 124 mph in a staggering 6.7 seconds when in attack mode. All of that at a dramatically lower price compared to any other Ferrari capable of such a feat.

Right here, you can learn all the essential facts and features of the most critical Ferrari this year.

The 2021 SF90 Stradale Is Ferrari's First Series Production PHEV

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is Maranello's first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Although an extreme representation of PHEV philosophy, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale is, in part, created to lower the average emissions and consumption within the Ferrari lineup. While Ferrari remained coy on the emission and fuel consumption details, I am sure that the SF90 will be eligible to enter the so-called Low-Emission zones in European cities and elsewhere. That may not sound like a lot, but it is enough to give that electric boost, lower the emissions, and ease the consumption of the 4.0-liter, V-8 ICE.

Furthermore, with a plan to produce more than 10,000 vehicles annually, Ferrari enters the regulatory domain of mass production car manufacturers. That means they submit to most of the same rules any other manufacturer has to comply with.

This Is Why the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Has 3 Electric Motors

Yes, you read that right! The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale has three electric motors under its sexy body.

Why?

All three of them source the power from the small lithium-ion battery pack.

With the introduction of three electric motors, Ferrari got a unique chance to create a 4WD car (the first mid-engine, V-8 powered, 4WD car for the company), and utilize a unique torque vectoring system. With two electric motors in the front, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale's torque vectoring system can vary "between the inside and the outside wheel in cornering based on dynamic conditions." In short, if needed, the system can apply a certain amount of power to a certain wheel in a certain moment, thus enhancing cornering performance. So, apart from providing thrust and enabling the SF90 Stradale to use all the available grip in the right way, the front electric motors also provide power when the SF90 needs to reverse.

It does provide thrust when needed, but it also regenerates energy when decelerating. I'll let Rémi Taffin, Director of Operations at Renault Sport F1 to explain to you what the MGUK does:

“The MGU-K is very similar to what is found in the so-called hybrid production cars. In F1, we have an electric motor that is connected to the petrol engine. During the braking phases, it recovers the energy that is normally lost in heat. We now recover a good part of that kinetic energy that is then stored in a battery. The MGU-K can work in both directions: to recover or to supply energy.”

Ferrari's F1 car has the same tech, and now, the production SF90 has it too. When all three electric motors work together, they can release 218 horsepower.

The V-8 in the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Was Changed a Lot

The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale's twin-turbocharged V-8 engine develops an astounding 780 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. The V-8 engine, evolved from the one in the F8 Tributo (where it develops 710 horsepower), went through a massive change.

By increasing the diameter of cylinders (their bore) to 88 millimeters, Ferrari increased the V-8's capacity to 3,990 ccs. This is now a 4.0-liter, V-8 engine!

Completing the changes, Ferrari engineers also modified:

-* The intake

-* Added a new exhaust manifold

-* Revised the cylinder heads

-* Added new injectors

-* Added a new, smaller flywheel

-* Employed new engine mounts

Ferrari SF90 STradale vs. Ferrari F8 Tributo

The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Introduced Us to a Lot of New Acronyms

I am sure you wonder what the all-new Ferrari SF90 Stradale's acronyms mean. Well, here's the answer:

The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Has a New Chassis

To fight the stresses of the AWD system, new propulsion methods, and even more extreme performance, Ferrari engineers dramatically reimagined the chassis compared to anything we have seen before. Also, they've used new aluminum alloys, special carbon-fiber, and even more rigid materials. All of this is to improve NVH values, increase torsional rigidity, and keep the weight at the lowest levels possible. In fact, the Ferrari SF90 Stradale tips the scales at 3,461 pounds.

The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Has a New Steering Wheel and New Infotainment System

If you thought that the steering wheel on the 488 GTB was busy, take a look at this one. Not only you can control lights, indicators, or modes, but now you have a chance to control the central cluster screens, activate the voice control system, and use the cruise control (same as on the F1 cars).

The reason for the integration of even more controls on the steering wheel is quite smart actually. The infotainment system and the new head-up display play a major role in this.

What's Does The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale's Name Mean?

SF90 means - Scuderia Ferrari 90th anniversary. Stradale, translated from Italian, means road-going! So, the real name of this car is Ferrari Scuderia Ferrari 90th anniversary Road-going! Yes, it is a bit of a mess, but it gives you some clues. The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is the best road-going car Ferrari has produced in its 90 years of history.

I led you astray with this tough.

See, the 2019 Ferrari F1 car is called the SF90! The SF90 Stradale, then, is like an F1 car for the road!

Whatever the case, the new Ferrari SF90 Stradale is simply incredible.

2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Performance

The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale lapped the Fiorano test track in 1 minute and 19 seconds. Do you know what this means? It means that the SF90 Stradale can beat the LaFerrari around the Fiorano. It will be on the tail of the FXX as well. That brute is barely a second quicker there. Yes, the SF90 Stradale is the fastest road-going Ferrari around the Fiorano test track. That's amazing.

Ferrari lap times around the Fiorano track

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale's raw performance numbers go as follow:

Ferrari SF90 Stradale performance figures

Let me tell you that the SF90 Stradale is only 0.2 seconds behind the Chiron in its sprint to 124 mph and only 0.1 seconds behind the Koenigsegg Regera. I firmly believe that 0-62 mph comparison in this strange bracket of insanity is beside the point. I don't even believe the claimed 2.5 seconds to 62 for the SF90 Stradale. It will do 2 on a good day. It has to. It has freaking 1,000 normal horsepower.

The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Does Not Have a Reverse Gear

The new dual-clutch eight-speed gearbox is quicker than before, 22 pounds lighter, and provides better fuel efficiency. The thing is that it does not have a reverse gear. At all. If you want to go in reverse in your SF90 Stradale, you have to select eDrive mode (electric mode), and select R. In that case, only the electric motors on the front wheels will provide power.

Kinda cool!

Ferrari SF90 Stradale Aerodynamics

The Ferrari SF90 Stradale generates 860 pounds of downforce at 150 mph. More important than that is the fact that the aerodynamic magic provides the cooling for numerous features that get really hot when driving hard. That was the most challenging part - the development of the aerodynamics that will disperse the heat correctly and effectively, but also provide insane amounts of downforce. With many active aerodynamic surfaces (like that sleek rear wing), the SF90 Stradale features an advanced aerodynamic setup.

While all this sounds impressive, I have to tell you that the Ferrari isn't even close to the extreme with this kind of downforce. Remember that ugly McLaren Senna? Well, that thing produces 1,764 pounds of downforce at 155 mph. The McLaren P1, which is older, generate about 440 pounds less, but still more than the SF90 Stradale.

Don't let this discourage you. I would argue that the Ferrari SF90 Stradale downforce is on par with the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. That one can produce up to1,080 pounds of downforce at its maximum velocity.

2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Assetto Fiorano Package

The Assetto Fiorano package is like a track package for a hypercar. Choose this and yours Ferrari SF90 Stradale will get:

-* GT racing-derived Multimatic shock absorbers

-* carbon fiber door panels

-* carbon fiber underbody

-* titanium springs

-* titanium exhaust

-* carbon-fiber rear spoiler

-* soft, track loving and track hugging Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 tires

2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale eManettino Switch

I will go on a limb here and suppose that you don't know what the Manettino switch does on Ferrari cars?

In short, with this little lever (manettino in Italian), you can usually control suspension settings, traction control, electronic differential, and speed of the gearbox.

Unlike the classic Manettino, which is heavily inspired by the same switch in Ferrari F1 cars, the driver can choose between four different modes on the eManettino. They affect the propulsion system. I'll let Ferrari explain how eManettino modes work in detail:

I am wondering if you can you deplete the battery if you select the Qualify mode and drive around the track at the limit for, say, half of an hour!? After all, Ferrari did say that the battery can provide maximum assistance and power for a lap even on the longest tracks on earth (including that one - the Nurburgring).

What if you want to drive five full laps on the Nurburgring? Would you have enough electric boost?

How Much Does the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Cost?

Of course, Ferrari did not reveal the SF90 Stradale's price, but the word on the street is that it will cost more than $500,000. That's steep. But not steep enough, it seems. More than 2,000 people noted interest in this Ferrari. It is a big seller.

And I am not even surprised. You have Koenigsegg Regera and Bugatti Chiron levels of performance here, for a fraction of price.

I cannot believe that I'm saying that half a mil seems like a bargain.

This price sits the Ferrari SF90 Stradale in the same bracket as the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ. It is quite incredible how different these two cars are. Yet, when it comes to speed and dollars. Both of them knock it out of the park.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari

Read our full review on the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale.

Read our full speculative review on the 2021 Ferrari LaFerrari Successor.