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Ferrari to use Formula 1-derived turbo V6 in hardcore LaFerrari XX

2015-laferrari-xx-001-970x548-c
Image used with permission by copyright holder

When LaFerrari was first announced, everybody knew it had big shoes to fill. Not only was it the successor to the legendary Enzo, but it had to go head-to-head with other hybrid supercars like the astounding McLaren P1 and the magnificent Porsche 918. Now, with the LaFerrari XX, Ferrari has raised the bar yet again.

The new XX, simply put, is set to be the most ferocious, violent, and intense production car in Ferrari’s history. Why? Because somebody at Ferrari said a hybrid powertrain producing 950 horsepower and a 0 to 60 time of 2.9 seconds simply wasn’t quick enough. 

According to Top Gear, the new XX will wear improved suspension, tweaked aerodynamics, a re-spec’d electric system, and slick tires. Under the hood will be a Formula One-derived turbocharged V6. 

No official engine specs have been released yet, but Ferrari’s latest F1 powerplant happens to be a 1.6-liter turbo V6 producing 600 horsepower. Coincidence? I think not. Especially considering the video that surfaced last year of a camouflaged LaFerrari doing laps with a very distinct forced-induction soundtrack.

Despite having a warp reactor under the accelerator and improved aero, Ferrari’s Sport Activity Department head Antonella Coletta admitted that it would be “difficult” to increase the performance of LaFerrari much. That said, the XX should be slightly lighter than the standard car. The last “XX” model Ferrari released, the 599XX, was 77 pounds lighter than the standard 599. 

As with previous XX models, LaFerrari XX will be a “track-focused hypercar”, and thus, will not be street legal. So no “civilian gear” like turn signals, trunk space, or tire treads.

Perhaps the scariest thing about this car is Ferrari’s rumored Nürburgring lap time target, a downright terrifying 6:35. If the car can actually manage that time, it would smash all current production car records, besting the Porsche 918 Spyder (6.57), the McLaren P1 (rumored to be 6:47), and even UK manufacturer Radical’s barely legal SR8 (6:55) and the SR8 LM (6:47). 

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
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