The Relentless Rise of Horsepower

The Ferrari horsepower journey has, naturally, meant much enhanced performance. And perhaps more surprisingly, it has been accompanied by much greater driveability. Modern Ferraris are much more tractable and easier to control, especially at low revs. They are faster, even more exhilarating yet – when you want them to be – more docile, too.

But back to that horsepower curve. Over 77 years, the progress has been steep, and it’s got progressively steeper as the journey has progressed. By 1950, Ferrari V12s were producing more than 200 cv.

A new flat-12 engine (in essence, a 180-degree V12), derived from Formula One, came in 1971. It was first used in the 365 GT4 BB, better known as the Boxer. The ’70s were a difficult time for performance cars, as new emission regulations strangled power. However, through fuel injection and sophisticated engine management, these hurdles were soon overcome. Subsequent cars were not just cleaner than ever before, they were also faster. By the time the flat-12 appeared in the 512 TR (successor to the Testarossa), power had now comfortably breached 400 cv (428 cv, to be precise).

The limited edition F50, which was launched in 1995 and used a version of a Formula One engine, saw the 500 cv mark surpassed. The first series production car to exceed 500 cv would be the 575 M Maranello (with 515 cv) of 2002.

A much bigger leap would take place just four years later, with the 599 GTB Fiorano. Its new V12 was based on the Enzo Ferrari supercar’s unit, and maximum power increased to 620 cv. Its huge power was due to numerous technical advances (including continuous variable valve timing), a bigger 6.0-litre capacity and its willingness to rev. The car’s redline was a staggering 8400 rpm.

Today that same stunning V12 – enlarged to 6.5 litres – is used in the Purosangue, and in the 812 (Superfast and GTS), in which it produces 800 cv. Maximum revs are 8900 rpm. With 123 cv/litre, it is one of the most efficient naturally aspirated engines ever made. Technical niceties such as 350-bar direct fuel injection and variable geometry inlet tracts ensure high power and excellent pick-up, even at low revs.

But in order for Ferrari to get to 1000 cv, new technology was needed. The 963 cv LaFerrari of 2013 first showed the possibility of electric hybrid drive, as had recently been showcased in F1. In 2019, the plug-in hybrid SF90 Stradale combined a 780 cv turbo V8 and three electric motors to produce a stratospheric 1000 cv.

The latest SF90 XX raises that by a further 30 cv. As with the SF90 Stradale, the supplementary electric motors don’t just increase power and total performance: they help boost low-down torque and driveability. In a move that not even a visionary like Enzo Ferrari could possibly have forecast, these SF90s aren’t just the fastest and most powerful road Ferraris ever. They also have the lowest official fuel consumption and can drive emission free.