On the road: 2015 LaFerrari
On the road: 2015 LaFerrari
7:15

On the road: 2015 LaFerrari

Auto Tech
[SOUND] This is one of those days when I'm surprised they pay me. [SOUND] [NOISE] With me is Ferrari's ultimate street car ever. The La Ferrari, following in the lineage of the F40, the F50, the Enzo they only do one of these about every 10 or 12 years. They're very special, they're very limited and you don't just show up in [UNKNOWN] with a million and a half dollar check and take one home. You have to own some Ferraris, important ones at that, and then they may deign to sell you one of these. And when you do bring it home, you've got something more than the latest ultimate Ferrari. You've got the first one in my estimation to jump fully with both feet into the 21st century. This car is important. [MUSIC] The styling of LaFerrari was actually done in-house. At Ferrari. Which is actually notable, after 50, 60 some odd years, having Pininfarina pen almost all of their cars. But, what's happening here is really interesting. There's not that much left for a stylist to do in the Modern super-car era, the shape is determined by how the car functions in the wind. There are almost more holes and ports and cutouts than there is positive mass. What you're seeing here is a carbon fiber skin Drawn tight over the least amount of guts the car has to have. [MUSIC] And of course this is Ferrari's first street hybrid. It's HY-KERS technology, hybrid kinetic energy recovery system. It actually dates back to 2009 in F1, it didn't take that many years for it to hit the streets. When you got something this pretty, you don't hide it and they don't. Here's the heart of the beast, starting with a 6.3 liter naturally upgraded V12 underneath this enormous carbon fiber platinum is some band in F1 technology, valuable light intake runner It allows you to have the engine run perfectly at any RPM range, by varying the run, from intake to the cylinder, which doesn't want to always be the same. And in this car, it isn't. Then you get to the more modern stuff. This is the HPU, the hybrid power unit. Which brings in power from the batteries, and sends it on down to the electric motor, right down there, bolted on the tail end of the transmission. Up here you see some of the orange cabling, that's a dead giveaway this car is electrified. It leads up to batteries that live behind the two front seats, down and low, and they each live in their own little hermetically sealed refrigerators. This electric apparatus weighs over 300 pounds, so it better earn its keep, and it does. Contributing a 164 horsepower to the massive combined 950, and the best 147 of the total 664 pound feet of torque. As a result of the electric componentry back here, the traditional engine up here doesn't need to worry quite so much about being a torque motor. It can do more with breathing. On high RPM. And it's redline is 9250. And the low end stuff is brought in by the electrics. Where does it all go? Interestingly, and against current fashion, it goes to two wheels only in the back. While other super cars are going all wheel drive, this one plants it Just two places through a seven speed dual clutch transmission through one of Ferrari's outstanding F1 gear boxes. Now in addition to using carbon fiber on the outside, you've got a clear message of carbon fiber on the inside, cuz this is the carbon fiber cabin tub. It only weighs 150 pounds, the actual shell I'm sitting in. Part of how they kept the weight down is keeping it small, as you can probably also see. By having these seats actually be immovable, they're just stationary benches, they were able to make the cabin smaller, because you didn't have to leave room to make the seat track move back and forth. Instead, you adjust the wheel and the pedal. Back here is a LCD instrument panel, not their first, but in this case, it's changeable and has different modes. That is a first for Ferrari. You've got a more traditional [UNKNOWN] look, and then, you've got one that more speaks to the fact this is an electrified car with a center [UNKNOWN] that has different indications whether your re-generating or spending electric power. Here's a real crowd pleaser, this sort of, carbon fiber batwing down here has your drive controls, reverse, automatic, and launch control. The last little trick is over here behind this door. Here's a usb slot that is different from the one for media and communication. This one holds a memory drive. It's gonna pick up recording of video from the forward-looking camera behind the mirror And this one over here in this trick little carbon fiber pod, that's watching the driver. It puts those two together and records them as you make your lap. [SOUND] Let's see I'm on the track, in the wet, in a 900. [INAUDIBLE] [LAUGH] Don't tell my life insurance agent. One of the first things you notice in this car is the fact that it doesn't present a huge amount of hybridness. There aren't a whole bunch of electric modes. There isn't that electric boost button like you have on a V1. This is a car that really buries the hybrid part, but buries it under the accelerator. In fact, what you would call technically a mild parallel hybrid. But of course there is nothing mild about the results. Now to mortals like us, all supercars feel the same in one respect. They are all much more than you can exploit. So what do I find distinctive about this car? It's really a joy to drive at your Our limits, invoking more grins and less sweat. And whether on the track, or on the street, asking you sacrifice very little in terms of livability, all while making you feel like a superhero. Okay, now when you're driving a car, and by the way, it's someone else's car that goes for about $8,000 an inch slice, you're glad for certain technologies that keep it under control. First of all, Ferrari's remarkable stability control. This lovely DCT transmission is perfect. There's absolutely nothing about it in Tracker Street that I don't like. Big old carbon ceramic brakes are, of course, like driving a nail through this thing when you need it to. But you also get some nice braking through regen going back into the motor. That's classic hybrid stuff, but also, when the engine's got too much torque cooking, like when I come in this turn, It'll convert some of that into power back in, and as you can see all around this car you've got active flaps and slots. And behind me the most fascinating giant emerging wing in autodom. [SOUND] Pricing [UNKNOWN] Ferrari. [SOUND] Doesn't matter. It's about a million and a half or so. And you can do endless personalization that take it where you want. The real story in conclusion here is that if you're lucky enough to own or just drive one of these you've tapped in to. To a lot of technologies and design ethic that are the future of Ferrari. But also a super car that is a joy to drive, not just a hellacious hammer on the track. Few super cars can pull off that balancing act. This one does. [SOUND] More cars driven CNET style, standing by now at CNETOnCars.com. Click On the Road. [MUSIC]

Up Next

Crash Testing New Electric Cars Proves They're Typically Safer
ev-crash-tests-00-02-09-11-still260

Up Next

Crash Testing New Electric Cars Proves They're Typically Safer

See What Makes the Best Tire for Your Electric Car
ion-evo-as-suv-ih01a-motion-graphics-mp4-00-02-48-12-still001

See What Makes the Best Tire for Your Electric Car

Why Are So Many Electric Cars, Scooters and Bikes Burning?
ev-battery-fires-00-02-02-15-still243

Why Are So Many Electric Cars, Scooters and Bikes Burning?

Seen the New 2023 Prius? Here's Why It's Turning Heads
2023-prius-reveal-b-roll-toyota-mp4-00-00-39-19-still001

Seen the New 2023 Prius? Here's Why It's Turning Heads

The Bestselling EVs of 2022
best-selling-evs-2022-00-02-00-17-still233

The Bestselling EVs of 2022

Best Dash Cams: A Buying Guide
cnet-buyers-guide-dashcams-2022-00-00-27-07-still086

Best Dash Cams: A Buying Guide

GM's Electric Pickups Head On: Comparing the Sierra EV to the Silverado EV
b-roll-gmc-sierra-ev-denali-edition-1-gmc-mp4-00-03-33-14-still003

GM's Electric Pickups Head On: Comparing the Sierra EV to the Silverado EV

Meet a Mind-Bending Hybrid: The Sono Sion Solar-Grid EV
sono-sion-00-09-01-10-still220

Meet a Mind-Bending Hybrid: The Sono Sion Solar-Grid EV

These Are the Cars That Qualify Now for the New Tax Credit
large-15747-2023-id-4-volkswagen

These Are the Cars That Qualify Now for the New Tax Credit

Don't Buy an EV Until You See the Most Important Ones Coming in 2023
221007-yt-electrified-best-evs-coming-in-2023-3

Don't Buy an EV Until You See the Most Important Ones Coming in 2023

Tech Shows

The Apple Core
apple-core-w

The Apple Core

Alphabet City
alphabet-city-w

Alphabet City

CNET Top 5
cnet-top-5-w

CNET Top 5

The Daily Charge
dc-site-1color-logo.png

The Daily Charge

What the Future
what-the-future-w

What the Future

Tech Today
tech-today-w

Tech Today

Latest News All latest news

New Xbox Leaked
240328-yt-xbox-leaked-image-v01

New Xbox Leaked

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories
screenshot-2024-03-22-at-17-41-16.png

Apple and Meta Are Competing for Your Memories

Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies
240321-site-nvidia-project-groot-vs-tesla-optimus-v1

Nvidia's Project GR00T vs. Tesla Optimus: Competing Robot Strategies

What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like
240321-site-apple-and-gemini-ai

What Google Gemini AI on the iPhone Could Look Like

DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit
240321-site-doj-sues-apple-for-antitrust-on-iphone-v2

DOJ Sues Apple: Everything to Know About the Antitrust Suit

Most Popular All most popular

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
innovation

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
240123-site-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-4

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
circlesearchpic

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
asus-preces-00-00-25-11-still003

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
samsung-galaxy-ring-clean

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
240111-site-best-of-ces-2024-1

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024

Latest Products All latest products

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
pic3

Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
240320-site-nuro-r3-first-look-v1

Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
240304-site-nothing-phone-2-first-look-v3

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
240229-site-best-of-show-at-mwc

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
240225-site-lenovo-translucent-laptop-concept-v3

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
240225-site-motorola-rollable-concept

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist

Latest How To All how to videos

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
240311-site-windows-11-hidden-tips-and-tricks-v2

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
VisionOS 1.0.3

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
240216-site-galaxy-s24-ultra-tips-and-hidden-features-2

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
tiktok-on-vision-pro-clean

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
superbowl-tv-settings-thumb1

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
240202-site-spatial-computing-on-meta-quest-3

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro