Ferrari SF90 XX unveiled as racecar for the road

If you’re familiar with Ferrari’s XX programme, you’ll probably know that these highly-exclusive cars are built for the track only. However, the Italian carmaker has flipped that idea on its head and unveiled a road-going version, called the SF90 XX, in both Stradale (coupe) and Spider form.

The only fitting place to start is with what’s under the bonnet, and that would be the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain found in the regular SF90, only the XX has upped the power by about 22kW to 747kW total.

Ferrari increased the engine’s power by polishing the inlet and exhaust ducts while also raising the compression ratio thanks to a new set of pistons. Some fettling with the intake and exhaust systems has been done to generate a more “intense” soundtrack too.

Three electric motors (two front, one rear) make up the rest of the SF90 XX’s hybrid powertrain and have been equipped with a new “extra boost” function as part of the car’s Qualifying drive mode, enabling the dispersion of maximum power. Its 7.9kWh lithium-ion battery also allows the car to sneak away in silence for up to 25km in fully electric mode.

Although the same 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox has been used as the standard model, it now shifts differently thanks to adopting the same gear-shift logic as the Daytona SP3.

Added up, the racecar for the road can perform a disappearing act from 0 to 100km/h in 2.3 seconds, a 0 to 200km/h sprint in 6.5 seconds, and reach a top speed of 320km/h.

None of that would mean anything without an adequate aerodynamics package though, and it’s safe to say there’s plenty of that just by looking at the car. In fact, it makes double the maximum downforce of the regular SF90. Not only that but it delivers the most efficient aerodynamic performance of any Ferrari ever made.

No doubt the most significant changes are at the rear, where you’ll find a massive fixed rear wing, the first of which to appear on a road-going Ferrari since the mid-1990s F50. When we take into account the rear Gurney flap, a maximum rear downforce of 325kg at 250km/h is possible.

The SF90 XX also benefits from a larger front splitter, a new underbody that improves airflow coming off the radiators up front, two S-ducts on the bonnet, and redesigned side skirts that produce less back pressure.

When the driver eventually comes across a corner at speed and needs to slow down, they’ll be pleased to know that Ferrari fitted the hypercar with an ABS EVO controller which optimises the slip of all four wheels when the large carbon ceramic brake discs are engaged.

Underneath the car sits a set of 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 or Cup 2R tyres, measuring 255/35 at the front and 315/30 at the rear.

The interior has been put on a weight-saving diet with much of it being clad in “technical fabric” instead of leather, while the upper part of the dashboard is trimmed in Alcantara. Other changes include a repositioned gear selector on the central tunnel and new carbon fibre racing seats.

Did we mention that it’ll come in Spider form? That’s right, the SF90 XX can also be optioned with a retractable hard top but it comes in 100kg heavier than the Stradale.

Ferrari will build 799 SF90 XX Stradales and 599 SF90 XX Spiders, far more than any other XX car ever made before. Unfortunately for those who want to get their hands on either model, they’ve already sold out.