Ferrari’s latest supercar, the F80, has been named a Red Dot Best of the Best awardee for 2025, sharing the honor with its V12 siblings, the 12Cilindri and 12Cilindri Spider. But among the three, the F80 arguably makes the boldest statement in what it represents for the brand.
The F80 was built from the ground up as the supercar of the 2020s, a modern torchbearer following in the tire tracks of legends like the GTO, F40, and LaFerrari. It was developed through intense collaboration between Ferrari’s designers, engineers, aerodynamicists, and ergonomics specialists.
One of the more unusual elements in its design came from an early debate over whether it should be a single-seater or a two-seater. Ferrari decided to do something in between. The result is what they call a “1+” layout. The driver sits front and center, in true racing fashion. The passenger seat is tucked slightly back and out of sight. It’s a layout that puts the focus squarely on the person behind the wheel, and that alone sets the tone for everything else.
That interior design shift also influenced how the car looks from the outside. The cabin rises like a glass dome, giving the F80 a spaceship-like silhouette. This helps with aerodynamics, too, as the streamlined shape improves airflow over the body and reduces drag.
Underneath that sculpted carbon-fiber body is a serious powertrain. At its core is a 3.0-liter V6 derived from the engine that won back-to-back Le Mans victories in 2023 and 2024. This version, internally dubbed F163CF, delivers 900 horsepower on its own. The remaining 300 hp comes from an 800-volt hybrid system that includes an electric front axle and a rear-mounted motor. Ferrari also added an energy-recovery system similar to those found in Formula 1 cars to eliminate turbo lag.
Combined, the F80 produces 1,200 horsepower. And it’s not just about straight-line speed; the car’s active aerodynamics and downforce figures are just as aggressive. At 250 km/h, it generates 1,050 kilograms of downforce. An active rear wing adjusts constantly, working with a suspension setup that includes parts made via 3D-printed metal, a first for Ferrari.
It also uses something called Boost Optimization. When on track, this feature gives the car extra power in specific areas of the lap where it will help the most, trimming lap times without wasting energy.
Only 799 units will be made, with production running until 2027, which coincides with Ferrari’s 80th anniversary. So yes, the F80 is not just named for the sake of sounding cool.
Red Dot’s jury called the F80 “groundbreaking,” and praised its mix of classic Ferrari cues with futuristic styling and performance tech. While only time will tell if it earns a place among Ferrari’s true icons, it’s already carved out its own place in the brand’s legacy.