The Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale will be the fastest road car to lap Fiorano

Launched with hypercar power, a supercar price and Ferrari’s first series-production plug-in hybrid powertrain, the original SF90 Stradale certainly drew some eyes. Given some time and the launch of the Assetto Fiorano package, it’s proven to be a formidable performer on both the road and track, but Ferrari has taken it further still with its latest Special Series model.

While named SF90 XX after its most exclusive track-only models, it retains number plates, launching as a hardcore, limited-run road car designed for the track. Building on the ordinary SF90 Stradale, Ferrari will build 799 SF90 XX Stradales along with 599 in Spider-form, priced from €770k (c£660k) and €850k (c£730k) respectively. Unsurprisingly, each and every example has already been accounted for. 

Revealed at Fiorano circuit in the building dedicated to the development of everything from the marque’s Challenge Cars to its Le Mans-winning 499P, the XX bridges the gap between the likes of the 812 Competitzione and a track-only XX car. The model is the first of its kind, adopting an entirely new concept for a Ferrari road car with extreme track focus and a fixed rear wing, something last seen in the late ‘90s with the iconic F50.

The SF90 Stradale is already the fastest road-going Ferrari to lap Fiorano, with a time of 1:19.0 – seven tenths quicker than the mighty LaFerrari. The more extreme SF90 XX is sure to take number one spot as the firm's most capable production car yet.

Powertrain 

At its core is the same 4-litre twin-turbocharged 90-degree V8 as the ordinary Stradale, now with polished inlet and exhaust ducts, new pistons, a modified combustion chamber and an increase in compression ratio boosting output by 17bhp to 786bhp – engine weight is also down 3.5kg thanks to the removal of the secondary air system. As before, a trio of electric motors (two on the front axle and the third between the transmission and engine) supplement the combustion engine, bringing the total to 1016bhp. Ferrari has also extracted more power from this system, flipping its front-mounted cooling radiator for a boost in efficiency and a 13bhp increase in output.

Performance

With this extra power directed to all-four wheels through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, the XX knocks two tenths of the base car’s 0-62mph time, covering the sprint in just 2.3sec. The 0-124mph run happens in just 6.5sec against the standard coupe's 6.7, with the Spider taking 6.7sec – three tenths quicker than the SF90 Spider. That new aero package adds drag, however, pegging top speed back to 199mph from 211mph. Ferrari has trimmed out 10kg of weight for the track special, which comes in at 1560kg dry; this helps boost the power-to-weight ratio to c651bhp/ton (612bhp/ton for the heavier XX Spider). Though it produces a 789bhp, the 1198kg (dry) McLaren Senna achieves an extra 8bhp/ton by comparison. Making its debut on a road-going Ferrari is an ‘extra boost’ feature, providing up to 30 segments of additional power for corner exit when in Qualifying mode.

Aerodynamics

The most notable new addition is the SF90 XX’s fixed rear wing, which generates 315kg of downforce at 155mph by itself. A closed underbody with numerous aero devices, front end aerodynamic additions and the likes of TDF-esque arch louvres all contribute to a total downforce figure of 530kg, a 140kg increase over the standard car. There’s even an active Drag Reduction System beneath the rear wing, manipulating airflow to stall the wing during high speed sections and reduce drag. In the coupe, twin outlets behind the passenger compartment improve cooling, with the primary intakes aft of the doors also more aggressive, now fitted with a diversion duct to separate high speed air.

Design

The core design stays true to the standard SF90, with the same ‘hammerhead shark’ front graphic appearing once more, only now with more aggression – the new central front intake and dual outlets can also be optioned in contrasting colours for extra visual flare. Wing aside, the rear is where the main differences lie, with an extended rear deck providing a long tail aesthetic. A full-width light bar similar in style to that found on the 499P Le Mans car is also now equipped, mounted above an aggressive new diffuser. Unusually, there’s also no Ferrari badge on the rear face – only on the rear deck beneath the wing. 

Interior

Inside, it’s a similar story to any of Ferrari’s recent specials, with carpets optional and tightly-woven satin carbonfibre trim to be found on the dashboard, centre console and bulkhead. The door cards are also now finished in satin carbon, echoing the design of those striking arch louvres with a triple vent design. New seats have been designed specifically for the SF90 XX too, weighing just 5.6kg a piece thanks to a refined carbonfibre construction – while designed to look like motorsport-esque one-piece items, they are in two pieces, offering improved usability. The standard car’s HMI is carried over, with the only notable change to the driver zone being the addition of the ‘extra boost’ gauge on the digital dashboard.

Chassis

Ferrari says it has worked to improve off-centre steering in the XX, and an increased spring rate and a reduced ride height at the rear is said to boost stability. Behind standard 20-inch wheels are bespoke pads and discs, with a 298mm front and 290mm rear setup. Combined with a new ABS-Evo braking system with high resolution ‘6D’ sensors, braking distances are reduced 13m to just 108.1m from 124-0mph. At a cost, buyers can also specify 20-inch carbonfibre wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R rubber (Cup 2s are standard). 

Ferrari SF90 XX Stradale/Spider specs