Mecum Auctions has announced that they will be offering not one, but two, ultra-rare Ferrari LaFerraris for sale at their flagship Kissimmee sale, on January 3–13, 2019.
In 2007, Ferrari set out to design a revolutionary new road car that would incorporate all the engineering and technology developed in their championship-winning Formula One program, with the latest hybrid technology to create the “ultimate” road going Ferrari and a worthy successor to the Ferrari Enzo.
The result of this development program was debuted to the world at the 2013 Geneva Auto Show and was named “LaFerrari”, which when translated literally meant “The” Ferrari, a not so subtle nod to the car’s clear superiority over its predecessors. According to Ferrari Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo, “We chose to call this model LaFerrari because it is the finest expression of our company’s unique, unparalleled engineering and design know-how, including that acquired in Formula One.”
While the LaFerrari was brimming with firsts and superlatives, the core of its design—and its superiority—was a groundbreaking powertrain. The LaFerrari featured a 6.3-liter (6,262-cc) F140 direct injection, 60-degree V-12 engine that produced a whopping 789-HP at 9,000 rpm, with a neck snapping 516-lb-ft of torque generated at 6,750 rpm. While this would be sufficient to launch the LaFerrari into Supercar territory, Ferrari then chose to mate this engine with an F1-inspired HY-KERS, hybrid kinetic energy recovery system that could generate 120kW of additional energy, thus boosting the LaFerrari’s total available power output to 950-HP and 664-lb-ft of torque. The high levels of instantly available torque generated at low revs from the electric motor allowed the engineers to optimize the V-12 engine’s performance at higher revs, thus providing almost limitless power throughout the rev range, while at the same time reducing the LaFerrari’s fuel consumption by a staggering 40%. All this motive force was then transferred through a semi-automatic 7-speed, dual clutch transmission that fed into an electronically controlled differential. Keeping this power connected to the ground was an unequal length wishbone suspension up front with a multilink rear suspension, while the braking system was also Grand Prix inspired with super-lightweight Brembo carbon-ceramic disc brakes all the way around.
Keeping with the use of cutting edge Formula One technology, this advanced powerplant was then nestled into an all-carbon fiber monocoque chassis designed by Ferrari’s F1 designer, Rory Byrne and manufactured in the same race facility that produces Ferrari’s F1 cars. As a result, the LaFerrari chassis has 27% more torsional stiffness than its Supercar predecessor, the Enzo, and yet is lighter by some 66-lbs.
Inside the LaFerrari, the cockpit too took its cues from Ferrari’s Grand Prix cars, with the driver sitting in a lower and more recumbent position and with the leather covered racing seats being mounted in a fixed position, with the Formula One-style steering wheel and pedals adjusting fore and aft to the driver.
As with any modern Grand Prix car, the LaFerrari also boasts an impressive array of electronic driver aids and controls such as Ferrari’s EF-1 Trac F1 traction control system that fully integrates the V-12 engine and KERS system, with the transmission, the differential, the brakes and even the LaFerrari’s active aerodynamic systems. The result is a car that can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 2.4-seconds and 0-124 mph in just 7-seconds and was able to lap the Ferrari test track at Fiorano 58-seconds faster than the Ferrari Enzo, with a top speed of 217 mph.
Considered one of most exclusive and sought after Ferraris of the modern era, only 500 examples of the LaFerrari coupe were constructed between June 2013 and January 2016, for a select clientele. The coupe on offer from its original owner with just 418 miles on the odometer was constructed in 2014 and came from the factory resplendent in custom-ordered Rosso Fuoco paint, with 19”/20” black alloy forged wheels that feature custom red pinstriping. Other custom ordered factory options include carbon fiber fog lamps, custom stitched Prancing Stallions on the headrests, dashboard carbon fiber livery, Prancing Horse emblem on the gas filler cap, color matched interior vents, red stitching on the seats, as well as an extensive carbon fiber package. An indication of the car’s unique, bespoke nature is the inclusion of the signatures of all the Ferrari technicians that constructed the car, on the engine’s carbon fiber coverplate.
Introduced in October 2016 to commemorate Ferrari’s 70th anniversary, the LaFerrari Aperta is even more exclusive than its predecessor, with production limited to a mere 210 cars, 200 of which were reserved, not surprisingly, for Ferrari’s most passionate and faithful customers. Like the coupe, the Aperta employs the same advanced technology born of the company’s Formula One hybrid powertrain and chassis design expertise. Rosso Corsa paint coats this 2016 LaFerrari Aperta’s sleek coachwork and provides dramatic contrasting accents on the Pirelli P-Zero-shod 19-inch and 20-inch forged alloy wheels and brake calipers, the theme repeating on the exposed intake plenum and in the black leather and carbon-fiber interior.
Exterior options include Argento Nürburgring racing livery trim; carbon-fiber wheel caps, outside mirrors, lower trim and rear fog lamp; black sport exhaust tips; a front lift system; and a black carbon-fiber hardtop. The LaFerrari Aperta’s charger, books, manuals, tool kit and car cover are included, along with a set of driving gloves. On the interior of this pristine example, optional amenities include telemetry and track cameras, integrated audio with navigation and red headrest embroidery.
The LaFerrari coupe and Aperta represent the ultimate enclosed coupe and open-cockpit road Ferraris of all time, offering an unparalleled driving experience and incomparable exclusivity. While it is extremely rare to have either one come up for sale, having an example of each on offer is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
For more information on Mecum’s Kissimmee auction sale visit mecum.com
