EVO Car of the Year 2021

The electric bits add considerable weight. I can tell you the car does not feel the weight they are claiming. It feels more in the realm of a 3,500lbs car.

As to how different reactions to the car- its really something new for Ferrari- indeed perhaps the whole world- a car with performance from a higher segment, priced above the then current range but much lower than that “hypercar” level- with what they said was open production but also it seems there will not be so many of these running around.

My theory is some of the journalists are pushing the cars in a way that reveals their ultimate handling, you can see it in the Chris Harris videos, he like sliding these cars around- which is great fun to see when someone of his ability is doing it. I think its a valid way to test things, you want to see how they do when you exceed their capabilities and then come back. These are all street cars and many of them are on very temperature sensitive tires. Maybe some of the other journalists were testing the cars more in line with how the majority of actual owners will drive them- more within the limits of the vehicle and the driver. It sees with the SF90, Ferrari chose wisely and doesn’t let you really turn everything off. I think the journalists are seeking for some kind of drift mode. Maybe they will develop it.

In my case, it was only a day with the SF90, but I was very impressed. I had warm roads and the ability to drive the car fairly hard. It was just plain fun. The only thing I would really take exception with from the Evo review is they say the SF90 feels an electric car first- I really don’t agree with that. This is exactly what I was worried about: the e-stuff would dominate. But it very much feels like a super version of the Pista in terms of the engine sound and getting going. That they made 1000 hp manageable to most drivers and still fun is really some accomplishment. The engine still dominates the experience. I think you could probably slide the Pista around a bit easier but every now and then the Pista can bite you, the SF90 is much less likely to do so- I find it more relevant to our roads in 2022, but you have to remember its still a massive amount of power and you are on those Cup2 tires.. If they are cold it can be a scary experience. Its a shame the car begins in hybrid mode where the engine is off. Its just another thing to add to the start up procedure- go to performance or qualify mode, turn off the stop start….



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3900lbs is still 3900lbs - no matter how you disguise it. One has to brake and accelerate carrying that around- IMO not ideal. Ferrari will get better at it (296 etc) I am sure.

 

will be curious to see comparisons between sf90 and 296. does lighter, rwd 296 gain enough agility to compensate for less total power? will ferrari allow 296 be a better drive car than the flagship? like porsche with 911 v cayman. i dont think so

 

Neither do I. I've been told on several occasions now that the actual weight difference will be less than 100 kg. That may sound like a lot, but if the average SF90 is about 1750 kg wet, then 1650-1675 kg still a lot. Unfortunately the 296 does nkt have real torque vectoring to aid in agility, so I suspect that the weight will be more noticable. The SF90 is the flagship and was meant to live alongside the 296, so no, I don't think Ferrari will allow the little V6 car to outshine the SF90 in anything but price of entry and practicality. I don't even think that in the real world power-to-weight ratio will be similar. We'll see soon enough though.

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So much to agree with here.

One thing I think the Evo test completely overlooks. Is the fact that the SF90 is a big handful in cold wet conditions. None of the other cars are remotely close to being as powerful, so obviously they aren't struggling as badly putting the power down.

I don't know if it is just me, but there seems to be a trend at the moment of Euro and UK motoring journos banding together in disliking anything hybrid, especially the SF90. It's sort of the popular car to dislike. Ever since Harris voiced his concerns, that's what they parrot off of him. God forbid you had a mind of your own. Just listen to the "review" they give the SF90. They all say the same, over and over in this video. It's like none of them have an independent thought and nobody wants to be "that guy" actually liking it.

This fully compute with the conversation Metcalfe and Andy Wallace once had about these testers. According to Wallace, most were totally useless. Not because they could not drive, but because they kept asking accompanying test drivers or other journalists what to think or what to write.

In this CotY vid, it's not even just the SF90. They do it all along. Just repeating the last guy. It's utter rubbish.

Interestingly Harris was not super impressed with the first car he drove, but very impressed by the AF car which had an updated ESC software.

This whole thing about them agreeing that it feels like an EV with an ICE is the dumbest thing I have heard in months. When in performance or qualy mode, the ICE is completely dominating the car, and the electric motors are seamlessly integrated and very hard to notice.

Good grief. Proper junk that vid is.

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I agree with EVO that I would rather have the STO than the SF90.

I have tested both and the SF90 left me cold. I even prefer the F8 to the SF90, more fun, easy, agile and simple. But both sound like a Golf GTI though…

 

Well the SF90 is very heavy, Brooks just weighed his at 3913lbs. It's a super pig but a powerful one. Like the SF90, the Taycan Turbo S drives great as street car and hides its 5000lb weight pretty well but at some point physics takes over. Trying to toss a 4000lb, 1000hp car around is not going to be as much fun as a 3000lb, 600 HP car.
I chose between three SF90 and an LT and it was a no brainer. I'm also adding the STO for similar reasons. Other than the Pista and F8 which you can't order right now there isn't another mid engine they make that has any appeal to me.

 

For the road use, weight is not always bad thing. Weight adds stability.
Do we care about brake wear or tire wear that much because it is heavy car for the road use? Other than these brake and tire wear, nothing to complain about road use because of weight.
As for driving experiences, well, that depends who is looking for what.
I as a drift junky looked for great hybrid 4wheel drifter for fun on track and a good or at least drivable road car for long or short blast.
Turns out SF90 is not a good drifter at all but a great car for a road.
Chris harris told a truth about the car on track. I, too, dont trust car will behave same on each corner with esc off and ct off makes better driver.
But on the road, oh my god. This is so good. Just put it in qualifying mod and ct off. Drive like ICE car and it impresses!
I didn’t feel the weight on track unless extreme heavy brake after long straight, even which car handled well, and neither on the road. It is just number that front torque vectoring and clever Ferrari magic will take care of.

For me, SF90 is second best to tdf among 430, f12, ff, 458, 488, pista, 812, and gtc4


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I'm not sure I really get the 765LT and STO comparisons. Being it here or on youtube. They are so different and appeal to completely different people. I can't imagine driving an STO through Europe for 10 hours. I can imagine that with an SF90. To me the STO is so narrow in its focus that I don't see much of a point to be honest. If it is so track focused that it barely works on the road, why on earth not get a Huracan Trofeo? The LT is a bit better, but like the Pista, I find that it covers an entirely different realm than what the SF90 was built for. Quite a few like to track their LT, but very few will track their SF90 regularly. To me what the SF90 offers is a level of performance unsurpassed by most other supercars, and it does it in a way which makes it possible to do a fun run from Scandinavia to the Ring or Spa, spend a day there, then drive back. I've done that in a Pista, GT3RS, 488, 812 etc. and a car like the SF90 is well suited for that and the entire experience becomes a lot more fun than if you turn up feeling knackered and worn out from the trip. To each their own. No matter the performance the LT and STO cannot do for me what an SF90 can.

To those questioning the weight I have two questions.

Have you actually driven the SF90 in anger?

Does the weight really matter if it is not felt? If yes, why?

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[QUOTE="] I can't imagine driving an STO through Europe for 10 hours. I can imagine that with an SF90. [/QUOTE]

I will let you know in April

BTW: Both have ZERO luggage space - so similar practical issues wrt luggage.

 

I will let you know in April

BTW: Both have ZERO luggage space - so similar practical issues wrt luggage.[/QUOTE]After receiving the SF90 and looking closer, saying there's zero luggage space is untrue. I also believe our fellow member @Luckylikey took his SF90 for a longer roadtrip this past summer.

I've seen the STO up close and I don't think there's a resemblance in the lack of space for luggage.

Are you receiving an SF90 or STO in April? Have you driven the SF90?

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At 6'2 215 SF90 perfection, sold SV lack of head room but the weight never bothered me.
Ferrari rear V12 is big money and exclusive unlike Lamborghini V12's.
Not sure it will ever get better from Ferrari for buyers like myself who prefer a spider with hyper car performance looks at super car money and doesn't require a list of F cars and appears to be low production.

 

Boasting? You may want to remember that we are in a sub-forum where it's not that easy to impress with tales of business ventures. His point was in fact, quite valid. Rather than accusing him of bragging and boasting, why not just respond to his question rather than making a rather thin and sought accusation?

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I agree that there really isn't a comparison between these sportier models and what is mostly a GT without luggage space. I am sure it is a super car for cruising and long trips but for me I prefer a sports car to be more agile, tighter and ultimately more fun. I have a GTS on order for longer trips and also a couple SUVs. In regards to driving one, I did some light track work last year. You certainly cant push it like the lighter cars mentioned as the weight will get the better of you for both handling and braking. 2 to 3 laps at a time is OK. I dont do much cross country driving but if I did I would prefer something that can carry what I need and be sporty at the same time.

 

SF90 GT weight but faster than LaFerrari on track. Ferrari guys are going to struggle with weight but there are plenty of buyers with AF and Spider options to choose what best suits the owner.
Ferrari appears to be separating their cars by V6 / V8 / V12.

 

Track times have many variables not to mention a single lap vs. capable of multiple laps. Im not so concerned with lap times anyways but more of the feeling the car gives you. The Aventador replacement is going to be bonkers, I have one of those coming as well.

 

What is his point and his question? Perhaps you can enlighten me.

 

I will let you know in April

BTW: Both have ZERO luggage space - so similar practical issues wrt luggage.[/QUOTE]
As I’ve said before, we managed 5 days worth for my wife and I. Including all the ‘optional’ unused clothing that she needs!

 

I just don’t buy the ‘heavy GT’ thing for SF90. With AF it feels anything but. Certainly a world away from 812 GTS (which is brilliant in its own right). Much closer to Speciale, Pista and 2RS in its aggressiveness and agility. Then add more power.

Unless people have driven it for some distance and in anger, it’s really hard to imagine how agile and instantly responsive this 3,900lb car really is.

 

Agree still impressive. Backed off Lambo went Mac Senna and 765LT, hope Lambo alters design for taller people. Winkelman back at Lambo sky is the limit.

 

As someone with a GTS as well, I will say that the SF90 is nothing like it. Aside from the power, a lot of the SF90 feel to me is like a blend of an F8 and Pista, but òn steroids. Also, trust me when I tell you that practicallity of the GTS is not that great. An F8 has more boot space than the GTS. As for how the GTS feels, it is a lot more Lusso than F8. To me the GTS and SF90 coexist perfectly because they are nothing alike. The GTS is a real classic Ferrari GT, but the SF90 is a sportscar. In my universe, the STO and LT occupy a different slot which is trackday focused cars.



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I agree on the GTS but I don't have a fit for the SF, it doesn't do anything better than my other cars except a marginally better 0 to 60 on the street. The GTS has a place, I don't know where the SF fits in. Perhaps if it is was as pretty as the Pista I would make a concession. For longer trips I'll use my Urus.

 

At 5' 10" I'll fit in any Lambo. I'm also a huge fan of the 765, I'll be keeping this one for a long time.

 

Receiving and STO in April and have driven the SF90 on both the road and the track

 

Yup - one can make do and there is space behind the seats in both cars. I am not commenting as to which is more of a PITA but more that neither have great space and one needs to be aware of the space limitations. 5 days is easily doable