We thought we’d already discovered the most important things a few weeks ago in Portugal. But Ferrari doesn't seem to want to keep its upcoming track-only beast under wraps for very long. After being spotted during testing in Portimão this summer, the car already being dubbed the Ferrari F80XX has just been spotted once again, this time at a particularly symbolic location: the Imola circuit.
New photos and videos posted by imola_spotting show the prototype in the midst of a test session at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari. And the more kilometers it racks up, the more likely it seems that a radical version of the F80 seems to be confirmed.
An F80 modified for the track
Under its red, black, and white camouflage, there’s no mistaking this Ferrari for a standard F80. The basic design is recognizable, but its aerodynamics appear to have been thoroughly reworked. The most spectacular feature is the massive fixed rear wing, mounted on tall swan-neck supports. This is a very different approach from the road-going F80, which is equipped with an active wing. The prototype also features a particularly imposing front splitter, a significantly redesigned rear diffuser, and numerous elements designed to channel airflow.
The new images taken at Imola provide a much better view of the upper section and the rear of the car. The engine hood features multiple vents, and the entire design appears to be entirely focused on cooling and aerodynamic efficiency. Even the exhausts seem to have been moved to a very high position. So this is clearly not just an F80 fitted with a few extra appendages.
From Portimão to Imola, development is picking up pace
This prototype had already caught our attention in late July in Portimão. An internet user had photographed it without knowing exactly what he was looking at. The images quickly led people to believe it was an F80XX, especially since Ferrari had previously filed several trademarks related to its new hypercar, including the F80 Targa, F80 Roadster, FXX80, and F80XX. Two months later, its appearance at Imola provided another clue. Ferrari now appears to be stepping up test sessions for this mysterious version, even though its official name has still not been confirmed by Maranello.
The successor to the FXX-K?
If Ferrari does indeed go with the F80XX name, this car could become the direct successor to the FXX-K—which was itself derived from the LaFerrari and intended exclusively for track use. The powertrain alone gives a hint of its performance potential. The F80 produces 1,200 HP thanks to a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid engine paired with three electric motors. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.15 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in just 5.75 seconds.
It remains to be seen just how far Ferrari will go with this variant. More power? Less weight? Much more downforce? The technical specifications remain unknown. But judging by the scope of the modifications and the testing now underway at Imola, Ferrari is clearly preparing something far more radical than its already very impressive F80.
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