Ferrari brings Universo Ferrari, an immersive exhibition, to Southeast Asia for the first time. Showcasing the world of Ferrari encompassing their race cars, sports cars, and even lifestyle, this ultimate display of passion for the Prancing Horse serves as the regional debut of the new Ferrari supercar, the F80.
Several iconic racecars and sportscars headed straight from Ferrari’s headquarters in Maranello, Italy to Bangkok, Thailand for the three-day event.
Showgoers saw the Ferrari F80 outside of Maranello for the very first time. Unveiled to the world last October, the F80 is the latest in Ferrari’s line of supercars which includes illustrious models such as the F40, F50, and La Ferrari.
Distilling all Ferrari know-how into a single car, the F80 is the Prancing Horse’s new benchmark when it comes to innovation and engineering excellence. Using a motorsport-derived V6 engine, it makes the most power of any production Ferrari ever: 1,200 horsepower—900 horsepower (and 850 Nm) of this is courtesy of the combustion engine, while three electric motors add a further 300 horsepower. With an 8-speed dual clutch and all-wheel drive, the F80 takes just 2.15 seconds to reach 100 km/h and 5.75 seconds to reach 200 km/h. Top speed? 350 km/h.
Taming all this power, the F80 employs cutting-edge aerodynamics enabling it to achieve a ton of downforce at speeds of 250 km/h. This was done through a clever rework of the underfloor and cooling system layout. Its most distinctive feature, however, is an active rear spoiler that switches between low drag and high downforce setups. Moreover, it employs tech first seen in the Purosangue: an active suspension system that makes sure the right ride height is maintained to optimize the aero.
Style-wise, the F80 is all about aero efficiency. Even before designers put pen to paper, engineers dictated the placement of all the mechanicals. On top of that, the Ferrari Styling Center mixed sci-fi and retro elements, throwing in butterfly doors for good measure. It has mixed size tires with 285/30R20s at the front and 345/30R21s at the back with carbon fiber wheels.
Originally envisioned as a “mono-seater,” Ferrari opted for a “1+” seating instead. This means that the driver sits slightly ahead of the sole passenger with all the controls canted towards him. Moreover, only the driver’s seat is adjustable (and customizable) with the passenger’s being fixed to the chassis. A new steering wheel, with a flatter top and bottom (as well as physical instead of touch-sensitive controls), is making its debut here.
The Ferrari F80 will go on sale starting late 2025 with a production run that’ll go up until Ferrari’s 80th anniversary in 2027. All 799 examples have already been spoken for, but the Philippines, we were told, was able to get allocations.
The regional launch of the F80 was attended by Enrico Galliera, Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer of Ferrari SpA as well as Francesco Bianchi, President of Ferrari APAC & Middle East.
After the F80, visitors got up close with Michael Schumacher’s F1-2000. This iconic Formula 1 car helped Schumacher win his third F1 World Championship by clinching 10 victories in 17 races. It also marked Ferrari’s return to the Constructor’s Championship after 21 years. Other displays such as current Ferrari F1 pilot Charles Leclerc’s suit, a Japanese GP Driver’s Trophy, and an Italian GP Constructor’s Trophy were there as well.
Moving on, there was the Ferrari F499P Le Mans Hypercar—the two-time champion at the 24 Hours of Le Mans (and the basis of the F80’s advanced powertrain) as well as the 296 GTB GT3 race car and the customer racing series (Corse Clienti) 296 Challenge. The latter two are showcased in their interactive exhibits with light and sound effects.
Among the sportscars on display included the Ferrari Daytona SP3. A member of the Icona series, this USD 2.25-million sportscar has a mid-mounted 6.5-liter V12 engine. Joining it are the likes of the SF90 XX Stradale, the Purosangue, the 296 GTB, the Roma Spider, the 812 Superfast, and the Ferrari 12Cilindri.
Finally, in the Ferrari Classiche Zone, there’s the 308 GTB and the Ferrari F50—a car made to celebrate the brand’s 50th anniversary.
“Universo Ferrari is an exclusive event that showcases the timeless beauty, innovative technology, and dynamic performance that Ferrari has led the automotive industry with for over 77 years,” says Enrico Galliera. “I am delighted to introduce the journey of innovation that the brand has embarked on to our clients and fans in Thailand, a very important market for Ferrari.”
This is the fourth Universo Ferrari following Italy, Australia, South Korea, and now, Thailand. It’s a journey into the essence of Ferrari, a celebration of passion, performance, and craftsmanship. Whether a lifelong aficionado, or discovering the magic of Ferrari for the first time, it’s a great opportunity to experience the world of Ferrari in its most dynamic form.
