The New “Holy Trinity” of Hypercars

BEST OF | Issue 3 | Spring 2025 | Text: Stefan Arnreiter

With the LaFerrari, the McLaren P1 and the Porsche 918 Spyder, super sports cars heralding a new era were created a decade ago and entered the historical annals as ”the Holy Trinity“. Now a still newer generation of hypercars follows in its wake: Ferrari, McLaren and Aston Martin are currently presenting three new models which, once again, are setting unheard of standards. We present the F80, the W1 and the Valhalla.

Fast – Faster – Ferrari

The F80 is oriented on the iconic Ferraris of the past in a visual sense, yet ticking and purring beneath the fluid body work are the very best components of modern-day sports car technology and Formula 1. This hypercar is powered by a V6-biturbo, supported by three electric motors from which an overall system performance of 1200 hp results. In order to whip the F80 to 100 km/hr in a mind-bending 2.15 seconds, the power is distributed into all four wheels. Whoever is versed in Ferrari technology knows that performance in the curves is more important than blunt-force acceleration. Active aerodynamics and a sensitively adaptive chassis, in other words the driving and coupled axles, are what deliver the necessary support and crescendo in record-breaking times for the whole round. Even more impressive than the pure-and-simple numbers of the F80 is its exclusivity: Ferrari will decide who will own the new hypercar and who won’t.

Ferrari F80

• Motor: 3.0 litre, V6-biturbo + three electric motors
• System output: 1200 hp
• 0–100 km/hr: 2.15 seconds
• Maximum speed: 350 km/hr
• Weight: 1525 kg (dry weight)
• Power train: four-wheel drive
• Transmission: 8-speed duplex clutch

High-performance & mind-blowing attainment

McLaren follows on its heels with the W1 and a completely different approach: instead of four-wheel drive, the Brits have remained loyal to the “widowmaker” image and quite consciously have placed their bets on rear-wheel drive. Also beneath the bonnet of the W1, electric and petrol motors work in tandem, together achieving 1275 hp and 1340 Nm. The sprint to 100 km/hr is accomplished in 2.7 seconds and its maximum speed is clocked at a breathtakingly impressive 350 km/hr. In spite of the enormous performance, the W1 manages to tip the scales at only 1399 kilograms dry weight, comparatively light, due to the fact that the chassis is made completely of carbon. According to McLaren this downright mind-boggling performance is all a consequence of its successful engagement in Formula 1. One thing is clear as crystal: with the W1, the Brits have placed a worthy successor of F1 and P1 on the road.

McLaren W1

• Motor: 4.0 litre, V8-biturbo + electric motor
• System output: 1275 hp
• Torque: 1340 Nm
• 0–100 km/hr: 2.7 seconds
• Maximum speed: 350 km/hr
• Weight: 1399 kg (dry weight)
• Power train: rear-wheel drive
• Transmission: 8-speed duplex clutch

Limited edition. Elegant design. Powerful.

While Porsche is still tinkering with (and presumably racking its brains over) the successor to the 918, Aston Martin unveils a surprise: a veritably divine supercar. The Valhalla takes advantage of a V8-biturbo by AMG, brought to culmination by three electric motors. The overall system output comes to 1079 hp, requires four-wheel drive, and therewith the exclusive Aston lays back the sprint to 100 km/hr in 2.5 seconds. Also the traditional British brand has learned lessons from Formula 1 and optimised the first midship supercar through its engagement on the racetrack. With 999 exemplars, the Valhalla – just like its competitors – is strictly limited. That said, in view of the splendid design and highest driving targets impressively reached there is little doubt that the Valhalla will be sold out in the shortest imaginable time.

F80, W1 and Valhalla are reaching for and testing the technical and physical borders of what is possible, once again, and thereby form the spearhead of hypercars which are permitted for conventional street traffic. Formula 1 hybrid technology has established itself as the new worldwide standard. Yet on that fundamental undisputed basis, the question still remains: when will the limits be reached?

Aston Martin Valhalla

• Motor: 4.0 litre, V8-biturbo (AMG) + three electric motors
• System output: 1079 hp
• Torque: 1100 Nm
• 0–100 km/hr: 2.5 seconds
• Maximum speed: 350 km/hr
• Weight: appx. 1550 kg
• Power train: four-wheel drive
• Transmission: 8-speed duplex clutch