Universo Ferrari, an immersive exhibition celebrating the world of Ferrari, was recently held in Bangkok, Thailand. From 23 to 25 November 2024, visitors were able to see a host of collectable Ferraris and the company’s latest supercar up close. The landmark event marks the fourth such exhibition globally, following Italy, Australia, and Korea, and is the first in Southeast Asia.
Universo Ferrari presented more than 20 remarkable Ferrari models, while bringing state-of-the-art innovation from Maranello, Italy, to Bangkok and Southeast Asia. This provided Ferrari fans in Thailand and neighbouring countries with an unforgettable experience and included limited editions, iconic classics, and the newest wonders like the Ferrari F80 and Ferrari 12Cilindri. The event took place at the upscale retail centre and exhibition space known as UOB Live, Emsphere on Sukhumvit Road.
Notably, Ferrari's new supercar, the F80, which debuted globally in October, was launched regionally at Universo Ferrari. Nandhamalee Bhirombhakdi, Managing Director of Cavallino Motors Co. Ltd., Ferrari's official importer in Thailand; Francesco Bianchi, President of Ferrari APAC & Middle East; and Enrico Galliera, Chief Marketing & Commercial Officer of Ferrari SpA, attended the Asian premiere.
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The Ferrari F80 at Universo Ferrari in Bangkok, Thailand
The F80 joins legendary models like the 1984 GTO and the 2016 LaFerrari Aperta as a ground-breaking addition to Ferrari's stable of cars. The F80 is the most potent road car Ferrari has ever made, showcasing cutting-edge performance and the latest technology. The hybrid hypercar, the replacement for the gorgeous LaFerrari, is the latest in the bloodline of Maranello’s flagship, race enabled road cars, spanning 40 years and six models.
It's easy to see that the F80 represents the pinnacle of Ferrari performance, provided by the company’s current motorsports-derived technologies. The car’s mechanical build is not too dissimilar to the Le Mans 499P, which won the famous 24-hour endurance race back in June. Like the 499P racer, the F80 is powered by a 1,200hp, 3.0 litre twin-turbocharged V6 (codenamed F163CF), sharing its base architecture with the 296’s but adopting the Le Mans Hypercar’s crankcase, layout, timing chains, oil pump recovery circuit, bearings and even the direct injectors and their pumps.
The F80 supercar also has hybrid elements taken from Formula 1, such as the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit - Heat), which is a heat energy recovery system coaxially arranged with the turbocharger that converts heat energy from the exhaust gas into electrical energy. This helps to minimise turbo lag, powering the turbochargers at low revs using electricity.
Other changes found in the F80 include finer knock control, dynamic torque calibration for each gear (a Ferrari first), revised cam profiles, polished intake (which have also been shortened) and exhaust runners, redesigned titanium conrods, diamond-like carbon (DLC) coated piston pins and a redline that has been raised some 500 rpm to 9,000 rpm.
With all its horse power promoting features, the F80 can gallop from zero to 100 km/h in an astonishing 2.15 seconds and from zero to 200 km/h in 5.75 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of 350 km/h. The car features three powertrain modes – Hybrid, Performance, and Qualify – that shift the emphasis from efficiency to pure hot-lap speed, just like the Ferrari 296 and SF90.
The F80 has a strongly futuristic visual impact with unmistakeable references to aerospace. The architecture is defined by a dihedral cross section with its two bottom corners firmly planted on the wheels. From the side view, the rear section has a sculpted flow that emphasises the muscularity of the entire rear wing.
Now that you’ve been bamboozled by the technical details, here comes the final drop of the hammer – the price. The F80 goes for a cool US$4 million, and one can only imagine what the price would be in car-limiting Singapore. Sadly, even if you really, really want the race inspired juggernaut, and have the cash, only Ferrari’s top-tier clients have been offered the F80. What’s even more impressive is that all 799 have already been sold! Time will tell if the F80 ends up in the pantheon of Ferrari greats, but its introduction into the iconic brand is nothing short of amazing.
Ferrari marketing chief, Enrico Galliera believes that a programme like Universo Ferrari in Bangkok enables fans to fully immerse themselves in the history of the brand, from its beginnings as a racing organisation to its development into a luxury automobile manufacturer. In addition to strengthening ties between Ferrari enthusiasts, the event attempted to recreate the Ferrari experience for those who are unable to go to the company's home in Maranello, Italy.
It's also important to point out that all cars, even the ones that were on display in Bangkok, and at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, are not owned by the company, but actually loaned from private Ferrari owners. It’s easy to see that Ferrari equals passion among its patrons.
After exhibitions in Korea, Australia, and Italy, Thailand seemed a logical candidate for the next event. According to Galliera, "Thailand is a central hub for inviting clients from neighbouring countries and boasts many passionate collectors."
Overall, Bangkok’s Universo Ferrari offered a rare opportunity to experience the essence of the prancing horse brand, while celebrating the company’s passion, performance and craftsmanship. Whether you are a lifelong aficionado or a first-time admirer, the exhibition was an unmissable journey into the world of Ferrari.
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