Ferrari Car Evolution: from 458 Italia to LaFerrari

If like me you’ve never heard of the Ferrari Prototype MP09 and Ferrari Prototype MP10, then you’ll learn something here, like I did on seeing these cars alongside the Ferrari 458 Italia and Ferrari LaFerrari at Salon Privé London 2024. More Salon Privé London goodness here.

In the video (above), taken at Salon Privé London 2024, there was a four car display. The purpose of this four car collection/ display was to show us the evolution of the Ferrari LaFerrari from the Ferrari 458 Italia. Yes you read that right, the Ferrari LaFerrari evolved over time from the Ferrari 458 Italia.

In the pictures below you can see the evolution from the outside and the journey Ferrari took from Ferrari 458 Italia to La Ferrari.

The car profiles

Ferrari 458 Italia

The 458 Italia was the last of the naturally aspirated V8 engine Ferraris and is one of the final cars to be designed in conjunction with Pininfarina.

Its lightweight aluminium chassis coupled with the naturally aspirated V8 engine (producing 570bhp) and the all new DCT gearbox provided an exceptional level of performance, allowing a 0-62 time of 3.4 seconds and near seamless gear shifts, making the Ferrari 458 Italia one of the most sought-after cars in the Ferrari world.

This car was supplied new by Carrs Ferrari in 2013 and became the inspiration for the collection you see on display, as other 458 Italias became test mules for the LaFerrari development, helping to refine the Hybrid V12 you see in the LaFerrari (MP09).

.

Ferrari Prototype MP09

This LaFerrari prototype is based on the 458 Italia which houses the engine and hybrid unit for the LaFerrari. It is the first introduction of a hybrid unit for a road-going Ferrari. The chassis was the last variant of the 458 Italia aluminium chassis before the prototypes moved onto the Carbon Fibre tub (MP10).

The MPO9 is not homologated for use on the road or the track and is limited to 30km/h. This is due to the prototype suspension not being fit for road use. The brake system is the first to introduce the KERS system, which harnesses lost energy under braking to charge the hybrid battery. This car is also the first time ESP was integrated within the LaFerrari prototypes.

This prototype was supplied by Carrs Ferrari in Exeter, Devon in December 2016 to a long-standing valued client along with MP10, showing the lineage from the 458 Italia through to the LaFerrari.

.

Ferrari Prototype MP10

This LaFerrari prototype was the first carbon fibre tub prototype and saw the introduction of panels designed for the finished car, LaFerrari. Notable design cues are the clam shell doors, engine compartment, wing mirrors and fixed seating position.

This prototype continued to develop the engine and the KERS system along with the suspension carried over from MPO9.

The MP10 is not homologated for use on the road or the track and is limited to 30km/h.

This prototype was supplied by Carrs Ferrari in Exeter, Devon in December 2016 to a long-standing valued client along with MP09, showing the lineage from the 458 Italia through to the LaFerrari.

.

Ferrari LaFerrari

The LaFerrari is Ferrari’s first ever production car to be equipped with the F1-derived hybrid solution – the HY-KERS system, which combines an electric motor producing 161bhp with the most powerful incarnation yet of Ferrari’s classic V12, with 789bhp at 9000 rpm.

The chassis is a carbon fibre monocoque with a mid-mounted V12 and is part of a Ferrari limited series of which 499 have ever been produced and only the select top clientele have been lucky enough to receive an invitation to purchase one. This car was one of two LaFerraris supplied to clients by Carrs Ferrari of Exeter back in 2014 and has been cared for by their service department ever since.

The LaFerrari is one of the five top Ferrari supercars alongside the 288 GTO, F40, F50 and the Enzo. With a top speed of 217mph and a 0-60 of 2.9 seconds, it is regarded as one of the greatest Ferraris ever produced.

So what do you think?

I hope you enjoyed the video and article, and do remember to follow us on our social media, we are on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, and YouTube, as we run competitions regularly to offer you, our readers and social media followers the chance to go to these events by winning complimentary tickets. You can enter the competition to be in with a chance of winning tickets for the London Concours event below.