F40 or F50...Which are you taking?

While we aren’t sure if there is an official debate over which car you would take...the F40 or the F50, we are sure that we have an opinion.  Now if you ask most people which is the most famous and arguably most sought-after Ferrari, a few different models would probably come to mind.  The 250 GTO, 288 GTO, Enzo, LaFerrari, and yes...the F40 and F50.  One’s opinion may simply come down to which poster they had in their car as a child, however for Ferrari enthusiasts there is always room for debate.  In this case, the debate being if you had the keys to the F40 and F50 in your hands (wouldn’t that be nice), which are you choosing?

Here we break down some of the differences between the two cars across a variety of attributes, ranging from Design to Market and Legacy. Here we go...

Ferrari F40 (1987-1992): The F40 was built to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary and was the last car personally approved by Enzo Ferrari before his death. It was designed with a focus on pure performance, stripped of any unnecessary luxuries to save weight. The car was a continuation of Ferrari's tradition of building no-nonsense, track-oriented road cars, with aggressive styling and a focus on aerodynamics.

Ferrari F50 (1995-1997): The F50, on the other hand, was designed to celebrate Ferrari’s 50th anniversary. It was conceived as a Formula 1 car for the road, featuring more advanced technology and a closer connection to Ferrari’s F1 efforts. The F50 was built with the intention of providing a more visceral, open-air driving experience, with its removable hardtop and carbon-fiber construction.

F40: The F40 is powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing 478 horsepower. This engine made the F40 one of the fastest cars of its time, with a top speed of 201 mph and a 0-60 mph time of around 4 seconds. The turbocharged nature of the engine gives the F40 a raw and explosive power delivery, with a characteristically laggy but intense boost from the turbos.

F50: The F50 features a 4.7-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine derived directly from Ferrari's Formula 1 program. It produces 513 horsepower, with a top speed of 202 mph and a 0-60 mph time of around 3.8 seconds. The naturally aspirated V12 provides a smoother, more linear power delivery, with a high-revving nature that’s typical of Ferrari’s V12 engines.

F40: The F40’s chassis is made of a combination of Kevlar, carbon fiber, and aluminum, making it incredibly lightweight (around 2,425 pounds). The car’s design is minimalist, with no power steering, no ABS, and only basic interior amenities. This focus on weight reduction and simplicity contributes to the F40’s raw driving experience.

F50: The F50 takes things further with a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis, which was a first for Ferrari road cars. This technology, borrowed from Formula 1, gave the F50 superior rigidity and a more direct connection to the road. The car also featured advanced suspension and braking systems, making it more refined and manageable at high speeds compared to the F40.

F40: The F40 is known for its brutal and unforgiving driving experience, where the lack of driver aids and the turbocharged engine demand a high level of skill. It’s often praised for providing an undiluted connection between the driver and the machine.

F50: The F50, while still extremely performance-oriented, offers a more refined driving experience. The V12 engine’s sound and the open-top design provide a more sensory experience, while the advanced suspension makes it more predictable and easier to drive fast.

F40: With a production run of approximately 1,311 units, the F40 was initially seen as the ultimate Ferrari. Its value has continued to appreciate over the years, and it’s widely regarded as one of the greatest supercars ever made.

F50: Only 349 units of the F50 were produced, making it rarer than the F40. Initially, the F50 was not as universally adored as the F40, but over time, its appreciation has grown, especially among enthusiasts who value its direct connection to Ferrari's Formula 1 technology.

In summary, the F40 is celebrated for its raw, unfiltered performance and minimalism, while the F50 is appreciated for its advanced technology and closer ties to Ferrari’s Formula 1 heritage. Each car offers a different interpretation of Ferrari’s supercar philosophy, appealing to different types of driving enthusiasts.

Now you may be asking...what is our opinion?  Afterall, we did say we have one.  Easy choice...F50 all day.