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The Ferrari F40 is a mid-engine supercar produced from 1987 to 1992. It was created to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary and is widely known as the last car personally approved by Enzo Ferrari.
Designed as a race car for the road, the F40 is defined by its raw driving experience, lightweight construction, and twin-turbocharged V8 engine. It was also the first production car to officially exceed 200 mph, solidifying its place as one of the most iconic Ferraris ever built.
| Category | Specification |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.9L twin-turbocharged V8 |
| Horsepower | 478 hp |
| Torque | 426 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual |
| 0–60 mph | ~4.1 seconds |
| Top Speed | 201 mph |
| Chassis | Carbon fiber, Kevlar, composite materials |
| Layout | Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive |
Ferrari produced approximately 1,311 to 1,315 F40 units, consisting primarily of road cars alongside a small number of rare racing variants. Most examples were standard production models, with limited LM, GT, GTE, and Competizione versions adding to the total.
| Variant | Estimated Production |
|---|---|
| Standard F40 (Road) | ~1,280–1,286 |
| US-Spec F40 | 213 |
| F40 LM (Le Mans) | 19 |
| F40 GT | 7 |
| F40 GTE | 7 |
| F40 Competizione | 10 |
The Ferrari F40 and Ferrari F50 represent two very different eras of Ferrari performance. The F40 is remembered for its raw twin-turbocharged V8 character, while the F50 brought naturally aspirated V12 power and Formula 1-inspired engineering to the road.
| Category | Ferrari F40 | Ferrari F50 |
|---|---|---|
| Production Years | 1987–1992 | 1995–1997 |
| Engine | Twin-turbocharged V8 | Naturally aspirated V12 |
| Horsepower | 471 hp | 513 hp |
| Top Speed | 201 mph | 202 mph |
| 0–60 mph | ~4.1 seconds | ~3.8 seconds |
| Production | 1,311 units | 349 units |
| Driving Character | Raw, turbocharged, analog | F1-inspired, V12-powered, visceral |
| Collector Appeal | Enzo Ferrari’s final approved supercar | Rarer and closely tied to Ferrari’s Formula 1 engineering |
The Ferrari F40 was created to celebrate Ferrari’s 40th anniversary, push performance beyond its rivals, and reflect Enzo Ferrari’s vision of a true driver-focused car.
The F40 was commissioned to mark 40 years since Ferrari’s first road car in 1947. Its name reflects this milestone—“F” for Ferrari and “40” for the anniversary.
During the 1980s, Ferrari faced growing supercar competition. The F40 reasserted Ferrari’s position and became the first production car to break 200 mph.
Enzo Ferrari wanted a car that returned to the brand’s raw roots. The F40 was built with no electronic aids and minimal comforts, focusing entirely on speed and driver engagement.
It would become the last Ferrari personally approved by Enzo Ferrari, giving it lasting historical significance.
The Ferrari F40 remains one of the most important supercars ever built because it represents a moment in time that cannot be recreated.
The F40 reflects the final era of Enzo Ferrari’s vision—focused, mechanical, and uncompromising.
With no electronic aids and a manual gearbox, the F40 delivers a fully analog driving experience that demands skill and precision.
Its low stance, large rear wing, and lightweight composite construction remain instantly recognizable.
Decades after launch, the F40 still attracts strong interest from collectors and enthusiasts.
The F40 still matters because it captures a pure connection between driver, machine, and road.
The Ferrari F40 is a mid-engine supercar produced from 1987 to 1992, known for its historical significance and connection to Enzo Ferrari.
The Ferrari F40 is powered by a 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine producing approximately 471 horsepower and 426 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, the engine helped make the F40 the first production Ferrari capable of exceeding 200 mph.
Yes. The Ferrari F40 uses a twin-turbocharged 2.9-liter V8 engine producing 471 horsepower.
The F40 is considered special for its raw driving experience, historical significance, and status as the last Ferrari approved by Enzo Ferrari.
Yes, the Ferrari F40 was the first street-legal production car to officially exceed 200 mph, reaching a top speed of 201 mph.
No. The Ferrari F40 is known for its raw driving experience and lacks modern systems like traction control and power steering.
The Ferrari F40 represents just one chapter in Ferrari’s history. From modern performance cars to limited-production icons, each model reflects a different part of the brand’s evolution.
Discover Ferrari’s complete halo-car lineage and flagship hypercar evolution.
Explore our full range of Ferrari models to see how design, performance, and innovation have developed across generations. For those interested in current availability, browse Ferraris for sale to explore select vehicles.
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