Ferrari’s Technological Innovations Part 14: From Track to Road

A unique feature of Ferrari is its ability to draw advanced technical solutions from racing for its road cars. This trait is rarely seen when major manufacturers enter high-level competition, where a separate racing department often handles projects. At Maranello, however, the boundary is almost non-existent, with continuous exchanges, even in both directions.

Let’s take some examples from the 1980s. These were years when Formula 1 cars adopted lateral radiator placements for weight distribution and aerodynamic efficiency. In 1984, this layout was successfully applied to the new Testarossa, achieving aesthetic success perfectly aligned with the era’s hedonism under President Ronald Reagan.

The Ferrari Testarossa adopts laterally positioned radiators like those of Formula 1 cars.

Also, in the 1980s, Ferrari improved the braking capacity of its road cars by using aluminum. The historic collaboration with Brembo in Formula 1 showcased the advantages of lightweight and efficient aluminum brake calipers. This technology debuted with the 288 GTO and continued over time, benefiting from the material’s enhanced heat dissipation properties.

The Ferrari 288 GTO debuts aluminum brake calipers developed with Brembo to improve heat dissipation.

The most important and unexpected step was integrating a competition-grade engine into a luxury sedan. This was the adoption of the Ferrari V8 in the Lancia Thema. Called the 8:32 (eight cylinders, thirty-two valves), it faced a challenge: the 180-degree crankshaft V8 wouldn’t fit the Lancia’s engine bay. Ferrari modified it to a 90-degree configuration, making it narrower while maintaining similar performance. With the engine deliberately limited to 215 horsepower, the Lancia 8:32 remains a magnificent example of a sedan with racing-level performance.

The Lancia Thema 8:32 hides a Ferrari V8 under its hood. Family sedan looks, racing performance.

During the same period, Ferrari experimented with four-wheel drive in Formula 1. Although promising for track performance, the concept was soon banned by regulations. However, the technology was ingeniously applied to a V8 road model. Conceived by Technical Director Mauro Forghieri, the model (in fact, two versions with different chassis materials and technologies) incorporated all racing innovations: weight distribution with the engine shifted to the right to balance the driver’s weight, torque transmission to the front wheels using a hydraulic joint instead of a bulky third differential, and innovative features like a centrally mounted windshield wiper and compressed air-sealed door closures. The car, with Forghieri’s departure and Enzo Ferrari’s passing, was abandoned—a missed opportunity.

All this, and much more, explains why Ferrari cars, of all times, are special: racing truly serves to enhance excellence, and Ferrari excels at it.

The Ferrari 408 4RM with four-wheel drive, which unfortunately never entered production.