Ferrari F40 is a mid-engine supercar built from 1987 to 1992, with the LM and GTE race car versions continuing production until 1994 and 1996 respectively.
As the successor to the 288 GTO (also engineered by Materazzi), it was designed to celebrate Ferrari's 40th anniversary and was the last Ferrari automobile personally approved by Enzo Ferrari. A total of 1,315 cars were manufactured with 213 units destined for the United States.
With it's top speed of 201 mph the F40 was the fastest car of the 80s and first car to breech to 200 mph barrier. Due to it's Carbon Fibre Body and lack of equipment, many people regard it to be the Greatest Supercar of all time including all three Top Gear presenters.
Appearances[]
- In The Most Outrageous Jeremy Clarkson Film In The World... Ever!, Jeremy tests the F40 against the Jaguar XJ220. Despite criticising the lack of equipment he praises the F40 for it's razor sharp handling, turbo boost, speed and excitement, stating to be the best ever supercar. However it loses to an F1 car.
- In Clarkson's Car Years, "The Rise...and fall....of the Supercar" Jeremy deduces the F40 to be the greatest ever supercar due to it's ground breaking speed and phenomenal drive.
- In Clarkson's Top 100 Cars, Jeremy ranks the F40 as 11th greatest car ever made only missing out on the Top 10 due to it's lack of equipment.
- In Series 5, Episode 2, Jeremy once again drives the F40 and explains that due to it's lightness, simplicity and excitement why it's so much better than every modern supercar that's been built since.
- In Top Gear: Apocalypse, James uses an F40 for his last ever drive. Despite criticising the lack of equipment and slow speed difficult use, he praises the car for it's savage speed, gun shot handling and sheer excitement, right up until the point where it eventually runs out of fuel.
- In Series 16, Episode 6, Richard explains at the Top Gear Test Track why the F40 and the 959 are the greatest ever supercars. He praises the F40 for it's lightness, speed, agility and braking ultimately preferring it to the 959. However when The Stig tries to take it for a lap, it ultimately breaks down.
- In Series 29, Episode 2, Harris champions the F40 as the best 200mph pioneer against Flintoff in a Jaguar XJ220 and McGuinness in a Lamborghini Diablo. In a simple rolling race the F40 manages to beat the more powerful XJ220.