When Ferrari unveiled the F40 in 1987 to mark its 40th anniversary, it set a new benchmark for supercars. Fast, unforgiving, and stripped down to the essentials, it was the epitome of Ferrari’s pure performance ethos. Eight years later, Ferrari followed up with the F50, a car that brought the technology and craftsmanship of Formula 1 to the road.
Where the F40 was a raw beast, the F50 was more polished. These two cars have become icons, each with their own place in Ferrari’s history. But which one is truly the better Ferrari?
The F40
The F40 was a revolutionary departure from the Ferrari tradition, with its primary goal to push the boundaries of speed and driving experience. Designed by the legendary Pininfarina and approved by none other than Enzo Ferrari himself before his death in 1988, the F40 was built to celebrate Ferrari’s 40 years of existence.
Ferrari’s decision to focus entirely on performance meant that the F40 was ruthlessly stripped down. There were no power windows, no air conditioning, no sound insulation, just the essentials to get the car to the track and beyond.
Even the interior was minimalist, with a simple dashboard and manual crank windows. The car was all about the driving experience.
Under the hood, the F40 is powered by a 2.9L twin-turbo V8 engine that pushes out a respectable 478 horsepower. Combined with its lightweight construction, it weighs in at just 1,100 kg, making it a true featherweight in the supercar world and the twin-turbocharged engine delivers its power in a sudden, ferocious burst.
Turbo lag is noticeable, but once that surge hits, it pushes you back into the seat and propels the car from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds. Top speed? A blistering 201 mph (323 km/h). Still impressive, even by today’s standards.
But the real thrill of the F40 comes in the way it drives. It’s pure, raw, and relentless. The lack of power steering means the driver feels every inch of the road, while the absence of electronic assists demands a level of skill and precision that today’s supercars simply don’t require.
You have to wrestle with the car, muscling it into corners and holding on as the turbo power surges. There’s nothing subtle about the F40, it’s a car that demands your full attention at all times, which is exactly why so many car (and racing) purists adore it. Lewis Hamilton as verbally expressed his love for the F40, even mentioning how he would love to design an F44 now that he has joined the Scuderia Ferrari Formula 1 team, and will continue to be an ambassador post career.
The F50
The F50 was Ferrari’s next leap, but it couldn’t be more different from the F40. While the F40 was a no-frills, all-out performance machine, the F50 aimed to bring Formula 1 technology to the road, much similar to the record breaking McLaren F1, offering both cutting-edge performance and an improved driving experience.
Ferrari wanted a car that blended the rawness of motorsport with the sophistication of a road car.
Released in 1995, the F50 used a 4.7L naturally aspirated V12 engine, which was derived directly from Ferrari’s F1 engine. With 513 horsepower on tap and a top speed of 202 mph (305 km/h), it surpassed the F40 in sheer numbers, but it was the driving experience that set it apart.
The F50’s V12 engine provided a smooth, linear power delivery, which contrasted with the F40’s turbocharged punch. The F50 was more forgiving, less aggressive in its delivery, and offered an experience that was more approachable, even if it still demanded respect from the driver.
One of the F50’s standout features was its carbon fiber monocoque chassis. This lightweight construction helped keep the weight down to 1,230 kg, but it also contributed to the car’s improved handling and rigidity.
Unlike the F40’s more spartan approach, the F50 introduced some creature comforts, including a more refined interior and better ride quality, while still maintaining an unrelenting focus on performance.
With a six-speed manual transmission and the active suspension system, the F50 offered a more composed, controlled ride, yet it still retained that raw, Ferrari edge that made it so thrilling to drive.
Driving Dynamics, Comparing the two
The F40 and F50 are both incredibly fast, but the way they deliver their performance couldn’t be more different.
Driving the F40 is an event. You feel everything from the road, the engine, the turbo lag. It’s a raw experience, and a noisy one. There’s no question it’s more demanding, but it’s also one of the most rewarding cars to drive if you’re up for the challenge. There’s a unique connection between driver and machine in the F40 that you don’t get in many cars. You can feel the car’s every movement, and you’re completely in control. It’s an exhilarating, albeit sometimes punishing, experience.
In comparison, the F50 is smoother and more refined. The F50 offers a more controlled ride, and it’s easier to manage, even at its limits. The V12 engine provides a more sophisticated power delivery, and the car’s suspension system allows for better stability, making it more comfortable on the road.
But while the F50 is faster and easier to handle, it’s not as raw or exciting as the F40. It’s more refined, and some would argue that this takes away from the thrill of driving it.
The F40 had rustic, sharper lines whilst the F50 had curved features, a nod to modernisation.
The F40 holds an important place in Ferrari history, not only because it was the last car approved by Enzo Ferrari before his passing but also because it represented the pinnacle of performance for its time. There were only 1,311 units made, and it’s often regarded as one of the most important Ferraris ever produced.
It is the poster car for anyone who loves pure, unfiltered performance, and its price reflects its status as a modern-day classic. Not the most expensive cars in the world, however at auction, F40s can go for around $1.5 million to $2 million depending on their condition and provenance.
The F50, while equally rare, is even more exclusive with just 349 units produced. Its Formula 1 roots give it a unique place in Ferrari’s history, and its combination of F1-inspired technology with road-car usability makes it an extremely desirable model. Its current value sits in the $3 million range, and it’s considered one of Ferrari’s more underrated classics, overshadowed by the F40 during its production run, but slowly gaining more recognition as collectors realise its true worth.
Which One Wins?
The obvious answer to the question of which is better, will most likely disapoint you. It comes down to personal preference.
If you want a car that represents Ferrari’s philosophy of no-compromise performance, the F40 is the obvious choice. It’s raw, unrefined, and a throwback to a time when supercars were all about driving purity. But if you prefer a more sophisticated driving experience, with cutting-edge technology and a smoother ride, the F50 is the car for you.
If you want an honest, and subjective opinion though, then it’s hard to go past the F40. It’s a driver’s car, and there’s something special about having such a close connection and feeling to the motor vehicle you’re driving.
The F40 also came out of nowhere, it was a car the world hadn’t seen and therefore fell in love with. However when the F50 rolled around, it was supposedly a new and improved F40. Enthusiasts (and ourselves) tend to lean towards the zero to one car, rather than the future variations.
