Thirty years is a very long time when it comes to automobiles, so much so that it’s difficult to compare the cars of 2025 to those of late 1996, when the first issue of FORZA was printed. So, rather than consider the fastest or best-handling Ferraris of that period, we decided to highlight those which had the most impact, both on the company’s lineup and to its customers. These, then, are the most important Ferraris of the last three decades, with one winner and one runner-up chosen from each branch of the company tree.
Supercar: F80
Ferrari’s supercars always push the limits of the company’s technological capabilities, and the 2026 F80 is by far the most advanced of them all. While its spec sheet certainly impresses—think 1,200 turbo-hybrid horsepower, carbon-fiber chassis, electric all-wheel drive, 0-62 mph in 2.2 seconds, 3D-printed suspension arms, active suspension, active aerodynamics, and more than 2,400 pounds of downforce at 155 mph—Ferrari’s focus centered as much on the driving experience as pure pace. As a result, the F80 represents the current state-of-the-art in making mind-bogglingly complex computerized cars fun to drive.
“With a single burst of acceleration, I answer my question about missing that classic, legendary, trademark V12—and the answer is, this turbocharged, electrically boosted 3-liter V6 lacks nothing. In short, while I had expected to be blown away, it was never to this extent! This Ferrari obliterates all benchmarks in terms of dynamic sensations. Never before has a car been so communicative, agile, transparent, or—especially—so generous in creating emotions behind the wheel. It’s no longer a question of technology or efficiency, but rather pure adrenaline. The F80 delivers the kind of experience that absolutely surpasses everything else.”
—“Quantum Leap,” FORZA #225
Runner-up: Ferrari called the groundbreaking 2019 SF90 its “range supercar,” and it redefined what a regular production model could be. It boasted 1,000 horsepower courtesy of its turbo-hybrid V8 (a first), electric all-wheel drive (another first), even a full-electric drive mode (yet another first). The SF90 also raised the bar for what Ferrari’s next “proper” supercar would have to deliver, so, in a way, we have it to thank for the F80.
V12 Sports Car: 599 GTB Fiorano
When introduced in 2006, the 599 GTB Fiorano rewrote Ferrari’s quintessential front-engine two-seat formula. From its normally aspirated 6-liter 620-hp V12 and all-aluminum construction to its innovative Formula 1-derived F1-Trac traction control and first use of magnetorheological shock absorbers, the 599 delivered a combination of sports car performance and Grand Touring comfort never seen before.
“This is no time for finesse; let’s set the manettino to Race and floor it! The big V12 flies free and slams me in the seat. What a slap in the face! What brutality! With the exception of the Enzo, the 599 was then the most powerful and capable Ferrari ever produced, and it wastes no time in revealing what its elegant lines mask to perfection. Rather than a GT, it’s a genuine supercar. Furthermore, Ferrari’s beast knows how to remain civilized; the suppleness of its suspension means I can tear down bumpy roads without a second thought for either my vertebrae or the integrity of the car’s trajectory after passing over bumps.”
—“Storm Warning,” FORZA #214
Runner-up: The 550 Maranello marked the return of Ferrari’s classic V12 two-seater, with its engine mounted up front after more than two decades of the mid-engine Berlinetta Boxer and Testarossa. More important, the 550 gripped more, handled better, and was faster in every situation than its more exotic-looking predecessors. And if its Pininfarina-penned lines seemed a bit too understated in period, their full beauty has since emerged.
V12 GT: Purosangue
It’s hard to overstate just how radical the 2023 Purosangue was. Ferrari’s decision to build a four-door “utility vehicle”—don’t call it an SUV!—was shocking to many, despite the company’s long legacy of 2+2 “family cars.” From its normally aspirated 715-hp 6.5-liter V12 and rear-wheel steering to its active suspension and 7.3-inch ground clearance, the Purosangue (Italian for “thoroughbred”) was unlike anything else that had emerged from the factory gates. Even its aerodynamics were extreme; Ferrari spent twice as long honing the airflow around the Purosangue as it did on the 488 GTB.
“The Purosangue can slide into oversteer long before the front wheels touch the apex; it’s as though the car wants the driver to drift through the whole length of the corner. In proper hands, this is one crazily engaging and entertaining machine, offering a level of thrills I’d usually associate with Ferrari’s recent two-seaters. It’s not as sharp as an 812 Superfast, but it shows off much more racing DNA than, say, a Roma or Portofino M. Compared to the GTC4Lusso, the Purosangue is simply far more advanced; it’s the realization of the FF/GTC4Lusso ideal. The crossover format may have been dictated by market trends, but the Purosangue delivers concrete progress on virtually every GT front.”
—“75 Years in the Making,” FORZA #206
Runner-up: The 2011 FF wowed onlookers with its shooting-brake silhouette, but the big news was under its hood. There, bolted to the front of its normally aspirated 660-hp 6.5-liter V12, sat the tiny 4RM transmission that sent power to the front wheels on demand. In addition to being Ferrari’s first all-wheel drive model, the FF was simply a joy to drive: fast, composed, comfortable, usable, and capable in every situation.
V6/V8 Sports Car: 458 Italia
Beyond its stunning looks, normally aspirated 570-hp 4.5-liter V8 that revved to 9,000 rpm, and everything else (e.g., button-laden steering wheel, super-fast steering, standard magnetorheological shocks and carbon-ceramic brakes, and so much more), what made the 2009 458 Italia an easy pick was that it marked a sea change in Maranello’s use of integrated electronic systems to improve the driving experience. For the first time, the electronic differential and F1-Trac traction control were controlled by a single ECU, which in turn was linked to the ABS system, all of which added up to a car that was much faster than its predecessor, as well as much easier to drive fast.
“Somewhere along this stretch of winding road, I bond with the Italia like few cars before. This comes as a surprise, since I’ve always preferred cars that are a bit raw, a bit demanding, and that’s not the case here. Instead, the 458 thrills by being so astonishingly fast yet so easy to drive. While the Italia shares the basic construction, layout, and all-around mission of the F430, it simply blows its predecessor into the weeds with a stunning combination of outright speed, fantastic handling, and untouchable composure, with no corresponding loss of real-world usability. Actually, thanks to its impressive ride comfort, it’s more usable. There’s no other way to say it: The 458 Italia is the best Ferrari I’ve driven.”
—“Fast Forward,” FORZA #107
Runner-up: It was tempting to pick the 2021 296 GTB, which debuted the turbo-hybrid V6, but we think the 360 Modena is more important in the grand scheme of things. In addition to introducing all-aluminum construction and massive amounts of wind-tunnel development to the company’s road-car lineup, the 360 was also the first model developed under company CEO Luca di Montezemolo’s mandate to improve occupant comfort, something we’ve all been enjoying ever since.
V8 GT: California T
The 2008 California invented this category, but we think the 2014 California T is the car that brought everything together. The secret is in the name—the T stood for Ferrari’s first turbocharged road-car engine since the F40 (aside from a few 2-liter Italian market models)—and while there was nothing wrong with the earlier versions, the T finally made the California properly, effortlessly fast. Compared to the normally aspirated 4.3-liter V8 used in the California 30, the T’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo V8 boasted an additional 70 hp and, more significant, 184 lb-ft of torque. And Ferrari didn’t stop there.
“The newest California benefits from the latest advances in Ferrari’s carbon-ceramic brake, magnetorheological damper, and stability control technologies, as well as a 53-percent rearward weight bias, the faster steering of the earlier California’s optional Handling Speciale package, and 12-percent stiffer springs. The result? The car offers absolutely beautiful balance through the curves. For a 3,814-pound car, this agility is deeply impressive. The best news, however, is that the T’s newfound athleticism doesn’t come at the expense of ride comfort, even with the simple, three-position manettino set to Sport mode. This is an astonishingly comfortable car, with impressive low wind and tire noise levels and so much more refinement than the Maserati Ghibli I drove on these exact same roads.”
—“Fits to a T,” FORZA #136
Runner-up: The California was divisive, both for its appearance and its less-sporting mission, but it set the stage for a whole new family of front-engine “2+” models. Just as significant, the model brought in a whole new group of customers; Ferrari built 10,000 Californias and California 30s, 70 percent of which went to buyers new to the marque.
