Can someone please explain to me how the LaFerrari (unveiled today in Geneva) weighs in at 2800lbs while for the past 2 years Porsche has been busting their *sses trying to shave weight from the 918 and it's still 3750lbs?

Both have similar MSRP's (implying the Ferrari is not loaded with hyper-precious materials), total hp ratings (the Ferrari's is actually higher), and are hybrids.

4WD on the 918 accounts for some of the weight, call it 100lbs, but what about the other ~900lbs?!?

 

I know 918 uses actual battery packs to store energy. Does LF use battery packs as well? If so, one of major places for weight increase is at the front-end of 918 with electric motors (and other hardwares to make it work).

Also, the 2800 curb weight isn't confirmed yet. Just a speculation.

 

Ferrari has been known to release weight numbers that are not factual. I believe this happen when the enzo was weighed in an independent test. Id wait for one of those.

 

the 918 is a plugin hybrid. like a tesla w/ a petrol motor. the ferrari is KERS. i'm guessing that's where the weight comes from. KERS is interesting but w/ the 918 you can cruise in electric only mode to the grocery store at 100 miles per galloon.

 

But you can only go about a dozen miles (I forgot the actual number). Besides, who's going to the grocery store with a 918?

 

The Europeans typically quote dry weight while we quote curb weight which includes all fluids including a full tank of gas. The Italians are prone to exaggeration.

 

Quote : Porsche has been busting their *sses trying to shave weight from the 918 and it's still 3750lbs?

Porsche data shows the 918 weight as 3285 lbs and it has two electric motors on the front axle. 485 lbs is a lot but the info seems incorrect. Most 4wd systems add +175 lbs. (Porsche).

 

http://press.porsche.com/vehicles/20...nformation.pdf

Not sure what Porsche data you are referencing. The one from March 2012 says "less than 1700kg (3,740lbs)." If they suddenly shaved 455lbs from the car this late in the design stage that would be surprising but I hope you're right!

Re the comments about Italian exaggeration and dry weights, I think that's all correct but still doesn't account for the delta from the McLaren and F-car. Seems like the philosophy behind their respective electric systems