Automobile manufacturer positioning as seen from portfolio

There are various types of automobile manufacturers depending on their background and management theory. Based on this, it can be said that a unique model lineup will be formed.
Broadly speaking, there are three types. These include popular car manufacturers, sports car manufacturers, and marketing manufacturers.
Popular car manufacturers are companies that make everything from compact cars to full-size cars, such as Ford, Volkswagen, and Toyota. Ford was founded by Henry Ford, who created the mass production system for automobiles, and Volkswagen was born under the name "The People's Car" as a national policy. Although Toyota is a private company, it probably has the same mindset as Volkswagen.

When it comes to sports car manufacturers, Ferrari, Porsche, and Aston Martin, all of which are featured here, immediately come to mind. Every company starts by building racing cars that can win races. Marketing manufacturers include Rolls-Royce and Cadillac. The company continues to manufacture cars focused on specific markets.

Now let's focus on Ferrari.

As many of you probably know, Ferrari was originally a racing constructor. This is a team that signs a contract with a manufacturer, turns the given vehicle into a racing car, and participates in races. Initially, founder Enzo Ferrari competed with a team called ``Scuderia Ferrari'' as a racing constructor handling Alfa Romeo racing cars. Because he was himself a racing driver signed to Alfa Romeo. Did you know that before the war, Alfa Romeo was a manufacturer of high-performance luxury sports cars that competed in races? It was the dream of many car enthusiasts.

After that, Scuderia Ferrari, which parted ways with Alfa Romeo, began building racing cars with its own hands, and the history of today's Ferrari begins. The year was 1947. They collected racing funds by injecting the know-how they had cultivated through racing into production cars and selling them. In short, we are a manufacturer whose first priority is to compete in races and win. Of course, the formula is that if you win the race, the production car will sell.

Ferrari takes on the challenge of overwhelming the world.
Plug-in hybrid limited model car

In this context, I would like to introduce Ferrari's new car SF9 XX Stradale, which was unveiled for the first time in Japan on September 20th. This is an ultra-premium model, limited to 90 units worldwide. A special feeling that you can feel even when you look at it. When I saw the actual car, it gave off an incredible aura of brilliance.

Let's start with the name. The base is SF2019 released in 90. This was a commemorative model for the aforementioned 90th anniversary of Scuderia Ferrari. As of 2019, it was the 72nd anniversary of Ferrari's founding, but 90 years have passed since then as a racing constructor. Therefore, we have combined the best technology of limited edition models, which are said to be special versions of public road models such as the 812 Competizione, with the technical characteristics of the XX program. The XX program was developed to enable highly specialized customer drivers to drive at their limits on circuits, and models such as the FXX, 599XX, and FXX-K have been released so far. This is a circuit-only model that cannot be driven on public roads. In other words, it was born as a specification that can be driven on public roads even though it is an XX program.

It's a bit of a confusing story, but unless you know about Ferrari's achievements every year, it's difficult to understand. Since they proceed with things based on their own theories, they are truly self-centered types.

As for the specs, the engine is a 4-liter V8 twin-turbo, and it is a plug-in hybrid that is combined with a motor. It is equipped with a lithium-ion battery and three motors. Ferrari is now in the era of plug-in hybrids. If you don't understand that, please update. According to the catalog, it can run EV for 3km.

Maximum output is 1030cv. "CV" is a unit of power unique to Ferrari, but you can roughly just think of it as 1030 horsepower. The unit is one order of magnitude different from everyone's favorite car, including mine. The top speed reaches 320km/h.

Since it has such outrageous specs, it is unlikely that you will see it after its release, but Ferrari occasionally sends these special models into the world. Due to the background I mentioned at the beginning, this is what happens naturally. That's probably what makes Ferrari fans and car enthusiasts so happy. The more I learn about this brand, the more I get excited, and they surprise me every time.

Text by Tatsuya Kushima

Tatsuya Kushima

Motor journalist and columnist. Currently, he is the media site editor-in-chief and media business producer for the surfing magazine "NALU." She has previously served as editor-in-chief of many men's magazines, golf magazines, car magazines, airline in-flight magazines, etc. In addition to media activities, he is a member of the Japan Car of the Year selection committee, a member of the Japan Cigar Association, a Japan Boat of the Year selection committee, and the creative director of men's golf wear ``The Duke's Golf.''