introduction

I love technology and innovation in automobiles, and the LaFerrari does not disappoint in either respect. Also known as the F70 (cool) and the F150 (not cool, pick-up truck anyone?), the LaFerrari has a V12 naturally aspirated engine along with an electric motor which uses a refined KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) to recharge the batteries. The KERS has been in use by F1 using brake energy to recharge, now Ferrari has developed the HY-KERS which makes use of extra torque from the engine, such as in cornering, as well as braking to charge the batteries. Combined, these power plants produce 963 horsepower with more than 660 ft-lbs of torque. Redline is at 9250 rpm. This 2013 release from Ferrari slashes more than 5 seconds off the Enzo’s Fiorano test track record. Impressive.

Other high tech goodies are continuously variable-length intakes, active aerodynamics, traction and damping controls, developments in brakes and electronic differential. 265/30 – 19 front and 345/30 – 20 rear Pirelli P-Zero tires aid in keeping the shiny side up. With a top speed of over 217 mph, 0-62 in less than 3 seconds, 0-124 <7 sec and 0-186 in 15 seconds, those Pirelli’s are put to the test for sure.

Limited to a production run of 499, with an approximate sticker price of 1.5 million, the LaFerrari sold out very quickly. Body color choices were red (of course), black and yellow.

This new kit from Tamiya lets us model the LaFerrari in 1:24 scale, and looks to be a real beauty of a kit. Let’s have a peek inside and get this quick review finished so I can get this kit on the bench and start building!

contents

Packed in an attractive slip top box are the following:

• 1 sprue molded in red, with the nose separate
• 2 sprues molded in black
• 1 sprue molded in silver/grey
• Wheels molded in metallic silver
• 1 sprue each in clear and translucent red
• 4 Tires
• Decal sheet
• Metal transfer sheet
• Window masks
• 2 Squares of nylon mesh
• Poly caps
• Instruction booklet
• Background information sheet

the kit

All the parts are individually packaged in poly bags and arrived in perfect condition. Mold quality is crisp and clean, and I could not find any seam lines, nor any other imperfections, on the red body parts. Seam lines and pin marks are kept to a bare minimum throughout, so clean up and prep should be an easy task. The box top states 169 parts and since I’m not going to count them I’ll take Tamiya’s word on that.

Even with a fairly high part count, the engineering of the kit is what is to be expected from Tamiya, meaning there are not an excess of small parts to add. As an example, a total of 27 parts make up the engine/transaxle assembly which includes the exhaust, drive shafts and intake. Considering the complexity of this area, especially with the KERS system, that is pretty amazing.

The front wheels are positional, and with the use of poly caps all four wheels will be able to rotate. I cannot tell if the real brake discs are dimpled or drilled, the kit ones are dimpled with no detail on the inner surface. Drilled or dimpled, these should look good at this scale with what little will actually be seen.

The HY-KERS batteries reside under the seats and are well detailed, a clear undercarriage plate is included if you wish these to be viewed from underneath the car, or just paint it black as the instructions indicate. Nylon mesh needs to be cut out into eleven pieces and a 1:1 template is included in the instructions…just don’t cut out the template before checking out step 14! These will be used for the various screens around the car. Tamiya has a separate PE detail set that eliminates the need for the mesh if one wishes to purchase that upgrade.

One of the nicer additions in many Tamiya kits is the metal transfers. In the LaFerrari kit these are used on the airbox, front hood, rear lights & logo, as well as rear and side view mirrors…should look very sharp and much better than plain old decals or trying to fasten PE parts on your flawless paint job. Window masks are also included to help achieve that black border around the windshield, rear and engine compartment glass.

The cockpit looks well-appointed with one piece seats and decals for the gauges, still lots of fine painting to be done in here. The inner door panels come as a separate piece which makes life much easier. The gull wing doors are operable…how well this will work (and fit) will be determined in the build.

The rear spoiler can be positioned in either the retracted or deployed position, although with the speedo reading 0 kph retracted would be the most realistic. Taillights are molded in translucent red with metal transfers used in front and behind which should look very good. Installing the glass parts can sometimes be a hassle. Tamiya has helped out in this respect with a press-in windshield and engine compartment glass. Side windows have tabs which can be adhered out of sight. The engine compartment lid is hinged to further show off that beautiful power plant and radiators.

Wheels are molded in a semi-realistic metallic finish, which actually looks pretty good. The choice is yours if you wish to strip it off and repaint. Tires look good with one flaw…wrong brand. Sidewall markings are for Bridgestone Potenza, not the Pirelli’s and the tread appears to be the Potenza pattern. Hey, what can I say, I burned the original tires off my LaFerrari and replaced them with the Bridgestone’s!

The instructions are contained in a 20 page stapled booklet. Construction spans 40 individual steps, which are very clear in the typical Tamiya style. Paint call-outs run throughout indicating which Tamiya paints to use, and look to be accurate. The TS-86 (red lacquer) for the body color looks to be in short supply, so you may need to find a substitute. As always, have a good look through the entire instructions before beginning.

conclusion

Tamiya has done it again. This kit looks absolutely beautiful in the box and should be a real treat to build. Part molding is top notch, instructions are super clear, metal transfers add that little extra punch. The included mesh for the screens I’m not a fan of, although there is a separate detail set to cover that area at an added expense. The wrong tires I can forgive as they will be very difficult to spot, it’s not like they have raised white lettering or a high profile sidewall.

As stated above, a separate PE upgrade set is available from Tamiya. Also offered is a Carbon Fiber decal sheet that covers many of the CF areas on the LaFerrari. Both will be reviewed separately.


References:
The video with Fernando Alonso driving is excellent:
LaFerrari Gallery

And the LaFerrari website:
LaFerrari Website

Related Items:
Photo-etch Upgrade Set

Carbon Fiber Pattern Decals

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