The Ferrari SF90 Stradale is a suitable benchmark for a world-class supercar. As the first-ever Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) from the celebrated Italian automaker, the SF90 encapsulates the most advanced technologies derived from the marque’s rich racing history.
Enter Rimac. As demonstrated in this head-to-head matchup between two supercars, the new all-electric Rimac Nevera not only made the Ferrari a spot in its rear-view mirror, but also set a world-record quarter-mile time for production cars.
A Closer Look at the Rimac Nevera
Rimac is the most significant car company that you may never have heard of. Based in Croatia, the company was founded in 2009 by Mate Rimac, who got started by single-handedly converting his E30 BMW to electric power.
The Nevera (which roughly translates to ‘unbelievable’) boasts a litany of impressive stats. With its four electric motors, the car generates 1,914 hp and 2,360 Nm of torque which is delivered via all-wheel-drive. Tipping the scales at 4,300 lbs, it features a structural carbon fiber body supporting a massive 120 kWh battery pack. The car’s claimed 0-60 mph time is an incredible 1.9 seconds.
Rimac Nevera versus Ferrari SF90 Drag Race
To put things in perspective, let’s take a quick look at the Ferrari’s specs. With a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, the SF90 generates a whopping 769 hp, which is combined with an additional 217 hp from a trio of electric motors. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. This combination is good for a 2.5 second 0-60 mph time, making it the fastest Ferrari currently available.
The first race of the day starts out with Mat Watson in the SF90 and Mate Rimac himself in the Nevera. From the start, the Rimac pulls away while Watson looks on incredulously.
After a second attempt with the same result, Watson was able to cheerfully accept the outcome. “It’s never been so much fun getting so badly beaten,” he said.
Next Watson takes a turn in the Nevera, setting a quarter-mile time of 8.6 seconds according to the car's trip computer, an unofficial world-record for production vehicles.
In summary, the Rimac tops the SF90 in all but one objective category: cost. With a $2 million price tag, the Nevera is nearly four times more expensive than its worthy competitor from Maranello.
Source: YouTube