Ferrari's new supercar, the Paris Motor Show, and Tesla's Cybercab

Hello all and welcome back to another edition of the Automotive Roundup, brought to you by Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Apologies for the slight delay in this edition, it’s been a busy couple of weeks. 

Nevertheless, let's crack on. In the last 14 days, there’s been plenty of news from the industry, which has made this edition slightly harder. 

We’re going to discuss Ferrari's new $3.9 million supercar, the Paris Motor Show, and Tesla’s new Cybercab. 

Ferrari’s new $3.9 million supercar, the F80

Ferrari knows a thing or two about creating iconic cars, but we’ll have to wait and see whether their new F80 hybrid supercar will be in this category. I’d say yes, with it being the most powerful road-going Ferrari ever created. 

It returns a whopping 1,200hp, but it’s generated in a slightly different way than normal. The F80 combines a three-litre V6 engine with a hybrid system, but don’t worry, it still goes from 0-62mph in just 2.5 seconds! Wow. 

So, let's talk about the electric motor. It’s the first unit developed and manufactured by Ferrari at Maranello. It’s been inspired from their experience in racing, with the tooth-coil stator, Halbach array rotor configuration and magnet retention system in carbon fibre all being derived from F1 designs. 

The exterior of the F80 also gives off F1 vibes. It’s the definition of slick and sporty, with a muscular rear end, a ridiculously futuristic front grille, and butterfly doors. 

Inside, the cab is developed entirely around the driver. While there is a passenger seat, it’s been integrated into the cabin so well that you almost can’t tell it's there. As a result, the driver is unequivocally the main character, with the cockpit converging towards the controls and instrument panel. 

Trust me, this is a car that’s got that wow factor! 

No exact details have been released, but it's expected to arrive in the next couple of years. 

The Paris Motor Show 2024 

The Paris Motor Show is one of the marquee events in the automotive calendar. The biennial event took place last week, with manufacturers from across the globe heading to the French capital to showcase their latest technology. 

Here’s our take on the highlights of the week: 

It’s being held in Paris, so of course, the only place to start is with a French manufacturer. Renault revealed their new version of the 4, with it now taking the form of an everyday electric car. 

Described as practical and stylish, the 4 E-Tech has been designed with nods to its predecessors, but stripping it back, it's a classic modern electric SUV. 

There’s a minimalist interior, two screens on the dashboard, and a cool-looking steering wheel. Oh, and the design is boxy, which seems to be the case for every SUV nowadays. 

It comes with a range of up to 248 miles and can charge from 15% to 80% in just thirty minutes. 

Next, we have to talk about the large presence of Chinese manufacturers at the event. BYD, Leapmotor, and XPeng were all present and showcased their latest tech.  

XPeng unveiled the P7+, which they claim is the world’s first AI-defined vehicle. They've claimed the car can help drivers through an advanced assistance system that will make driving easier and more personalised. 

Finally, we have to talk about the Mobilize Bento and Mobilize Duo, which takes sustainable and affordable mobility to a whole new level. Mobilize, which is Renault’s urban mobility brand, unveiled the all-electric quadricycle the Duo, which is just 2.43 metres long by 1.3 metres wide.  

Bento is its van version. It does feel slightly wrong calling it a van, but it's slightly more practical. 

Tesla’s new Cybercab

Tesla and Elon Musk always find a way to make it onto the Automotive Roundup. Earlier in October, they revealed the Cybercab robotaxi, a $30,000 self-driving taxi. 

It comes with two wing doors, only two seats, and doesn’t have any pedals or a steering wheel. You simply get in the car, and it drives you to your destination. 

Musk calls it “personalised mass transit”, where customers can one day establish their own fleet of Cybercabs and start to make money from them. 

However, the announcement wasn’t what Tesla and Musk would’ve hoped. Their stock price fell after the markets opened, and rivals like Uber and Lyft traded around 10% higher. 

There have been numerous safety concerns raised regarding the Cybercab, and as it's completely self-driven, a fair few legal concerns also. 

I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Musk says it should arrive before 2027. 

Would you get a ride in a self-driven Cybercab? Let us know below. 

That’s all for the Automotive Roundup from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. Come back in two weeks for our next edition. See you then!