![The Ferrari F80: A look at the history of supercars with its “before and after” [Car English Vol. 12]](https://wheelfeed.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/1162-1761527364362.jpg)
FERRARI F80
A history-changing presence
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[1] The Ferrari F80 test drive begins with a passionate tone, typical of a French journalist. In a way, it’s a fitting tone for this model. [2] Chevalier describes the F80 as a turning point in the history of supercars.
The Ferrari F80 is the latest version of iconic models such as the F40, F50, Enzo, and LaFerrari. It is Ferrari’s first electric turbo, and its power unit, consisting of a 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo and three motors, produces a total of 1,200 PS. This time, we will use the test drive report of this model by French journalist Laurent Chevalier as a teaching material.
The F80, a turning point in supercar history
The dramatic opening of the F80 test drive report, in the passionate style of a French journalist, begins with a statement that the car will make all previous supercars obsolete:
“From the first few turns of the wheel it’s clear, there will be a before and after. Forget the Paganis, the Koenigseggs, and the Bugattis… pushing driving sensations to a level never before reached. Never.”
The use of “before and after” here is a dichotomous phrase that indicates the time before and after a major change. By dividing the passage of time into two, the F80, which has the potential to rewrite history, is portrayed as a “turning point for supercars.”
A lingering sentence
Furthermore, following “never before reached” he uses the single word “Never.” to stand alone. By piling up the impact with a short, one-word sentence that cannot be conveyed simply by saying “reached an unprecedented level,” he leaves a strong impression on the reader. The atmosphere of the article can be translated into Japanese as follows:
“At the slightest turn of the steering wheel, you can see the division in supercar history into ‘before’ and ‘after’. Forget Pagani, Koenigsegg and Bugatti… (The F80) takes the driving sensation to a level no one has ever reached before. Like never before.”
Cultural background of journalists
The dramatic style of writing, unlike the restrained metaphors of the British or the logical descriptions of the Germans, is bold and expressive with passionate words. The opening description of F80 also clearly shows the cultural individuality of French journalists.
A joyous “convulsion” and a machine coming to life
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[3] In this cockpit, he felt a sense of immersion rather than a sense of unity. [4] The entire F80, including the engine and suspension, felt like an “organic machine.”
The description of the F80’s cornering performance is also quite unique. The author begins by writing: “I’m having spasms of euphoria.”
Metaphors from the movie “Avatar”
A literal translation would be “I’m having convulsions of euphoria.” This is not a medical convulsion, but an exaggerated metaphorical expression that means “my body is shaking with joy and excitement.” It conveys not just the feeling of “I’m happy,” but the strong nuance of “my body is moving with uncontrollable delight.” The author continues:
“There are cars that feel as if they’re one with the machine; here, it’s the opposite: it’s as if the instrument has become a living organism. The first thing I thought of was the movie Avatar.”
A literal translation would be, “There are some cars that make you feel as if you are one with them (when driving). But the F80 is the opposite. Rather, it feels like the machine has become a living organism. The first thing that came to mind was the movie Avatar.” Generally, a good driving performance is expressed as “a sense of oneness between the driver and the car,” but what’s unique here is that it says “the car becomes a living entity.” Furthermore, by bringing in the worldview of Avatar, it depicts an experience that feels as if you are immersed in another world.
A sense of unity that goes beyond “Jinba Ittai” (oneness between horse and rider)
The line ” I’m having spasms of euphoria ” echoes the description of “machines as organisms,” as it evokes a scene in which an avatar character consciously connects with a living creature in a virtual world and shares an intense sensation with it. The author describes cornering the F80 as an experience that feels like connecting with a living thing.
To sum it up in Japanese, it would be natural to say, “I was overcome with a feeling that made me tremble with joy. With many cars you feel a sense of unity, but with the F80 it was the opposite. The machine itself felt like a living organism, and the first thing that came to mind was the movie Avatar.”
This series of expressions highlights the F80’s character as “more than a machine” and leaves a strong impression on the reader.
The F80 is portrayed as more than just a car
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[5] The Ferrari F80 is portrayed as more than just a supercar. [6] This supercar test drive report can be enjoyed as a “story woven by words” by learning English.
Both of these expressions portray the Ferrari F80 as more than just a supercar. If you understand the intent of these expressions, you can enjoy the test drive report as a story woven with words, rather than just a presentation of specifications and data. For the Ferrari brand, which is particularly mythical, its essence is revealed in how it talks about innovation and performance using rhetoric (expressive techniques that resonate with the heart).
