Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo by Novitec Is Low, Wide, and Incredibly Powerful

by Gabrielle DeSantis

There is no denying that Ferrari has been busy as of late, producing more new models than we can count. As a result, some of these cars technically go out of production before major aftermarket kits or upgrades are ever available for them. That appears to be the case with the brand-new Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo by Novitec.

According to Motor1, this mid-engined supercar is now lower, wider, longer, and significantly more powerful than the standard car. In fact, this modified Ferrari now pushes out up to 818 hp from its twin-turbo V8 engine. As you might imagine, such comprehensive revisions don’t come cheap. Additionally, only 15 of these cars will ever exist.

How fast is the Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo by Novitec?

Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo | Novitec

If it isn’t apparent from its extreme bodywork, the Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo by Novitec is all about speed. In fact, the German tuner tests all of its new body panels in a wind tunnel to make sure that they are as efficient as possible. As a result, this N-Largo resembles an extreme version of the F8 we never got to see from Ferrari.

According to Motor1, it all starts with lowering springs which lower the car by 1.4 in. However, you still retain the ability to raise the car by 1.6 in to avoid speedbumps and other obstacles. In terms of the car’s new bodywork, it widens this Ferrari’s footprint by up to 5.1 inches. As you might imagine, this is why the car also gets a brand-new set of staggered wheels by Vossen.

In terms of outright performance, we’re looking at a total of 818 hp and 686 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbo V8 engine in the middle. According to Motor1, this marks an improvement of 108 hp and 118 lb-ft of torque over the standard car. This gets the Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo by Novitec to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds and to a top speed of 211 mph.

How much does this kit cost?

An image of a Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo by Novitec in a photo studio.
Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo | Novitec

If you want a Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo by Novitec, you’ll need some fairly deep pockets. For starters, you’ll need to buy a brand-new F8 to start this transformation, which carries a base price of over $270,000. Given all of the extensive exterior and mechanical modifications on offer here, don’t be surprised if this kit costs well over six figures.

However, if you want to make your Italian supercar even more exclusive, this might be one of the best ways to do so, thanks to a tiny production run.

Only 15 of the Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largos by Novitec will exist

An image of a Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo by Novitec in a photo studio.
Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo | Novitec

RELATED: $500,000 Ferrari 488 Pista Gets Wrecked by a $5,000 Renault Twingo

While we don’t know how much the Ferrari F8 Tributo N-Largo costs, chances are it won’t be cheap. As a result, it’s easier to sink money into a project if you know it’s very exclusive. To this end, Novitec announced it only plans to build 15 of these cars in total. However, given the number of buyers looking to have the most exclusive products, selling these 15 cars likely won’t be an issue. So if you manage to see one out on the road, count yourself lucky.

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Toyota Tundra – Strong Fourth Horse in a Three-Horse Race

by Gabrielle DeSantis

If you haven’t figured it out by now, full-size pickup trucks are a big deal in the USA. Detroit’s “Big Three” have squared off with their prospective offerings: the Ford F-150, the Chevy Silverado, and the Ram 1500. As far as the North American truck market goes, it’s primarily down to those three main contenders. Nonetheless, the Toyota Tundra has been working hard to join the fray, aiming to prove that it’s just as popular with American drivers. After all, the Tundra is still the only full-size pickup truck made in Texas—a state that boasts 4.2 million pickup truck owners.

The “Big Three” have been crushing annual sales for years

2021 Toyota Tundra Trail Edition | Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

The Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, and Ram 1500 have done nothing but crush the full-size pickup truck market for over a decade and a half. Looking at the annual sales figures for the Ford F-150 starting back in 2006 through Q1 and Q2 2021, it only sold below half a million units once. According to GoodCarBadCar, 2009 was the worst year for the F-150, selling only 413,625 units. However, Ford sold between 750,000 and 800,000 units more frequently, with figures exceeding or nearly exceeding 900,000 several times.

As for the Chevy Silverado, sales figures barely climbed over 700,000 once in 2005. After that, it only managed to sell slightly over 600,000 units three times between 2006 and 2015. Overall, the median number of Silverado models sold is around 574,876 units, compared to the average of 764,402 sold for the F-150. To put it in another perspective, Ford sold 12,049,841 F-150 models between 2005 and 2021, and Chevrolet only sold 8,630,042 Silverado models.

The Ram 1500—though being the third best-selling full-size pickup in the U.S.—faired a lot worse. The Ram 1500 model’s best year to date was in 2019, when it managed to sell 633,694 units. For some reason, the number of units fluctuated considerably from between as low as 177,268 in 2009 to 563,676 in 2020. The total number of Ram 1500 models sold between 2005 and 2021 has been 6,421,542, averaging 364,177.

The Toyota Tundra still boasts fourth place, though drastically behind

Even when compared against the poor sales figures of the Ram 1500, the Toyota Tundra barely nicked the chart. According to GoodCarBadCar, the Tundra’s best year was in 2007 when it sold 196,555 units, nearly reaching 200,000. Since then, sales numbers have fluctuated between 101,000 and 119,000 units. Interestingly enough, the midsize Toyota Tacoma has a slightly better sales record than its bigger sibling, with 114,385 units sold in 2021 compared to the Tundra model’s meager 36,241 units.

In terms of general pickups, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma is the fourth best-selling pickup in America without market segmentation. Of course, with two new special edition models and 31 other possible trim combinations, it’s not surprising.

What are some pros and cons of the Toyota Tundra?

As we wrote back in late April, the Toyota Tundra holds its value fairly well. According to our findings, the Tundra will only depreciate by 15 percent within the initial year of ownership. After about three years, you can expect just 23-percent depreciation. Cost of ownership combined with depreciation are among the top three factors one should consider when purchasing a new vehicle. It also has won Kelley Blue Book’s 5 Year Cost to Own Award as another huge plus.

The 2021 Tundra has a powerful V8 engine that produces 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque; it offers a great deal of standard and available features; passengers will have plenty of legroom in both rows of seats. However, that’s where the pros end. It’s been over a decade since Toyota last gifted the Tundra with a refresh or a redesign. This means that the Tundra boasts a less stylish and modern interior compared to its competitors.

The Tundra hasn’t quite earned a good reputation for solid reliability. While there are some decent model years, the Tundra has its fair share of models to steer clear of. The thing potential buyers should be most wary of, nonetheless, is its below-average safety score, jarring ride quality, and poor gas mileage. It only gets an EPA estimated 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway.

Reviewers at U.S. News wrote that the 2021 Toyota Tundra has unimpressive cabin materials and lower towing and hauling capacities than most rivals in the same segment. With all that said, you should take a closer look at other options unless you love Toyota.

RELATED: The 2022 Toyota Tundra Has a Sharp New Face

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2021 Honda CR-V — if It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It

by Gabrielle DeSantis

The class-leading 2021 Honda CR-V consistently rates among the top compact SUVs on the market today. Its responsive handling, composed performance, and ample cargo space make a winning formula for the reliable crossover. While rivals try to compete, the Honda CR-V steadfastly retains its number-one spot in the segment with unsurpassed functionality and dependability.

The Honda CR-V has a winning formula for compact SUVs

2021 Honda CR-V Touring | American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

The 2021 Honda CR-V is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generating 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. This compact SUV can go from 0 to 60 mph in a respectable 7.8 seconds.

A vast torque range of 2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm allows for quick shift-free acceleration and steady performance. Honda has attained a perfect match with a continuously variable transmission providing responsive handling and reputable fuel economy. The all-wheel-drive model gets 27 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.

Kelley Blue Book handed the 2021 Honda CR-V the Best Buy Award and called it “one of the best compact SUVs you can buy.” KBB added, “Ingredients for the CR-V’s recipe for success include a decades-long history of reliability and high resale value, easy and efficient driving manners, practicality, and among the roomiest interiors in its class. And it all comes at a price tag that’s digestible to everyday buyers.”

The 2021 Honda CR-V is a top pick in its segment

The interior of the 2021 Honda CR-V is equally impressive, with a digital instrument cluster and functional dashboard. There are plenty of spots to charge a phone with ample storage holders. The cabin design affords ease of operation for both the driver and passengers.

However, MotorTrend found the “silly-looking” wood trim on the CR-V Touring model to be “awkward and out of place, as if it was used to fulfill some sort of corporate mandate.” MT also found the intractable infotainment system “unnecessarily complex and difficult to navigate.” The voice-recognition system was not up to par with comparable models in its class, and the menu structure was frustratingly complex. Despite these minor complaints, MotorTrend found the 2021 Honda CR-V offers a “good balance of power and economy.”

In addition, the CR-V’s generous cargo area stands out amid the competition. Foldable seatbacks extend the amount of space in the loading bay even further. And the optional power liftgate offers a lower opening height ideal for low-clearance enclosures. The taillights are also a nice design feature adding to this SUV’s allure.

A ride like no other

Aside from all of the other perks, ride quality is a major part of what makes the 2021 Honda CR-V a top pick in the segment. It boasts a composed performance that’s surprisingly competent for an SUV.

The 2021 Honda CR-V also offers impeccable steering capabilities with tires that grip the road, allowing the driver to feel in control at all times, even on difficult-to-maneuver terrain. Though this SUV admittedly has a slight bounce when taking corners, its composure is never sacrificed. And around town, the CR-V is second to none.

The CR-V’s longtime rivals include the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Kia Sportage, and Subaru Forester. And the 2022 Hyundai Tucson could soon become a class-leading contender with its roomy back seat and generous cargo space. Though these other SUVs are noteworthy competitors, the 2021 Honda CR-V has remained a top pick.

After test-driving the SUV, MotorTrend’s reviewers said that “driving experience is competent and unfailingly pleasant.” They added, “If you didn’t know any better, you’d think Honda had been building CR-Vs for a quarter-century and had the formula pretty well worked out.”

Rating it best in its class, MotorTrend said that overall, the 2021 Honda CR-V “comes across as humble and unassuming, but it is also unfailingly capable — reasonably powerful and efficient, outstandingly practical, and surprisingly rewarding to drive. That’s what makes it number one.”

RELATED: The 2021 Honda CR-V is Boring But Practical

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Can Ferrari’s New CEO Lead the Prancing Horse to Electrified Glory?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Ferrari has long staked its reputation on its high-performance models. The brand’s supercar lineup never disappoints, with powerful engines capable of extreme speeds and exhilarating performance. But as the auto industry shifts to electric, some observers believe Ferrari has fallen behind. However, the Italian automaker’s recent announcement of a new tech-savvy CEO and first plug-in hybrid vehicle could signal renewed glory for the Prancing Horse.

Tech leader to drive Ferrari into the future as CEO

Ferrari emblem on a black supercar on June 28, 2021 | Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Ferrari recently recruited 52-year-old Benedetto Vigna, who “helped the iPhone sense when it’s been tilted sideways,” away from STMicroelectronics NV to become the automaker’s new CEO, Bloomberg reported.

Vigna helped pioneer the iPhone 4’s three-dimensional screen-sensor technology widely used in smartphones, gaming consoles, and vehicle navigation systems globally. STMicro is also known for providing components to the German mega-supplier Robert Bosch GmbH and EV maker Tesla. 

Tom Narayan, an RBC Capital Markets analyst, added, “Appointing someone relatively young and from the technology field sets the tone for where Ferrari is headed.”

Bloomberg reported that Vigna will be under pressure to “strike a balance between engineering purists hooked on roaring combustion engines and a younger clientele demanding the Italian carmaker embrace a battery-powered future in the same way that Porsche or Lamborghini have done.” 

Ferrari’s delayed effort to electrify its lineup

While Porsche, Lamborghini, and Ferrari are identified for their soulful internal combustion engines and delightful performance, the auto industry’s electrification is inevitable, even for these luxury brands. And Ferrari has been under fire lately for its delayed effort to embrace electrification. 

In 2019, Porsche released the Taycan, which has proven that an electrified supercar is doable. The 800-volt architecture delivers performance and has attracted more new buyers to the luxury brand. Bloomberg reported that sales of the electric Taycan are almost on par with the carmaker’s iconic 911. 

In addition, Ferrari’s Italian rival, Lamborghini, recently announced its plan to offer plug-in hybrid versions of each model in its lineup by 2024, with an all-electric model to follow. Lamborghini has made it clear that electrification is the future for the luxury performance brand. The limited production of the Sian in 2019 was the first hint at Lamborghini’s push to electrifying its lineup. But rather than having a charging port, the Sian stores energy from the car’s impressive gasoline engine in a supercapacitor and uses it to provide additional power when the driver accelerates or shifts gears.

Ferrari’s delay in electrifying its lineup coincides with the carmaker’s loyalty to its heritage of high-performance cars. However, with its passion for change and a new tech-savvy CEO, Ferrari looks toward an electrified future. Interim CEO John Elkann even recently outlined plans for a fully electric model for 2025, Motortrend reports. 

The brand’s new PHEV supercar

Despite Ferrari’s delay in producing an EV, its new PHEV shows a step in the right direction. With a sticker price of about $500,000 to $700,000, the 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale is the most expensive model in the lineup. The Drive agrees this PHEV doesn’t disappoint in providing Ferrari-level performance, but it lacks bells and whistles. However, this mid-engine car features a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 and three electric motors, delivering an estimated 0-to-62-mph time of 2.5 seconds. 

Staying true to the Italian automaker’s heritage, the Ferrari SF90 also offers three performance modes: hybrid, EV only, and Qualify. As a normal production supercar, the SF90 shows the Prancing Horse is cantering toward an electric lineup. 

RELATED: The 2021 Ferrari SF90 Stradale Is ‘Better Than Therapy,’ Says MotorTrend

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