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Generations change and culture changes alongside it. Lingo gets an update, music evolves, and fashion changes. However, one constant that seems to outlast the march of time is the appeal of supercars. The same dramatic, world-class supercars of yesteryear’s bedroom posters have evolved into new hypercars with tech-stuffed driver suites. Still, with the changing times, even supercars lose a little something to progress. In the case of some new hypercars, it could be a comparably lifeless song.

The new hypercars of today are better to drive and live with than old-school supercars, but they may have lost their voice

Today’s hypercars are ballistic, grippy, intelligent performance benchmarks. However, rather than relying on naturally aspirated V12s, high-revving V10s, and pollution-spewing V8s, the latest nameplates are reaching for hybrid solutions and smaller engines. Still, in the process of updating with the times, supercars and hypercars might be losing their songs. 

For instance, Jeremy Clarkson of the BBC’s long-running Top Gear and Amazon’s The Grand Tour seemed to enjoy flogging the Ford GT around an English test track. And why wouldn’t he? The cavernous arches and channels alongside the GT’s bodywork promote sticky, unrelenting downforce. Pair the downforce with back-shattering suspension, weight-saving carbon fiber, and 647 horsepower, and the GT is a force on the track.

Clarkson’s qualms with the Ford GT include that powerful mill behind the driver. It’s a twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6. Sure, it outmuscles the stone-age 550-horsepower supercharged V8 in its predecessor. However, Clarkson lamented the loss of the eight-cylinder soundtrack. In fact, he called the latest Ford GT’s report “just noise.”

More recently, Ferrari unveiled the F80, the latest Prancing Horse to join a lineage reaching back past icons like the F40 and 288GTO. Better yet, the new F80 produces an eye-watering 1,184 horsepower courtesy of a tri-motor hybrid application.

However, unlike the orchestral sound of the high-revving twin-turbo 2.9L V8 in the F40, the F80 sings to the tune of a twin-turbo V6 (just like the Ford GT). Unfortunately, the internet has been less than kind regarding the F80’s soundtrack. Some commenters are throwing around terms like “underwhelming at best.” Moreover, some fans are claiming they’ll listen to videos of proven vocalists like the Lexus LFA as “therapy.” 

Check out a video of the F80 tackling corners below!

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman joined the MotorBiscuit team as an Autos Writer in 2022. An admitted petrolhead and an avid motorcyclist, Erik has owned everything from classic cars to motorcycles to modern driver’s cars. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is an eager car and motorcycle reviewer with expertise covering everything from sports cars and electric motorcycles to pontoon boats and jet skis.

Erik holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He also studied Chinese, Energy, and European Politics at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Erik’s background is unorthodox; he is a United States Marine Corps (USMC) combat veteran, water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. Additionally, Erik is a regular volunteer and former instructor with the American Red Cross (ARC). When he’s not working, you can find Erik on his motorcycle or out for a spirited drive.