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4 Minutes
A unique piece of LaFerrari history hits the auction block
For collectors captivated by the LaFerrari’s place among the hypercar elite, owning an actual production example can cost well into seven figures. But for enthusiasts who prize engineering provenance and development lore, an early test mule like the F150 Muletto M4 offers an alternative route into Ferrari history — and it’s now expected to attract serious bids at auction.
Origins and chassis modifications
The car began life as a Ferrari 458 Italia, but it no longer resembles a showroom 458. To evaluate and fit the V12 destined for the LaFerrari, engineers heavily reworked the aluminum chassis. That adaptation was necessary to accommodate a 6.3-liter V12 that reportedly produced about 789 horsepower in this prototype — a dramatic increase over the factory 458’s 562-hp V8. While this test mule supplied vital data for development, its structural and mechanical changes removed it from any possibility of later road registration.
Design: a Frankenstein exterior, familiar cockpit
As a development vehicle, aesthetics were secondary to function. Most original 458 body panels were replaced with functional add-ons and bespoke pieces, yielding a patchwork appearance. Only a handful of 458 elements remain at the rear, like the taillights and some vents. Inside, however, the cabin largely retains 458 Italia components, with the notable addition of an auxiliary battery mounted in the passenger footwell to support test equipment.
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Vehicle specifications (high level)
- Base donor: Ferrari 458 Italia
- Prototype name: F150 Muletto M4
- Engine: 6.3L V12 (development unit) — ~789 hp reported
- Chassis: heavily modified aluminum structure for V12 installation
- Registration: not road-legal (test mule/prototype)
Performance and technical context
While the prototype’s 789-hp V12 represents substantial power on its own, it’s important to distinguish this test engine from the final LaFerrari package. The production LaFerrari combined a V12 with HY-KERS hybrid assistance to achieve roughly 950 hp and deliver the hypercar’s signature performance figures. The mule’s role was to validate integration, cooling, packaging and dynamics rather than to provide a finished-performance benchmark.
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Market positioning and auction outlook
RM Sotheby’s is handling the current sale and has estimated a hammer range of $900,000 to $1.2 million. That valuation reflects strong collector interest in development cars and Ferrari provenance, even though the vehicle can never be registered for normal road use. This particular mule has auction history: Mecum sold it three years ago for $715,000, which underscores how prototype Ferraris can appreciate as historical artifacts rather than daily drivers.
How it compares to a finished LaFerrari
Buying a prototype like the F150 Muletto M4 is fundamentally different from buying a finished LaFerrari. A production LaFerrari is a complete, road-capable hypercar with full provenance, modern desirability, and higher auction prices (often exceeding $4 million). The mule, by contrast, is prized for its developmental significance, rarity, and story — attractive to museums, collectors of Ferrari engineering, or those who want a tangible link to the brand’s development process.
For buyers seeking automotive history instead of concours-perfect finishes, this strange-looking Ferrari prototype represents a rare chance to own a tangible chapter in the LaFerrari’s development. Interested bidders should review the RM Sotheby’s listing and provenance documents before placing any offers.
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