Top-secret LaFerrari replacement leaked

Ferrari has applied for a patent at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) for what appears to be a new hypercar that looks to be based on its current LaFerrari.

Published on EUIPO's website late last night, the new images have provoked huge speculation on whether the vehicle is a direct replacement for the LaFerrari or a one-off LaFerrari-based hypercar commissioned by a wealthy collector.

Some are even suggesting the design patented might not be a Ferrari at all and could be the long-awaited replacement for the Maserati MC12.

Whatever it is, the new hypercar shares proportions with the current LaFerrari and, it's thought, its carbon-fibre monocoque.

Under its new skin that means the mystery McLaren P1 rival will come with a development of the same 6.3-litre naturally-aspirated V12 engine that incorporates a 120kW electric motor in a Formula 1-style HY-KERS configuration.

Combined, in the LaFerrari the petrol-electric system produces 708kW and 700Nm, which allows the hypercar to reach 100km/h in less than three seconds and 200km/h in a fraction under 7.0sec.

Featuring slimline front LED headlights and a re-skinned body that includes Ferrari 599 GTB-style flying buttresses, the design screams a completely rethought aero package that's almost certain to incorporate new active spoilers.

At the rear of the car, again, there's an LED light bar that stretches across the car and triangular exhaust tips -- hinting there's no chance this is a planet-saving pure-electric supercar.

This year Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary and a new hypercar could be its birthday present to itself.

If so, some are predicting it will follow in the tyre tracks of Ferrari's 40th anniversary gift to the world and be called the F70.