Ferrari Enzo

People are eager to see Ferrari’s replacement for its famous Enzo supercar, and more details about the car are beginning to emerge as it moves along from concept towards production. The latest information comes from Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, who indicated that the car will in fact use a direct-injected, twin-injected turbocharged V-8.

Ferrari verified it is working on a ”special series Enzo” set to debut in 2012 at Fiat’s five-year business plan. Other details include the use of lots of carbon fiber and no hybrid powertrain. Amedeo Felisa also hinted that the car is going to use a direct-injected, twin-turbocharged V-8, the opposite of earlier reports of the possibility of a twin-turbo V-6 or twin-turbo V-12. Reports indicate the engine will produce around 700 horsepower and use the vehicle’s lower weight for mind-bending performance.

“There are no plans for a six-cylinder engine today. Ferrari will not build a six-cylinder engine until customer attitudes towards smaller engines change,” Felisa told Autocar. “The perception today is that the number of cylinders equates to the possibilities of the car. That is why we are developing hybrid technology that can be applied to our V-8 and V-10 cars. Hybrid means we can protect the V-12.”

The most interesting aspect of Felisa’s statement is the mention of V-10-powered cars–an engine not found in Ferrari’s current lineup, not even in racing. This demostrates Ferrari is planning a V-10 engine for use in a car in the near future. Given Ferrari’s current lineup and the unveiling of the 599 HY-KERS, the future V-10 engine, if used at all, is likely to power Ferrari’s next large grand tourer, the 612 Scaglietti replacement.

Additionally, Felisa confirmed that Ferrari will use carbon fiber to lower the weight of the Enzo successor. “We will only use carbon fiber on very special cars which have a very low rate of production and which are not for everyday use, such as the new Enzo,” he said.

Besides validating that Ferrari will continue to use copious amounts of carbon fiber in its supercars as it did on the Enzo and F50, this shows Ferrari won’t follow rival McLaren’s example of using carbon fiber in its “everyday” cars. McLaren uses a carbon fiber monocoque in its latest MP4-12C roadgoing car. Both BMW and Mercedes-Benz have committed to using carbon fiber extensively in the future as well.

“The fact is that nobody today has a real understanding of what happens if you damage a carbon fiber structure. After 20 or 30 years of use, who knows what state a carbon fiber structure will be in?” Felisa gave as his reason behind limiting the use of carbon fiber to Ferrari’s exotic supercars.

What do you think about the Ferrari Enzo replacement and what Amedeo Felisa has to say about it?

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Source: autocar.co.uk via rumors.automobilemag.com

A concept car of the Ferrari F70

It’s being hailed as the ultimate, most advanced road car Ferrari has ever made.

Aiming to leave exotic rivals including the Lamborghini Reventon and Bugatti Veyron behind, the ferocious flagship will break from the norm in more than one way. And our stunning illustrations show how such a model could look.

It will not only be quicker and more focused than the Enzo, but smaller, lighter and more fuel efficient too. In addition, the latest rumors suggest a twin-turbo V8 will provide the power. It will be the first use of turbos in a production Ferrari since the 1987 F40, making this the spiritual successor to that definitive supercar.

Internally codenamed the F70, the newcomer will use knowledge gathered from the FXX scheme. This invited customers to buy a pumped-up and stripped-out version of the Enzo for 1.5 million GBP, but allowed them to drive their purchases only on approved track days. Afterwards, they briefed Ferrari on possible improvements.

The philosophy behind this new downsized and lightweight supercar is derived from 2007′s Millechilli concept. Although little more than a fiberglass model, it demonstrated Ferrari’s aim to increase the performance of future models by shedding weight, not by increasing horsepower.

Millechilli means 1,000 kg in Italian. It’s an ambitious target for the F70 kerbweight- a full 365 kg (803 lb) less than the Enzo-but Ferrari is ready to apply every weight-saving measure possible.

Rival McLaren is leading the way in lightweight construction, with an F1-style carbon fiber tub forming the basis of its MP4-12C supercar, so Ferrari wants to regain the initiative in this area.

An overhauled and shrunken tub, carbon fiber body panels-plus carbon-ceramic brakes and a no-frills cabin-should keep weight to a minimum. Ferrari already heads efforts to reduce CO2, having slashed output by 10 percent in 2009. It promises further cuts from its current 387 g/km average by 2012.

But reducing body mass alone won’t be enough to achieve this. To slash CO2 significantly, the engine also needs an advanced design. The Enzo’s V12 will make way for a new direct-injection twin-turbo V8-the same layout as in the legendary F40. Output is likely to be on a par with the Enzo’s 660 bhp, but that lower weight should put performance on another level. Expect a three-second 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) time and top speed in excess of 230 mph (370 km/h).

A twin-turbo V6 is also under consideration, to replace the 458 Italia and California’s V8s. Yet before either unit is signed off, engineers are keen to eliminate turbo lag. The F40 was famous for the delay between throttle inputs and the arrival of a savage wave of torque. But Ferrari claims it won’t resort to turbos again until it’s perfected the technology to give the instant response for which its naturally aspirated cars are renowned.

One option is electric or hybrid chargers. These use a small electric motor to spool the turbos up to operating speeds much faster than in a normal set-up, where exhaust gas has to be recirculated.

The result is a virtual elimination of turbo lag and a linear power delivery that will be familiar to owners of current Ferraris. Just like the Enzo, the F70 will be strictly limited to a production run of 399 examples, adhering to Ferrari’s philosophy of always building one less car than you think you can sell. But not just anyone will be able to put their name on the waiting list. Buyers will need to be personally invited by Ferrari to pay for the expected $1 million (600,000 GBP) asking price when the car goes on sale in 2012.

What do you think about the concept pictures of the Ferrari F70?

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Source: autoexpress.co.uk

According to a report on AutoGuide, Ferrari will have no official presence at the upcoming LA Auto Show. That means the 458 Italia that debuted at Frankfurt Motor Show won’t be showing itself in Los Angeles. In fact, no Ferrari will-well, not any official Ferrari cars anyway. (We’re sure a few tuners will have some modified cars). Speculation is that the automaker most likely will have a private event held nearby, but Ferrari hasn’t released any info on that.

After showing the California at the LA Auto Show last year, several rumors pointed towards Ferrari displaying a possible hybrid prototype in 2009. That, we have now learned, will not be the case.

The unfortunate news joins other similar news like McLaren pulling the MP4-12C out of the show. Also absent will be Aston Martin, which we expected would use the show to give a North American debut to its new Rapide sedan.

It’s shaping up to be a rather disappointing LA showing, though we’re sure there will be plenty of other attention-grabbing debuts and concepts to make the trip worthwhile.

What do you think about the Ferrari 458 Italia?

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Source: motorcrave.com and autoguide.com