July 4, 2002
By Erik C. Nielsen
Pictures courtesy and
copyright Ferrari Media
Ferrari released more information on its new flagship super car today, much to the salivating delight of the tifosi. Officially called the Enzo Ferrari, but referred to simply as the Enzo, not the F60 (mainly because we're in the 55th year of Ferrari production), this car follows in a great line of successors to the limited edition 288 GTO of the early 1980's. Owning a modern Ferrari used to be bragging rights, owning this one will allow the owner to say that he has the ultimate of racing lessons learned to date parked in his garage.
The styling of the car is a modern interpretation of how to cheat the wind with the usual design elements that Pininfarina is famous for. Following the trend with modern Ferrari design, there is no huge appendage of a wing hanging off of the tail (since this market has now been successfully saturated by aftermarket suppliers for the Honda Civic), but down force has been gained by twin Venturi tunnels on the underside of the car. The rear wing will automatically move (similar to the rear spoiler of the 456) to maximize stability at high speeds.
The doors open in a modified gullwing effect, being double hinged a la the 512S. The twin intakes for the radiators are similar to those on the 360, and emulate the general shape of a modified front wing from the high nose F1 cars of the last several years. There are movable flaps up front to work in relationship to the rear spoiler.
Of course, all of the body components have been cast in carbon fiber with support coming from aluminum honeycomb. The interior is pure and functional following the mold set by the F40 and F50 models. All exposed surfaces are in carbon fiber, with no extras in sight. The wheel copies the $20k wheels of the F1 program (albeit with less functions) and puts more toys for the driver to goggle over. There even are the little Christmas tree lights on the top to show you how close you are to doing your Montoya impression and blow the motor. The seats are racing inspired, also in carbon fiber and come in S, M, L, and XL. One more chance to add a couple of grand to the sticker price.
The engine is a glorious example of what the best in the business can come up with. The 4 valves per cylinder V12 puts out 660 hp at 7800 rpm and features such neat-to-look-at- but-a-pain-to-work-on components including continuously variable timing, high pressure hydraulics, drive-by-wire throttle valve, 12 coils, and a variable inlet geometry manifold. And it all moves in harmony, up to 8200 rpm. If you thought a rebuild on a 308 was a sizable sum, wait until this one breaks.
The 6 speed gearbox is mated to the engine and engaged with a hydraulically activated clutch. The now familiar F1 style shifting first featured on the F355 road car comes standard. The sport/normal controls and the reverse button are now on the wheel. Let's hope the Schuie wannabes don't hit the R button and think it's the radio.
All of the control systems are linked, so let's hope that the engine computer speaks the same Italian as the gearbox, ABS, ASR, and the aerodynamics computers. The car rides on 19" rims (sorry Southern California rap stars, no 20" rims yet) shod in new 35 series Bridgestone Scuderia tires. Braking comes from steering wheel sized Brembo ceramic brakes. Trust me, even an old Ferrari like my 365 will be cheap to maintain compared to this thing.
Is all of this worth it? Depends. If your fragile ego needs to have the latest and greatest parked in your circular driveway to piss off your neighbors, sure, it's a good purchase. If you need a flashy car to get looks on the street, this one will do that well, too. You can even get the shallow crowd that comes with that lifestyle in droves to come over and look at it.
If you've reached the point of being confident enough where you don't need to flash money around or are scared of this age of billion dollar collapses where its open season on accountants and CEO's, now's probably not the time, and this isn't the car.
Enzo always said that the best Ferrari made is the next one. Well, this is the next one. . . until the next one...
Engine
65° V12
Bore/stroke 92x75.2 mm
Unit displacement 499.8 cc
Displacement 5998 cc
Compression ratio 11,2:1
Maximum power
485 kW (660 bhp) a 7.800 rpm
Maximum torque
657 Nm (67 kgm) a 5.500 rpm
Dimensions and weight
Length 4702 mm
Width 2035 mm
Height 1147 mm
Wheel base 2650 mm
Front track 1660 mm
Rear track 1650 mm
Weight 1255 kg
Weight distribution 110 litres
Performance
Top speed > 350 km/h
0-60 mph 3.65"
0-400 m 11.0"
0-1,000 m 19.6"
Tyres
Front 245/35 ZR 19
Rear 345/35 ZR 19
Brakes
Front 380 x 34 mm
Rear 380 x 34mm
