RE: Ferrari stuns with Enzo racer

RE: Ferrari stuns with Enzo racer

Thursday 16th June 2005

Ferrari stuns with Enzo racer

New 800bhp+ FXX for special customers only. Queue here


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Ferrari FXX: a monster 800bhp-plus
Ferrari FXX: a monster 800bhp-plus

Ferrari is to build 20-off versions of a stripped Enzo-based, track-only car powered by what appears to be a bored-out version of the Enzo's six-litre V12. As a result, the new FXX develops some 800bhp, compared to the Enzo's mere 660bhp.

According to Ferrari, initial testing of the definitive car is now taking place at Fiorano, Ferrari's private test track.

The price -- a stratospheric €1.5m (£1m) -- will include a comprehensive track testing programme.

Ferrari reckoned that it has developed "a truly innovative technical collaboration programme around the FXX prototype aimed at its most dedicated and passionate clients."

The FXX is the most advanced GT ever created at Maranello, said Ferrari, and its mission is to involve Ferrari’s best customers "as genuine prancing horse test drivers", adding that "the wealth of data and experience gathered in the course of this very special programme will be exceptionally important."

Feedback from those customers will be compared and supplemented with suggestions from one M Schumacher, a certain R Barrichello and Ferrari’s professional in-house test drivers.

Buyers will, said Ferrari, be joining Team Ferrari, and will have their driving experiences at the wheel of this new car monitored directly by the company's technicians and specialists.

The FXX will provide the basic framework on which the specifics of future extreme models will be worked out. The exceptionally powerful FXX delivers "absolutely blistering performance".

The FXX has not been homologated for road use and thus will not be a competition model. It will be used exclusively on the track as part of a specific ongoing research and development programme featuring this first ever group of client test drivers.

Motive power and specifications

The FXX is powered by a 6.2-litre V12 with over 800bhp at 8,500 rpm. Its gearbox is the result of the transfer of F1 strategies, delivering gear change times of under 100msec -- almost as fast as F1 cars.

The FXX’s aerodynamic design is particularly innovative too as it has resulted in a shape that produces 40 per cent higher downforce than ever achieved before, according to the prancing horse. Drivers can adjust the FXX’s mobile spoiler to suit the specific circuit.

Ferrari’s partnership with Bridgestone has resulted in the development of a 19-inch slick tyre specifically for the FXX. Brembo has also created a special brake cooling and pad system for the FXX’s extra large composite ceramic material brakes.

A second seat is available -- but sounds like an optional extra.

Track specifics

The FXX will sport telemetry systems that monitor and give feedback on 39 different vehicle dynamics parameters in real time. The system is also able to record other data as demanded by specific circumstances.

The information gathered will then be analysed by the Ferrari technicians working on the programme and discussed with the driver to ensure that the car is kept constantly updated.

The FXX package also includes participation in a series of track events to be organised by Ferrari on various international-level circuits over the coming two years. On these occasions, an official team of technicians will be on hand to provide any assistance and support required by the driver.

In addition to these unique official events, drivers will also be able to take their cars out on the track independently during private sessions. Clients wishing to leave their car at Maranello will be glad to know that the vehicles will be transported directly by Ferrari to the various European circuits for the scheduled events.

Given the car’s exceptional performance and the unique nature of the package, delivery of each FXX will also include an ad hoc driving course. The instructors will be professional drivers and the courses will take place at Fiorano where Ferrari does much of its F1 testing.

After the seat and the pedals have been individually tailored to each driver, there will be a traditional "shakedown" followed by a training session dedicated to test driving methodologies.

Ferrari said that, after a careful client order selection process, the first FXXs will be delivered by the end of this year. Applications to join the programme are being evaluated by a special in-house committee.

Author
Discussion

604

Original Poster:

489 posts

233 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
Oh. My. God.

_dobbo_

14,426 posts

249 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
Jaysus! Makes the MC12 look like a shrinking violet!

FourWheelDrift

88,692 posts

285 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
I'll add to my earlier comments on another thread now I've had my coffee.

Uglier than an ugly thing hit repeatedly with the ugly stick.

They have the Enzo and the MC12 (although now Maserati are going under Alfa's control). This is just pointless, and ugly.

Didn't Clarkson on TG say he believed Alfa were going to start production of the MC12 now they have them. Is this perhaps Ferrari's reaction? Who knows? Who cares?

>> Edited by FourWheelDrift on Thursday 16th June 11:51

peanutjb

956 posts

247 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
Seriously, where did this come from and what were they thinking?

Peter

errek72

943 posts

247 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
It came from the marketing department and they were thinking how can we make a big fat heep of cash with zero investment.

But you can't argue with it's stats. More power, less weight.
I like a lot more than that bloated Veedub, ehrm, Veyron.

twin turbo

5,544 posts

267 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
Another one for Mr Frank Mountain?

beigepants

33 posts

248 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
All that technology and it will still be driven around the West End at 8mph.....

turbosei

204 posts

241 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
beigepants said:
All that technology and it will still be driven around the West End at 8mph.....


It's not homologated for the road...



This is fantastic!! Pay £1m for a car you can't drive on the road and essentially just to become part of Ferrari's test programme! If only other manufacturers were so open about their customers helping develop the car.

Not only will you help them collect data, you'll also collectively give them £20m - brilliant marketing.

The thing is they could sell all 20 many times over.

racefan_uk

2,935 posts

257 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
beigepants said:
All that technology and it will still be driven around the West End at 8mph.....


Err, track only car, which part of the article did you read? Or did you read it at all?

beigepants

33 posts

248 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
I glanced, I'm at work. F1 GTR stil found its way onto the road, as did the XJR 15.

errek72

943 posts

247 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
turbosei said:

Pay £1m for a car you can't drive on the road and essentially just to become part of Ferrari's test programme! If only other manufacturers were so open about their customers helping develop the car.


Now why did my brain just go 'TVR'?

Hilts

4,402 posts

283 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
Now that's what the standard Enzo should have looked more like. I didn't like the Enzo styling when it came out and still don't.

But this is an improvement, almost F40 stylesque rear end from the side profile. Still think the MC12 is awesome.

greg_D

6,542 posts

247 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
i really like that, much more cohesive than the original Enzo, one for the uber-tifosi only though, a million pound pissing contest if you will.

on reflection, sod it, if you have the money, why not

greg

rpguk

4,467 posts

285 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
I'm guessing there will be some people annoyed that they'll no longer own the ultimate Ferrari such a short time after buying their original Enzo.

Sounds like a clever idea to part people from money, but hey, if it leads to better Ferrari's in the future who am I to complain.

kingb

1,153 posts

227 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
how can you possible mock this car

OK so its only available to the super rich but it is the top of the range car from one of the all time ultimate maunfacturers.

Would any actually say no to owning one or driving one?

In my opinion this is the new ultimate dream car.

MarkoTVR

1,139 posts

235 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
racefan_uk said:
Err, track only car, which part of the article did you read? Or did you read it at all?


Well, going only by the pictures, unless they create a new exhaust system and fit some rear lights in place of the old one, it won't be going near a road.

£1m seems a bit steep for a trackday car, but I guess if you've got the means to afford it, you probably won't care.

jjprestidge

12 posts

240 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
So, it's only able to be used on track and costs a fortune. Why wouldn't you just buy an F1 car from a few years ago, which will lap any track massively quicker, and save yourself at least half a million quid.

JP

Shackyb

7 posts

228 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
[quote=Hilts]Now that's what the standard Enzo should have looked more like. I didn't like the Enzo styling when it came out and still don't.

But this is an improvement, almost F40 stylesque rear end from the side profile. Still think the MC12 is awesome.



Gotta agree. Ferrari have taken the edge off the Enzo's ugly face with the F-40esque racer look. Made a marginally less ugly car...

I doubt i'd be too bothered by the FXX if i had the original Enzo seeing as its a track car and wont be on the streets.... I'd be more annoyed at myself for not buying a Carrera GT instead.

Thom

1,716 posts

248 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
So they will be grabbing £1m off people who will have to complete the development of a road car-derived racer they won't even be able to take on the road ?

Oops, I was just seeing things as a real life driver, sorry.

sevenGreen

23 posts

242 months

Thursday 16th June 2005
quotequote all
[quote=jjprestidge]So, it's only able to be used on track and costs a fortune. Why wouldn't you just buy an F1 car from a few years ago, which will lap any track massively quicker, and save yourself at least half a million quid.


Pretty good idea!