Internally codenamed F70, Ferrari’s successor to the Enzo is slated to be lighter, faster and even more focused and visceral than its predecessor.
Much of the new car’s development is being shaped around the 2007 Millechili concept and the company’s FXX scheme, the latter making use of a limited number of utilizing stripped-down track-only Enzos to further research lightweight materials and drivetrain calibration. The Millechili, whilst only a fiberglass mock-up, was the firm’s attempt to increase performance by reducing weight and not bumping up the power output. The Millechili, which is Italian for ‘1 000 kg’ could also hint at the projected kerb weight of the new model, although stripping a further 365 kg from the already-light Enzo could be a tall order.
In addition to being quicker and more focused than the outgoing model, the F70 is also slated to be a lot lighter and more fuel efficient – thanks, in part, to the rumoured development of a direct-injection twin-turbo V8 powerplant developing in the region of 480 kW. If this is the case, the F70 will become the first production Ferrari to utilize turbochargers since the iconic F40.
The move towards reduced weight in the bid for better performance has not been lost on Ferrari’s competitors. McLaren’s new MP4-12C utilizes an F1-inspired carbon-fibre tub as part of the car’s underpinnings, as well as the extensive use of carbon-fibre in much of the bodywork. Ferrari’s newcomer will try to gain parity with the McLaren by also adopting a smaller carbon-fibre tub, carbon-ceramic brake, carbon-fibre panels, a stripped-out cabin and a host of aerodynamic aids.
This weight-saving, coupled with a powerful new engine is expected to enable the F70 to crack 0-100 km/h in around 3,0 seconds on the way to a top speed in excess of 370 km/h when its limited run of just 399 units go on sale in 2012.
