Autoblog

Montezemolo confirms new Ferrari Enzo hybrid by year's end

Noah Joseph — Fri, 11 May 2012 16:18:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Earnings/Financials, Ferrari

Business has been good for Ferrari. Thanks in no small part to expanding its activities in developing markets, the racing team turned automaker raked in 556 million euros in revenues to generate 42.1 million euros in profit in the first quarter of this year alone - an increase of 13.2 and 17.2 percent, respectively. Those figures are driven by increased sales that amounted to 1,733 units produced and delivered in the first quarter out of an exciting model range that includes the 458 Italia and Spider, the recently revised California, the innovative FF and the brand-new F12 Berlinetta. But the House that Enzo built is not about to stop there.

Buried deep within the company's financial report (which you can delve into after below the fold should you be so inclined) comes confirmation direct from the company's affable chairman (and possible next Italian prime minister) Luca di Montezemolo: "At the end of the year, we'll also be unveiling the new Enzo, a limited series model and our first ever hybrid car."

So there we have it, straight from the proverbial lion's mouth and in no uncertain terms. Before we flip the calendar to 2013, we'll have the latest in the long line of earth-shattering supercars that started with the 288 GTO, continued with the legendary F40, through the open-top F50 and on to the radical Enzo. And yes, it will be a hybrid, coupling an electric motor to a revised version of the V12 in the new F12 Berlinetta, as Ferrari revealed at the Beijing Motor Show.

Continue reading Montezemolo confirms new Ferrari Enzo hybrid by year's end

Montezemolo confirms new Ferrari Enzo hybrid by year's end originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 May 2012 16:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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"Abandoned" $1M Ferrari Enzo not up for sale after all?

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:45:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Government/Legal, Ferrari, Middle East, Luxury

Remember that Ferrari Enzo that is still sitting in a Dubai police impound lot for "reasons that have never been clear"? It was meant to be auctioned this week, but it wasn't, and the Dubai authorities added some information to the Enzo's backstory that boils down one word: Interpol.

Unpaid traffic fines are thought to have lead to a British businessman abandoning the seven-figure Ferrari almost two years ago. After numerous reports of the Enzo being headed to auction - which lead to numerous calls from big spenders trying to buy it outright, Dubai police said the Prancing Horse is on the notice list at the International Criminal Police Organization. Vehicles flagged by Interpol are said to usually be the subject of theft investigations, and according to Emirates 24|7, the police commander says the Enzo and nine other flashy rides were "seized as they were part of thefts."

That means that the next time you see pictures of the mummified Ferrari, you'll know why it's still there and not up for auction. And seeing how long international criminal cases can take to resolve, you'll know why it's probably going to be there for a while.

"Abandoned" $1M Ferrari Enzo not up for sale after all? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Abandoned Ferrari Enzo to be auctioned in Dubai

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Etc., Ferrari, Middle East, Luxury

Based on the cars that usually feature in the videos we get from Dubai, we can't really call the tale of this Ferrari Enzo that outrageous. Pictures of the dusty stallion have been zooming around the Internet while the real thing sat in a police impound lot for reasons that have never been clear - rumors ranged from it being hot goods in transit to China, to a casualty of the authorities for having been caught doing insane speeds on the Emirates Road.

According to a story in the Daily Mail, the truth is a bit more prosaic: the owner was a British businessman who couldn't pay traffic fines and who knows what else almost two years ago, so he abandoned the limited-edition thoroughbred to its fate. The police are going to send it to auction with 128 other vehicles, 23 of which are other luxury vehicles that were each burdened with fines anywhere from $26,761 to $27,225.

Most of the auction fodder was owned by companies; only 18 were individually owned. The auction is expected to be the biggest Dubai has ever held, but folks who bid on the Enzo should read the terms carefully: we can't see anyone abandoning million-dollar car for a $27,000 fine, so there's likely another payout lurking somewhere in order to take ownership. In addition to the cleaning bill.

Abandoned Ferrari Enzo to be auctioned in Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Apr 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari previews Enzo successor's V12 HY-KERS powertrain [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:01:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, Technology, Videos, Ferrari, Beijing Motor Show

Go back just a few years ago, and you'd easily conclude that Ferrari and hybrids would go together about as well as ice cream and pickles. But a lot's changed since then, and Ferrari is making no secret of the fact that it's developing hybrid powertrains of its own.

The first system it developed is the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, a type of regenerative braking device developed with its sister company, Magneti Marelli, for use in Formula One. That lead to a similar system installed in an experimental version of the 599 called the HY-KERS concept displayed at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. More recently reports surfaced that Ferrari had patented a more conventional hybrid powertrain system, leading to speculation that the KERS type had been abandoned for road-car use - most poignantly in the upcoming successor to the Enzo. But while Ferrari apparently pursues development of that more conventional hybrid system, it appears that its next mid-engined V12 hypercar will adopt an evolution of the HY-KERS system displayed on that green 599 two years back.

A revised HY-KERS system has just been announced by Ferrari at the Beijing Motor Show, where the Prancing Horse also marked the Asian debut of its new F12 Berlinetta. Ferrari says the new system - installed on a V12 engine mounted amidship - is more effective than the one that preceded it, bringing emissions down to 40 percent of what a conventional engine with the same output would produce (compared to a 30 percent reduction from the previous incarnation), all while bringing engineers closer to their target of producing one kilowatt of energy for every kilogram of weight the system adds.

As for the F12, Ferrari has revealed that its latest supercar set a lap time at Fiorano of one minute, 23 seconds, making it the company's quickest road car yet: a full second quicker than the 599 GTO it replaces, and about two seconds quicker than the Enzo, the 458 Italia and the 430 Scuderia. With that kind of progress, we can count on the new hybrid V12 hypercar to set an even quicker time still. Scroll down for the press release and video clip.

Continue reading Ferrari previews Enzo successor's V12 HY-KERS powertrain [w/video]

Ferrari previews Enzo successor's V12 HY-KERS powertrain [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari Enzo successor had better look better than this test mule

Noah Joseph — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Ferrari

The arrival of any new Ferrari is bound to be anticipated eagerly by legions of fans around the world, but few more keenly than the successor to the famed Enzo.

Following in a line that dates back to the 288 GTO, through the F40, the F50 and most recently the Enzo, the new top-of-the-line hypercar from Maranello is now well on the road to readiness. We're told to expect its arrival in less than a year from now at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, but while endless speculation has filled the void until now, we've now got our first batch of spy shots showing - to some extent, anyway - what Ferrari is working on.

While the widened 458 test mule in these spy shots is wearing a hideously humorous hodgepodge of sheetmetal and body cladding evidently thrown together in a back room in Maranello (with the lights off), we're told this is not an actual prototype for the Enzo successor - sure to wear a different name, but referred to internally as project F70 - but rather a rolling test bed for components that will make up the finished product.

That is expected to include an uprated (and backwards-turned) version of Ferrari's new 6.2-liter V12 from the F12 Berlinetta, producing more power and augmented by a hybrid electric assist. Despite the added hybrid bigs, the F70 is still said to be light in weight, and it will be sent gunning for the Bugatti Veyron with a targeted 0-60 run in under 2.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 250 mph.

Ferrari Enzo successor had better look better than this test mule originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari to show Enzo successor to potential buyers before end of year

Chris Tutor — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari

Imagine you just bought the fastest, most powerful road-legal Ferrari ever. Your F12 Berlinetta has 740 horses and does 0-62 mph in just over three seconds. You're on top of the world!

Enjoy your seat at the pinnacle of Maranello motoring while you can, because you'll soon be relegated to the slow lane. There's a bigger, badder Ferrari in the works. And if you already own a Berlinetta, chances are good you'll be invited sometime before the end of 2012 to a private showing of Ferrari's replacement for the legendary Enzo.

Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo tells Automotive News Europe that their next supercar will not be called Enzo, but will be worthy successor that packs a carbon fiber body and a big ol' V12.

"The F12 Berlinetta delivers 740 hp and today's Formula One cars have between 740 hp and 750 hp," Montezemolo said. "Thus we are offering F1 power in a road car."

We've heard the neo-Enzo have as much as 920 horsepower. Not too many other details were revealed in the interview except for...

"We want to surprise people not just in terms of price but also with the car itself," Montezemolo said. Which we take to mean the next ultimate Ferrari will be free. But probably not.

The general public will probably get its first glimpse of the Enzo replacement either at next January's Detroit Auto Show or the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next March. Oh, the anticipation!

Ferrari to show Enzo successor to potential buyers before end of year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari Enzo successor to churn out 920 horsepower, weigh 2,500 pounds

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:03:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Luxury

A year-and-a-half-ago we heard that the model to replace the Ferrari Enzo was peeking over the fence at the Bugatti Veyron for inspiration. Then we heard, nearly one year ago, that this Ferrari would also be a hybrid. Add those two ingredients to a 7.3-liter V12 and stir in Ferrari's talk of light weight, and the resulting supercar will be a 920-peak-horsepower celestial stallion that weighs just 2,500 pounds, according to a report in Automobile.

The V12 will be responsible for 800 of those horses, 100 more than the 599 replacement, the F620, that will use a 6.2-liter version of the same V12 and that we'll see at the Geneva Motor Show in early March. The supplemental 120 hp will be provided by a KERS hybrid setup.

The carbon fiber body is expected to hold largesse down to around 2,500 pounds, which - if all of these numbers come true - would mean a supercar that weighs 500 pounds less than 651-hp Enzo, and about the same as the 2,546-pound, track-only FXX, but that has about 100 more ponies. If all goes to plan we'll see it in the fall - until it starts moving, at least, when we'll just have to listen for the sonic booms.

Ferrari Enzo successor to churn out 920 horsepower, weigh 2,500 pounds originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Crashed Ferrari Enzo to lead 20-car return to Targa Newfoundland [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ferrari, Canada

Newfoundland is a bit of a funny place. It's the easternmost point of the North American continent, has its own half time zone, was the last province to join Canadian confederation (having existed as a British colony until 1949) and has its own linguistic dialects. It's also the kind of place where you can fail upwards, it seems. Particularly when driving a customized Ferrari Enzo.

You may recall the story of one Zahir Rana, a Kenyan-born exotic car dealer and enthusiast based in Calgary, Alberta, who took his Edo-modified Enzo to the 2011 Targa Newfoundland rally and promptly drove it right off the road and into a tidal river on the Atlantic coast. (If you missed the story, you can watch the video footage right here after the jump.) Some $100,000 in damage was reportedly caused to the million-dollar supercar - though we wouldn't be surprised it the final figure were substantially more - but that hasn't deterred Rana, or his friends, from returning.

Having lived to tell the tale of his epic crash, Rana has had his Enzo's engine further tuned to 950 horsepower, and is reportedly planning to bring it back for the 2012 Targa Newfoundland... along with 20 of the friends and clients he has amassed from over a decade in the business. Which strikes us as a particularly headstrong and determined way to get back on the prancing horse, so long as this year's rally goes a little more smoothly for Team ZR Exotics.

Continue reading Crashed Ferrari Enzo to lead 20-car return to Targa Newfoundland [w/video]

Crashed Ferrari Enzo to lead 20-car return to Targa Newfoundland [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari Enzo successor powered by V12 hybrid, next 599 to get 700+ hp

Zach Bowman — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Technology, Ferrari, Luxury

Ferrari has rolled out a few tasty bits of news courtesy of Car and Driver. The Italian sports car manufacturer has made it clear that the successor to the legendary Enzo will come to the party packing a V12 engine mated to a hybrid system. While Ferrari has already hinted that the company is seriously considering electrification with concepts like the 599 HY-KERS, CEO Amedeo Felisa said that a production Ferrari hybrid would have to include some sort of efficiency-boosting system in addition to a performance adder like a kinetic energy recovery system.

Felisa also said that the replacement for the company's 599 will feature somewhere around 700 horsepower. The machine will keep its front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout, but will rely on aluminum alloys for its body structure instead of carbon fiber. Felisa says that the absurd power in the future 599 is not a response to the Lamborghini Aventador, however.

Uh huh.

Ferrari Enzo successor powered by V12 hybrid, next 599 to get 700+ hp originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Submarine Ferrari Enzo heads to Edo Competion by air mail

Zach Bowman — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Ferrari, Celebrities, Canada, Luxury, Racing

If, like the rest of us, you were wondering exactly what would become of the bright yellow Ferrari Enzo that took a dive into the bay at the 2011 Targa Newfoundland, wonder no more. According to the owner's Facebook page, the carbon-fiber beast will ride again courtesy of the good people at Edo Competition. ZR Auto has packed the Prancing Horse into an air freight crate for a quick hop across the the pond in a 747. Judging from the photos, the vehicle only suffered slight aesthetic damage on the front right corner after smashing through a wooden walkway. The owner also took quick action to begin disassembling the dash to hose everything down with WD40 to displace any sneaky salt water that could cause problems later.

What does Edo Competition have planned for the Enzo? There's no telling, but we'd guess that even more power is likely part of the recipe. Owner Zahir Rana has already hinted at returning to Race the Base in 2012 with even more power on tap. Thanks for the tip, Keith!

Submarine Ferrari Enzo heads to Edo Competion by air mail originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Watch this Ferrari Enzo splash into the Atlantic at 2011 Targa Newfoundland

Daniel Ponzini — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Kia, Ferrari

Many of you have been following the 2011 Targa Newfoundland here on Autoblog, what with our own Zach Bowman competing. Perhaps you were surprised to find out that rare supercars like a Maserati MC12 and a Ferrari Enzo had entered the demanding race.

Unfortunately, the Enzo has bowed out early after taking a turn for the worse when it lost control and dove into the Atlantic Ocean off a coastal road. The Enzo was piloted (and owned) by Zahir Rana, who also owns ZR Auto exotic car dealership. Ferrari produced 400 Enzos, and of them, Rana's was one of the fastest that road-legal after being modified to similar specifications as an FXX. It was tuned in Germany to deliver a bewildering 850 horsepower and held a 0-60 mph time of 2.8 seconds.

We were able to get a few quick glimpses of the Enzo with Rana and his navigator, Roland Linder, heading for the ocean thanks to Kia Canada. Kia is also entered in the race and was waiting in anticipation for their Forte Koup to come around the same bend in the road.

Rana has posted a video, which you can find after the jump, that clearly states his disappointment, but also his reasoning and reflection on what happened. He definitely has the right mindset, explaining how things like this happen in racing and he is lucky that he and his teammate were left unscathed in the incident. He also makes a point to sadly say, "It's only a car, it's not a big deal."

We agree wholeheartedly with Rana, but by the same token, having the incident happen to a car currently valued at $1.5 million is like throwing salt on the wound of enthusiasts and car insurance adjusters everywhere.

Follow the jump to see the devastating video of Rana's Enzo coming down a hill and landing in the ocean, along with a walk-around video of the car before the Targa Newfoundland began.

Continue reading Watch this Ferrari Enzo splash into the Atlantic at 2011 Targa Newfoundland

Watch this Ferrari Enzo splash into the Atlantic at 2011 Targa Newfoundland originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Flyin' Miata at Targa Newfoundland, Part 1: Meet your classmates

Zach Bowman — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Convertible, Mazda, Canada, Racing

While the 2011 Targa Newfoundland doesn't officially kick off until Monday, a handful of competitors have already arrived in St. John's to take advantage of the Open Road Motorsports Targa School. Operated by veterans of the event, the school gives novice competitors a little taste of the days to come. Glen Clarke, our instructor, routinely pilots a Porsche 911 to accolades and glory, so his word is worth pure gold to our motley crew. Over the course of eight hours, the Grand Touring Flyin' Miata team was introduced to the basics of navigation, ran a trial stage and generally sorted the roles of driver and co-pilot.

Our class included targa competitors from years past as well as newcomers like ourselves, including racers piloting a Ferrari Enzo, a delicious Porsche 914 and a completely sinister Audi 200 Avant Turbo AWD. A few additional racers have also set up camp at the local Holiday Inn, including a Maserati MC12, a Ferrari F430 Spyder, a Lamborghini Murciélago Super Veloce and a Saleen S7 from ZRAuto.ca. We can't wait to see how those bruisers fair on the demanding roads of Newfoundland.

Flyin' Miata at Targa Newfoundland, Part 1: Meet your classmates originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ferrari Enzo successor inspired by Bugatti Veyron

Chris Shunk — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:19:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari

We don't know a whole lot about Ferrari's successor to the iconic Enzo, but we can guess that the engineers in Maranello are working on something very powerful and extremely fast. After all, the Enzo packed a 6.0-liter V12 with 651 horsepower, so the next model has to carry a bit more bite, right?

If the folks at Autocar are correct, the Enzo may not be the bogey Ferrari has in mind. The UK scribes quote unnamed sources from Ferrari who say the Bugatti Veyron has helped shape what the next range-topping exotic will be.

The British site speculates that one option for powering the next top exotic to don the Prancing Horse could be powered by a twin-turbo V8. Would that be enough power to take on all comers? Consider that the 458 Italia manages 570 horsepower from a naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V8. Add a pair of turbochargers and squeezing out over 700 horsepower doesn't sound all that difficult. Those aren't Veyron numbers, but we'd assume that the Ferrari wouldn't be nearly as big or heavy, either.

Ferrari is reportedly looking to unleash the Enzo successor in the next year or two, and we're not likely to know much until that time. But at the same time, it's never too early to start dreaming of the next super Ferrari.

[Source: Autocar]

Report: Ferrari Enzo successor inspired by Bugatti Veyron originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Apr 2011 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Online Find of the Day: 2000 Ferrari Enzo mule

Noah Joseph — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Ferrari

Ferrari Enzo mule - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's not every day that a Ferrari mule comes up for sale, but that day, ladies and gentlemen, has arrived. What you see here may look like an old 348, maybe with some 355 components retrofitted. But what you're actually looking at is one of the mules that gave rise to the all-conquering Enzo supercar.

The car may wear modified 348 bodywork - disguising evaluation testers with existing sheetmetal is common practice in Maranello - but like so many things, it's what's inside that counts. And in this case, it's a 670-horsepower V12 derived from the Scuderia's Formula One racing program, but adapted for roadcar use and mated to a six-speed paddle-shift transmission.

Enamored of the Enzo's performance, but less so of its styling? This could be your once-in-a-lifetime chance. Think of it the same way as the 288 GTO was to the F40, only one-of-a-kind, and suddenly the Langenfeld, Germany dealer's 750,000 Euro (a cool $1M at today's rates) asking price doesn't seem quite so extravagant, though it's not much cheaper than a full-on factory Enzo. Have a closer look in the high-res image gallery below and then be sure to take a look at Modena Motorsport's website. Thanks for the tip, Juan Pablo!

Gallery: 2000 Ferrari Enzo Prototype

[Source: Modena Motorsport]

Online Find of the Day: 2000 Ferrari Enzo mule originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ferrari Enzo successor will be a hybrid

Zach Bowman — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:23:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Europe, Technology, Ferrari, Luxury

Ferrari 599 HY-KERS - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sorry, Ferrari purists, but even the mighty Prancing Horse isn't immune to the need to increase fuel economy. According to Autoweek, Ferrari Chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has confirmed that the successor to the Enzo throne will come equipped with a hybrid drivetrain. According to Montezemolo, the electrified supercar will borrow heavily from the company's 599 HY-KERS concept that debuted at this year's Geneva Motor Show. That vehicle used hybrid tech derived from the kinetic energy recovery system that Ferrari experimented with on its F1 vehicles.

Previously, Ferrari has said that the incorporation of a battery pack and an electric motor would allow the company to continue to offer high-cylinder-count engines while offsetting fuel consumption and emissions. The company has also made it clear that it intends to begin moving toward smaller models to further reduce weight.

The news came as Montezemolo announced that he has no intention of moving from his post at Ferrari to greener pastures in the Italian government. The chairman said that he fully intends to stay at the company long enough to help craft the vehicles in the next product cycle, each of which will follow in the footsteps of the Enzo successor.

Gallery: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS

[Source: Autoweek]

Report: Ferrari Enzo successor will be a hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wrecked Ferrari Enzo reborn as Bonneville Salt Flats racer?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Ferrari, Specialty

In a rebuilding job worthy of The Six Million Dollar Man, Richard Loosee's T-Top Ferrari Enzo destroyed in a 200-mile-per-hour shunt has been reborn to take on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Gone are the T-Tops, replaced by something just as outrageous: a set of turbos that will boost the Enzo's V12 to between 850 and 1,000 horsepower when gunning time comes. And they were able to repair and reuse the car's original block.

The wrecked stallion required an enormous amount of work, including repairing the carbon fiber hoop of the original tub which was fractured in the crash. The car is running during Speed Week at Bonneville, but details are still scarce. However, according to insiders on the project at Ferrari Chat, the powerplant is aided by two MoTeC M600 Engine Management Systems and Injector Dynamics ID1000 injectors. It also has a nosecone to keep the front end stable above 225 mph, a fitting match for those exhaust trumpets. Hat tips to Erik and Brandon

[Source: Daily Derbi]

Wrecked Ferrari Enzo reborn as Bonneville Salt Flats racer? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Aug 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motor Trend forecasts Ferrari 458 Scuderia, new Enzo

Noah Joseph — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Ferrari

Ferrari 458 Italia - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's been a lot of talk recently about new Ferraris slated to roll out of Maranello. Which makes sense, considering that its parents at Fiat are in the midst of a big product shake-up. But while previous reports foreshadowed replacements for the 599, 612 and Enzo - and even went as far as outlining the product life-cycle to be implemented across Ferrari's entire line - executives in Maranello have until now avoided any mention of a Scuderia version of the new 458.

And we could hardly blame them. After all, there aren't many better ways to kill off excitement for a brand-new supercar than talking about the better version in the pipeline. Motor Trend, however, claims to have it on good authority that a lighter-weight, more powerful version of the 458 Italia will arrive in 2013, taking up the position held by the outgoing 430 Scuderia and the 360 Challenge Stradale before it.

Unfortunately, not much else is known, other than to say that, while some body panels will be replaced by carbon fiber, Ferrari's intent on sticking with aluminum for its production models, rather than integrating the magic black weave into its mainstream offerings as some of its competitors are doing.

The Enzo's replacement, however, is not considered a mainstream production model. MT figures the twin-turbo, direct-injection V8 that will power the new flagship will produce upwards of 700 horsepower, driving through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and aided by all the latest electronic wizardry which Ferrari has cooked up in its F1 and XX development programs.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Italia

[Source: Motor Trend]

Motor Trend forecasts Ferrari 458 Scuderia, new Enzo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Four-year product lifecycles will allow Ferrari to unveil new model every year

Noah Joseph — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Ferrari

With the 458 Italia, Calfornia, 612 Scaglietti, 599 GTB Fiorano and numerous derivations thereof, Ferrari's juggling more distinct models than it has since the days of the 328, Mondial, 412 and Testarossa. So while updating its line-up on an ad-hoc basis has worked for the company previously, Maranello has now revealed a solid product life-cycle scheme that will see a new model revealed every year.

The plan calls for each model to live for eight years, with an updated version to arrive four years after a model's introduction. With four models in the range, that will allow Ferrari to debut an all-new or significantly updated core model every year. And that doesn't include introductions of convertible or lightweight Scuderia-style variants along the way, to say nothing of the limited-production Enzo-class supercars slated to top the range every ten years.

The news casts further light on the full-range updates which Ferrari revealed just a couple of months ago. On top of that, Ferrari reportedly confirms that, although the prices will remain similar, the replacements for the 612 and 599 will be further differentiated from each other. As for hybrids, Ferrari's got a few applications of its HY-KERS system in the pipeline, but it will take at least five years to bring them to market.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Report: Four-year product lifecycles will allow Ferrari to unveil new model every year originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari Boss Felisa: "Hybrid means we can protect the V12"

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Performance, Technology, Ferrari

Ferrari 599 HY-KERS - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the Eighties, you wanted your MTV. Now that you're a little older and a lot richer, you want your naturally aspirated V12 Italian cars, and both Ferrari and Lamborghini plan to deliver. The raging bulls at Sant' Agata are incorporating more lightweight materials into their cars in order to get over emissions hurdles, but Ferrari has different plans, likely including a road-going iteration of its kinetic energy recovery system, as seen fitted to its 599 HY-KERS concept car at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

According to Autocar's quote from Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, "Hybrid means we can protect the V12," suggesting Ferrari believes its unassisted 12-cylinder will live on. Autocar's theory is that the next Enzo could see its V12 paired with an electric motor to keep the government watchdogs happy. Of course, this contradicts Autocar's Ferrari piece from about ten days ago when, after speaking with Felisa, it wrote, "Felisa also hinted that the new Ferrari Enzo will be powered by a direct-injection twin-turbo V8 when it is launched in 2012."

It could be that Ferrari will use a naturally aspirated V12, only not in the Enzo - the F40 was a V8 while the Testarossa/512 received the big-engine treatment. Frankly, we're all for a hybrid Enzo, though. Provided they can keep the weight down, a silent supercar at low speeds with 600-plus horses that could bolt at a half-second's notice would make the most awesome getaway car ever.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS

Live Photos: Noah Joseph / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Autocar]

Ferrari Boss Felisa: "Hybrid means we can protect the V12" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 May 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari CEO: Back to twin-turbo V8 for next-gen Enzo

Noah Joseph — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Ferrari

What goes around comes around. Ferrari broke ground in the supercar sphere with the 288 GTO and F40, which both used twin-turbo V8 powertrains. The subsequent F50 and Enzo went with V12s, and the 599's mill was based off the Enzo's. But the next model in Ferrari's range-topping mid-engine exotic line will go back to the twin-spool eight-pot.

This directly from the company's chief executive Amedeo Felisa (pictured above with the new 458 Italia), speaking with Autocar magazine. Although a high-output, direct-injection, twin-turbo V6 bounced around the rumor mill, Felisa says no such plans are in place, as customers still look to cylinder count as an indicator of a car's capabilities. The CEO added that the implementation of hybrid technologies - as previewed in the 599 HY-KERS concept - will allow Maranello to continue offering high cylinder counts, including V8, V10 and V12 engines. This is especially interesting because, F1 cars aside, Ferrari has never made a road-going V10. Could be an indicator of things to come, or perhaps just a typo.

Felisa also spoke on the use of carbon fiber, saying that its implementation will, for the time being at least, remain limited to the Enzo stratosphere and not used in its production models. According to Felisa, "nobody today has a real understanding of what happens if you damage a carbonfibre structure." Given its decades of experience with the material in F1 and the hundreds of on-track crashes that it surely accumulated over the years, if Ferrari doesn't understand it, we struggle to imagine who does.

[Source: Autocar]

Ferrari CEO: Back to twin-turbo V8 for next-gen Enzo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 May 2010 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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