Autoblog

Following earlier reports, Ferrari unveiled a new, modified version of the super-Enzo during this past weekend's Ferrari World Finals at its Mugello race track in Italy. As the name suggests, FXX Evoluzione is a further evolution of the FXX program that places "client test drivers" (i.e. obscenely wealthy Ferrari aficionados playing Schumacher) behind the wheel of developmental test beds to try out new equipment for Ferrari. In fact, Schumacher himself was reportedly on hand to unveil the car, having sporadically participated in the program over the past two years.

The FXX Evoluzione picks up where the "ordinary" FXX program left off, extending the program by an additional two years, based on an even more radical version of the track-only machine. With 35,000 kilometers worth of telemetry from the 20 cars, engineers compiled a series of tweaks to sharpen the car's capabilities. Output is boosted to a staggering 860 HP, redline is up to a shrieking 9,500 rpm, and shift times are down to a lightning-fast 60 milliseconds. The traction control system has been modified to be less invasive, more adaptable and can be adjusted in-cockpit on the fly between nine distinct settings from corner to corner. Suspension geometry has been modified, as has the aerodynamic package, which, along with fresh livery, accounts for a slightly different appearance compared to the previous version.

The result of all these and a few other small modifications (which you can read about in detail in the press release after the jump) means that the FXX Evoluzione can now lap the company's private Fiorano test track two seconds faster than its predecessor at 1 min 16 sec. The kit can be retrofitted to any of the 20 FXXs that took place in the program until now, and includes participation in a renewed program that will take these most extreme machines to two events each in North America, Europe and Asia (for a total of eight track events) each year over the next two years. Money may not be able to buy you happiness, but it can buy you a seat as a Ferrari test driver, which sounds like happiness to us.

[Source: Ferrari]

Gallery: Ferrari FXX Evoluzione

http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Schumacher_to_present_the_new_Ferrari_FXX_Evoluzione_this_weekendReports are circulating in the Italian motoring press that Ferrari is preparing to show a significantly reworked FXX Evoluzione. The development car is reportedly being unveiled by none other than Michael Schumacher next weekend at the company's Mugello circuit in Italy in conjunction with the final stage of the Ferrari Challenge series. Also taking to the track will be an anticipated 34 retired F1 cars of various eras from the company's F1 Clienti program as well as the FXX program.

The FXX itself is, of course, an evolution of the Enzo supercar, which gives selected clients a chance to participate in the testing and development of new features and components for Ferrari road cars. It's essentially a rolling test bed, with new parts being tacked on all the time. The FXX Evoluzione, then, must be a significant step forward to warrant the new nomenclature, and sources suggest it will benefit from new aerodynamic elements, a new traction control system using applied experience from F1, and a power hike to 850 HP. Like the incremental modifications the FXX has undertaken to date as part of the ongoing program, the Evoluzione package is expected to be retrofitted to the existing cars.

[Source: Autosprint magazine via Autoblog.it]