It’s almost that time again, time for a new flagship Ferrari model. Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa has confirmed the Ferrari Enzo successor will continue to showcase a mid-mounted V12 layout built inside a carbon fibre chassis.
As previously reported, Ferrari is yet to release a name for the Ferrari ‘F70’ Enzo successor, but the company has confirmed the Enzo replacement will be unveiled towards the end of 2012.
From what’s been said by two of Ferrari’s biggest decision-makers – CEO Amedeo Felisa and chairman Luca di Montezemolo – the new Ferrari Enzo will feature a mid-mounted V12 engine paired with a lightweight carbon fibre chassis, just like the Ferrari F50 and Ferrari Enzo.
Keeping up with ever-tightening emissions regulations, the new Ferrari Enzo may also feature a hybrid drive system of some kind. Whether this be in the form of a KERS regenerative braking technology system like what is used on the company’s F1 cars, or a normal battery-powered electric motor system is still unclear.
Unlike other more mainstream models in the Ferrari lineup, the Ferrari Enzo successor will use a carbon fibre chassis. Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa says that a carbon chassis is essential for a low-production model. Felisa said in a recent Autocar report,
“For a small volume car such as the Enzo where the focus is on the minimum weight possible it is the correct solution.”
However, Felisa says that the carbon design is not suitable for mainstream cars,
“The weight benefits compared with an aluminium chassis [such as the 458’s] are very small and the costs are huge. In the event of an accident, it is also very difficult to identify whether the chassis has been damaged.”
As for the styling, it’s anyone’s guess really, although many critics predict at least some of the design of the new Ferrari Enzo successor could take inspiration from the Millechili concept (pictured).
We’ll keep you updated with all the previews and details as they come.
