Overview
Ferrari's new Gran Turismo derives from more than 50 years of success and technology from Formula One. The Enzo is one of a small number of road cars that also includes the 288GTO, F40, and F50 and is named in honor of the company's founder. These vehicles showcase Ferrari's ongoing quest to build the most luxurious and cutting-edge road vehicle.
Branding technology from racing into road vehicles is not a novel concept, especially for Ferrari. Ferrari's road and racing cars were essentially the same up until the late 1950s. Since then, safety standards, manufacturing costs, and practicality have clearly distinguished the vehicles we race from those we use for daily transportation. Enzo's mission was to close this gap.
According to Luca de Montezemolo, "To bring together our racing success and the essential function of races, I decided that this car, which represents the pinnacle of our technology, should be dedicated to the founder of the company, who always believed racing should serve as the basis for our road car designs."
The Enzo was created at Maranello using a plethora of Ferrari talent and tested by Michael Schumacher and Dario Benuzzi around Fiorano. The idea, which cost Ferrari 20 million euros to create, was known as the FX internally.
Four hundred of the 350 Enzos that were initially produced were made in either red, yellow, or black, or a custom color if the customer's relationship with the company was strong enough. The additional fifty vehicles brought Ferrari USD 28.8 million (24.4 million EUR), with each vehicle selling for a profit of USD 554.00 (487.700 EUR). With these numbers, Ferrari has demonstrated that not only can they sell $50,000 vehicles, but they can also make a sizable profit from them.
Ferrari Enzo: Ferrari's largest engine- The F140 V12.
The Enzo is built on technology with a racing theme. As a result, the chassis is made of rigid tubs made of carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb panels. At the center of the chassis is an all-new, twelve-cylinder engine called the F140. At two points, the engine is attached to an alloy sub-frame that contains vibration from leaking into the passenger compartment. With this sub-frame, the Enzo is particularly unlike the F50 and unlike Formula One cars.
Only the Can-Am engines are larger than the F140, which is one of Ferrari's biggest engines. The Enzo can produce a considerable amount of torque thanks to its huge displacement, notably 137 ft-lbs (186 nm) more torque than the F50 at 1000 rpm sooner. Despite the engine's huge displacement, numerous variable systems allow it to produce 110 horsepower per liter.
Highlights of the F140 engine include a continuously variable intake manifold and variable valve timing, both of which were directly lifted from innovations in Formula One. These features, which had never been integrated on a road car before the Enzo, enhance fuel efficiency and torque all through the rev range.
Ferrari Enzo: Transmission
The transmission unit, which is connected to the engine, also includes an oil tank, a bevel gear, and a differential. The clutch and gear shifts are automatically initiated by an electrohydraulic system. This gearbox is a road-legal Ferrari V12's first semi-automatic configuration. It can shift gears in sport mode in about 90 milliseconds and in 150 milliseconds thanks to developments from Formula One.
When an upshift is required, the driver is alerted by four lights on top of the steering wheel. Two paddles are located behind the steering wheel and are used to change gears. There isn't a totally automatic choice available.
Ferrari Enzo: Ingrained electronics
Numerous inbuilt technological technologies, created by Ferrari Gestione Sportiva (Ferrari Sport Management), enhance the driver's comfort in the Enzo. A central computer coordinates the engine, suspension, gearbox, and aerodynamic subsystems to maximize performance and safety. Depending on the mode the driver chooses from the steering wheel, these subsystems will behave differently and communicate differently.
Sport, Race, and No ASR are the three different control modes available on the Enzo. These options mainly alter the traction control, electrohydraulic shifting, and active damping settings. The driver has the option to use Launch Control, which was taken over from Formula One, in No ASR mode, the most aggressive setting.
The ASR, Ferrari's fancy name for traction control, is receiving a lot of attention. To ensure a high level of stability during powerful cornering forces, the ASR primarily collaborates with the ABS. Only drivers like Benuzzi and Schumacher benefit from turning off the ASR since it is so technologically advanced.
All test drives during the press preview at Fiorano had to be conducted with the ASR activated. Despite this, Tiff Needell of 5th Gear quickly turned it off, emphasizing his point with the words "I can't drive a Ferrari with that on" followed by "now the Ferrari is alive." Tiff obtained the best time of the day, but she still lagged Benuzzi by more than four seconds.
Ferrari Enzo: Exertive suspension
The Enzo uses a system of continuously regulated electronic dampers, as first seen on 575. With the help of this active damping, the Enzo can provide a smooth ride in sport mode or a stiff suspension in race modes. Internal proportional valves in the dampers are continuously adjusted to make them work.
Enzo's braking system, which was created in collaboration with Brembo, has exceptional stopping force. The fifteen-inch carbon-ceramic brake discs on all four wheels are less temperature-sensitive than those used in Formula One, which only function properly when extremely hot.
The application of a composite disc to a Ferrari road car was made possible by the carbon-ceramic brakes. When compared to traditional steel discs, the technique saves 27 lbs (12.5 kg) of unsprung weight. Corrosion resistance is another benefit of the CCM material.
Ferrari Enzo: Aerodynamics and styling of Pininfarina
A close partnership between Pininfarina and Ferrari dates back to the 1951 212 Inter Barchetta. Since then, Pininfarina has created the majority of Ferraris for the open road, including the Enzo, which features their most avant-garde design to date.
Pininfarina's design mixes intricate detail with a precise, well-proportioned overall form. The outside of the Enzo has angular lines that interpret the Formula One nose, from which it got its technology. These design innovations in styling cues will be imitated by Ferraris and supercars of the future alike.
The F40 and F50 that came before it had rear wings, but the Enzo does not. The car's rear underbody, which has two sizable diffusers, allowed for the lack of the rear wing. These diffusers produce enough downforce to take the place of a rear wing with a lot of drag.
Additional active aerodynamics aid in Enzo's stability maintenance at all speeds. Both a front flap and a rear spoiler can be adjusted to accommodate big loads or fast speeds. The Enzo can reach a top speed of 217 mph (350 kph) by reducing its downforce from 1709 pounds (775 kg) to 1290 lbs (585 kg) above 186 mph (300 kph).
The Enzo commemorates triumphs for Ferrari at a time of significant success, including four straight F1 titles. The semi-automatic, six-speed transmission and Pininfarina style have their roots in motor competition. This limited series bearing his name would undoubtedly make Enzo Ferrari the happiest man in the world.
Ferrari Enzo: Pricing
The Ferrari Enzo, no longer in production since its run from 2002 to 2004, boasts a price tag that reflects its exclusivity. While the original MSRP is difficult to pinpoint, expect a hefty sum in the hundreds of thousands. In today's market, prepare to shell out an average of $3.4 million USD for a used Enzo, with the price fluctuating based on the car's condition and mileage.
Ferrari Enzo: Rating
The Ferrari Enzo is generally considered an iconic and high-performing car, but ratings can vary depending on the source and what aspects are being rated. Here's a breakdown:
Performance: Praised for its speed, handling, and downforce generation. Ferrari Enzo Scores high marks, like 8/10 or 9/10, in this area.
Looks: A more subjective area. Some adore the aggressive design, while others find it too flashy. Reviews range from 8/10 to 9/10.
Features: Being a high-performance machine, the Enzo prioritizes performance over comfort features. Ratings here might be around 8/10.
Quality: With Ferrari's reputation for craftsmanship, the Enzo is generally considered exceptionally well-made, likely scoring high marks like 9/10.
Overall, the Ferrari Enzo is a highly regarded supercar, especially for its performance and handling.
The Conclusion
The Enzo was built with compromises for the driver's comfort, unlike the Ferrari F50. Fortunately, Ferrari has utilized enough active technologies so the driver can modify the amount of comfort. Enzo's uniqueness is a result of its advanced electronics, which are built around Ferrari's best road-legal engine.