As fuel economy pressures on supercar makers grow, Ferrari has no intention of squelching its line of ultra-extreme supercars. In the same month the 599GTO launched, Ferrari confirmed a limited edition “New Enzo” in 2012 and a 458 Scuderia in 2013.
The all-new unit will feature direct gas injection and push out somewhere north of 700 horsepower. Engineers already are at work on the engine’s sound, conscious that turbos usually dull the note.
The transmission is a super-fast seven-speed sequential manual. We understand Ferrari will switch to a dual-clutch for this automated manual, rather than the single-clutch it uses on its Grand Prix cars, despite the lightness and competition heritage of the single-clutch.
The design will draw heavily on the company’s recent research into active aerodynamics, as seen on the FXX and 599XX. Ferrari will further develop the amazing chassis-control electronic systems those cars use, for the Enzo successor, meaning that, even with a skilled driver at the wheel, it will do faster laps with the stability controls engaged than when disengaged.
Ferrari CEO Amadeo Felisa has also said a carbon-fiber structure is the right thing for the “New Enzo,” even though he stoutly defends aluminum as the material of choice for the company’s higher-volume models. His engineers still have new tricks to make aluminum cars lighter and stronger. And they’ll be more durable than carbon cars such as the range from rival McLaren. Of course, Ferrari has invested enormously in aluminum production facilities, so it’s not just a question of what makes the best car; it’s also a financial and industrial question.
So the 458 Scuderia will retain the aluminum tub and skin of the existing 458, but use carbon for some skin parts, and lightened chassis components with exotic metals such as titanium. This car is confirmed for launch in 2013, as part of Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne’s business plan presented to investors.
