Enzo Ferrari

The Enzo Ferrari is a 12 cylinder mid-engine berlinetta named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It is currently one of the most powerful naturally aspirated production cars.^{[citation needed]} It was built in 2002 usingFormula One technology, such as a carbon-fibre body, F1-style sequential shift transmission, and Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite disc brakes. Also used are technologies not allowed in F1 such as active aerodynamics and traction control. After a downforce of 775 kg (1,709 lb) is reached at 348.8 km/h (217 mph) the rear wing is actuated by computer to maintain that downforce.

The Enzo's V12 engine is the first of a new generation for Ferrari. It is based on the architecture of the V8 found in sister-company Maserati's Quattroporte, using the same basic architecture and 104 mm (4.1 in) bore spacing. This design will replace the former architectures seen in V12 and V8 engines used in most other contemporary Ferraris. The 2005 F430 is the second Ferrari to get a version of this new powerplant.

In 2004, Sports Car International named the Enzo Ferrari number three on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 2000s.

Motor Trend Classic named the Enzo as number four in their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

Engine

Main article: Ferrari Dino engine#V12

The Enzo is a mid-engined car with a 43.9/56.1 front/rear weight distribution. The engine is Ferrari's F140 65° V12 with 4 valves per cylinder, dual overhead cams and variable valve timing. Bosch Motronic ME7 fuel injection is used and the engine is naturally aspirated. It displaces 5998 cc (366 in³) and produces 485 kW (651 hp/660 PS) at 7800 rpm and 657 N·m (485 [ft·lbf of torque]) at 5500 rpm.^[6] The redline is 8000 rpm. The Enzo achieves 15 MPG, whereas the McLaren F1, one of the Enzo's main rivals, achieves 6 MPG.^[7]

Chassis

The Enzo has a semi-automatic transmission (also known as the F1 gearbox) using paddles to control an automated shifting and clutch mechanism, with LED lights on the steering wheel telling the driver when to change gears. The gearbox has a shift time of just 150 milliseconds. The transmission was a first generation "clutchless" design from the late 1990s, and there have been complaints about its abrupt shifting.^[6][8]

The Enzo Ferrari has 4 wheel independent suspension with push-rod actuated shock absorbers which can be adjusted from the cabin, complemented with anti-roll bars at the front and rear.^[9]

The Enzo uses 483-millimetre (19 in) wheels and has 381-millimetre (15 in) Brembo disc brakes.

Performance

The Enzo can accelerate to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.14 seconds^[10] and can reach 100 mph (160 km/h) in 6.6 seconds.^[6] The ¼ mile (~400 m) time is from 10.8 to 11.2 sec at well over 130 mph (210 km/h) and the top speed is around 355 kilometers per hour (221 mph).^[11] It is rated at 12 miles per US gallon (20 L/100 km; 14 mpg_-imp) in the city and 18 miles per US gallon (13 L/100 km; 22 mpg_-imp) on the highway.

Despite the Enzo's extraordinary performance and price, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia (an improved version of Ferrari's current mid-range production car) is capable of lapping the Ferrari test track just as quickly as the Enzo.^[12]

Evo magazine tested the Enzo on the famed Nordschleife Circuit and ran a 7:25.21 lap time.