The next big thing to come from Ferrari will be the much-anticipated successor to the Italian firm's flagship model, the Enzo, which will be revealed before the end of 2012. The news comes straight from the mouth of Ferrar CEO Amedeo Felisa speaking to journalists during the launch of the new 458 Italia Spyder.
Felisa also told British magazine Autocar that theEnzo's replacement will continue to use a mid-mounted V12 engine and that the company is considering the use of hybrid technology: “Ferrari is testing hybrid prototypes.”
The Ferrari CEO was quick to point out that any hybrid system employed on the firm's supercars “must focus on improving efficiency and not just be about performance”.
Asked about the use of lightweight but super-strong carbon composite materials in the construction of its cars, Felisa said: “For a small volume car such as the Enzo where the focus is on the minimum weight possible it is the correct solution."
However, unlike McLaren and its MP4-12C, the Ferrari executive noted the Italian company will not manufacture regular production models like the 458 with carbon composite materials: “Today it does not make sense,” said Felisa. “The weight benefits compared with an aluminium chassis [like 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.”
Story References: Autocar
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