The Ferrari FXX

The Ferrari FXX is a race car developed as part of an unusual development program by automobile manufacturer Ferrari in Maranello, Italy. Production of the FXX began in 2005.

The car uses some technology developed from the Enzo and combines it with some all-new developments from Ferrari and some of the suppliers. However, the car is only a part of the overall program: customers pay £1.3 million ($2.5 million USD) but are only allowed to drive the car on special track days approved by Ferrari and after they drive the car they have to brief Ferrari on the car's performance. Michael Schumacher was given the last one (number 30) when he retired from Formula One racing at the end of 2006. Ferrari's sister company, Maserati, has developed a similar car, the MC12 Corsa.

Essentially an evolution of the Enzo, the FXX shares some components with its parent car, but significant portions are exclusive to the FXX.

The FXX's engine is based on the Enzo's but has been expanded to 6.3 L (6262 cc, 382.1 cu in) from 6 L (5988 cc, 365.4 cu in), and output has been boosted from 660 PS (651 hp/485.4 kW), as seen in the Enzo, to 812 PS (800.9 hp/597.2 kW) at 8,500 rpm.

The gearbox incorporates the latest developments from Ferrari's F1 program and has a shift time under 100 ms. The brake pads are upgraded compared to those on the Enzo. It does, however, retain the Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite discs found on the Enzo.

The tyres on the FXX are 19 inch slicks custom-developed for the car, though road-legal.

As with the Enzo, the seat and pedal configuration are custom fit to the user's exact measurements.

The FXX features a comprehensive data-monitoring and telemetry that not only allows the driver to improve performance, but also provides Ferrari technicians with valuable data to improve the FXX and future road-going Ferraris.

Ferrari has built 30, originally 29 of these cars, and they have all been sold to preselected past Ferrari customers, except for one that Ferrari S.p.A. kept, including Ferrari's F1 World Champion driver, Michael Schumacher, the 30th. Schumacher's FXX differs from others in that it is the only black FXX without a stripe, it comes with red trim on the wheels, it has matte exhaust tips (regular FXX's have chrome tips), and his personal logo is stitched on the racing seats.

FXX owners also participate in Ferrari's testing and brand development programs. As the vehicle is not street-legal, owners have the option of storing the car at Ferrari's facilities. As part of the FXX program, the car is maintained by the Ferrari factory. The purpose of this particular program is to allow Ferrari's top customers exclusive access to its most up-to-date technology and to use their input to help develop future models. The FXX was reported to cost 1.5 million euro (excluding taxes), for the car and the services that Ferrari provides with it.

Specifications

Engine: Longitudinal, Mid-mounted, 75, naturally-aspirated aluminum V12
Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder with continuously variable timing
Fuel system: Bosch Motronic ME7 Sequential Electronic Injection
Horsepower Max: 800 hp (597 kW) at 8500 RPM
Specific Output: 127.75 PS (126 hp/94 kW) per litre
Drive system: RWD w/TCS
Construction: Carbon fiber body over carbon fiber tub with rear alloy subframe
Front brakes: Brembo CCM (carbon-ceramic) discs w/6-piston calipers, power assist ABS
Rear brakes: Brembo CCM (carbon-ceramic) discs w/4-piston calipers, power assist ABS
Front wheels: 483 mm (19 in) x 229 mm (9 in)
Rear wheels: 483 mm (19 in) x 330 mm (13 in)
Steering: Rack and pinion with power assist
Suspension: Double wishbones with push-rod actuated coil-shock units, adaptive dampers, electronic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
Wheelbase: 2650 mm (104.3 in)
Front track: 1660 mm (65.4 in)
Rear track: 1650 mm (65 in)
Rear view is provided by a roof mounted video camera displayed on a small inboard screen.
Top Speed: 217 mph (349 km/h)

FXX Evoluzione

The Ferrari FXX program will continue until 2008/2009. The car will continue to be improved under the Evolution kit, which will continually adjust specifics to create more power, change gearing, and remove drag. The V12 engine will be pushing out 860 PS (848 hp/633 kW) at 9500 rpm. There will be gearbox changes so that shift time will be reduced to 60 milliseconds per shift, a reduction of 20 milliseconds. The car will also undergo aerodynamic changes and improvements to the traction control system.