New Enzo confirmed

By Andrew English

14th May 2010

The new F70 is go! Ferrari has exclusively confirmed to Auto Express that it will definitely build the ultra-light carbon fibre supercar previewed by the 2007 Millechili (1,000kg) concept.

It could be on sale from as early as next year, and will use the 562bhp, mid-mounted V8 from the latest 458 Italia, with the likely addition of twin turbochargers. The newcomer will also borrow the aerodynamics and carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb body materials from the 2002 Enzo supercar.

“This model won’t be as big as the Enzo,” said Roberto Fedeli, Ferrari’s technical director, “more in line with the 328 or the old model [288] GTO. Theoretically, this is a practical car.” Weighing only one tonne, the F70 should top 200mph and sprint from 0-60mph in three seconds flat. It will be faster than the 458 but also, in line with the project’s emission-cutting aims, more economical. Combined fuel returns could be as high as 25mpg, and better than the 458’s 21.2mpg.

There’s no word on price, but expect it to be around £350,000.

The parallel development of a hybrid model – using Ferrari’s F1 Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), and previewed by the 599 HY-KERS set-up at March’s Geneva Motor Show – is causing some technical headaches. “The most important thing is to lose weight,” said Fedeli of the system. “We’re trying to cut 80kg out of the car and 20kg out of the hybrid drivetrain. It’s difficult.”