Expected to arrive some time next year, the successor to the Ferrari Enzo could make use of hybrid technology admits company CEO Amedeo Felisa.

Speaking at the launch of the new 458 Spider, Felisa admitted as much and even confirmed that Ferrari is currently testing prototype hybrids. While still a stretch at this point, Ferrari has used Enzo and its predecessors like the F50 and F40 to launch new technologies, with the F50 being the first to utilize a carbon fiber chassis.

The ‘F70′ will continue to use a carbon fiber base, confirms Felisa, as well as a mid-engined V12 for motivation.

That V12 could be joined with a Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems (KERS), a technology that Ferrari developed for use in its F1 cars. This would also continue Ferrari’s long-standing tradition of using the pinnacle of motorsports to develop technologies for its road cars.

As for the rest of the Ferrari lineup Felisa commented that carbon fiber tubs or monocoques will not be used, maintaining that the cost and risks are simply too big to justify for standard production models.

[Source: InsideLine]

The successor to the Ferrari Enzo may not get the much-rumored twin-turbo V8 at all, but rather keep a V12 engine. The new rumor comes from AutoCar after an interview with company CEO Amedeo Felisa.

In an earlier article Felisa commented that, “Ferrari will not build a six-cylinder engine until customer attitudes towards smaller engines change. The perception today is that the number of cylinders equates to the possibilities of the car.” With that context he then commented that, “That is why we are developing hybrid technology. Hybrid means we can protect the V12.”

What AutoCar suggests in interpreting the remarks is that a top-level supercar would need to have a top-level engine – a V12. Hybrid technology would then be used to give the V12 engine increased performance. This would also allow for the immediate and smooth power delivery of a naturally aspirated setup. Ferrari execs have commented in the past that turbochargers posed a problem for the Ferrari driving philosophy as they don’t deliver the sort of linear feel that Ferrari customers want.

[Source: AutoCar]

Reports of a twin-turbo V6 engine to power the upcoming Enzo successor have been quashed by Ferrari boss Amedeo Felisa. ““There are no plans for a six-cylinder engine today,” said Felisa in an interview with the U.K.’s AutoCar. “Ferrari will not build a six-cylinder engine until customer attitudes towards smaller engines change. The perception today is that the number of cylinders equates to the possibilities of the car.”

Rumors had also indicated that a twin-turbo V8 (a more likely option for such an ultra high-performance machine), but Felisa didn’t comment on that possibility, increasing speculation that we will in fact see such a powerplant situated over the rear wheels of the next Enzo.

In addition to those comments Felisa spoke about the increased use of carbon fiber in its future models, commenting that the Italian automaker won’t use the light-weight material extensively in its production cars any time soon. The exception to this rule, however, are extremely limited production cars like the next Enzo – which don’t see regular road use. Felisa cited a lack of knowledge about long term reliability and durability of carbon fiber, as well as issues relating to repairing the material if its used in a structural way – like McLaren has done with its new MP4-12C.

We expect more details to emerge about the next Enzo as Ferrari ramps up to launch its latest supercar in 2012.

[Source: AutoCar]

The Ferrari F70 will be an ultra light-weight machine and make use of a twin-turbo V8 engine. News of Ferrari’s plans for the successor to the Enzo comes from the U.K.’s AutoExpress where it has been reported that the F70 will in man ways be a spiritual successor to the incredibly-raw F40 – the last production Ferrari to use a turbocharged setup.

Ferrari will also use what it has learned from its FXX program and take inspiration from the company’s 2007 Millechili concept car. The FXX program was made available to a select few of the world’s richest people, who paid several million dollars to not just buy a stripped down and track-prepped Enzo (called the FXX), but to compete in organized private events. As for the Millechili, its important because in Italian it means 1,000 kg, (just over 2,200 lbs) a weight which Ferrari hopes to achieve with the F70. This would be an achievement indeed, as it would be a solid 800 lbs less than the already super-light Enzo.

To do this Ferrari is certain to use a carbon fiber monocoque chassis (essentially a single-piece frame and passenger compartment structure made entirely of the light-weight material), which is now being used in vehicles like the McLaren MP4-12C, as well as the Lexus LFA and Aston Martin One-77. The car will also, no doubt, use carbon fiber body panels and brakes.

Additional weight will be saved by opting for a lighter V8 with twin-turbochargers, rather than a bulky V12. Power output is expected to be similar to the Enzo’s 660-hp, but the reduced weight will give the car a huge increase in performance, both on the track and in a straight line where a 0-60 mph time of around 3.0 seconds is expected. Also look or a top seed in excess of 230 mph.

Ferrari has publicly admitted it is looking at turbochargers for future models but has also said it wants to virtually eliminate the problem of turbo lag before it builds production turbocharged cars. One solution to this that the Prancing Horse has reportedly been looking into is the use of electric motors to temporarily get the turbos up to speed before. This, of course, raises the possibility that such an electric motor could be part of a regenerative braking system.

The F70 is expected to go on sale in 2012, with just 399 models being built for an asking price around the one million dollar mark.

[Source: AutoExpress]