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After the F40 and F50, Ferrari could christen the new F60 supercar. Or maybe this “FX project” of the F55 came to fruition almost two decades ago, with a model presentation at Tokyo’s Artedinamica contemporary art museum in April, in 2002, the brand’s 55th anniversary. But finally, when this flag bearer made his debut at the Paris World Cup, an even more evocative name was chosen for it. Aiming to mark its time, this model truly christened Enzo, which is nothing more than the first name of the Prancing Horse company founder who died in 1988! Suffice it to say that kidnapping is therefore prohibited. Fortunately, we can say that this limited series has proven itself worthy of its lineage, even if the LaFerrari it replaces is capable of beating it in a straight line.
>>> Discover the history of the Ferrari Enzo in photos <<
An Italian designed by a Japanese
In terms of style, once again bodybuilder Pininfarina who was commissioned However, the magnificent and angular drawing is not actually signed by an Italian. We owe this to Kiyoyuki Okuyama, a Japanese better known as Ken, who would also be the author of the first Honda NSX, Maserati Quattroporte 5 or Peugeot Nautilus, Ferrari Rossa and Maserati Birdcage concepts. He even created his own automobile brand, Ken Okuyama Cars, in 2007. However, it is Enzo who will become his master, even if he initially disagrees.
Like its predecessor, the F50, it really does seem to sometimes put aerodynamics before aesthetics. In particular, the Formula 1-inspired barrel evoked the very special silhouette with a cockpit as if separated from the rest, as well as split ideas. As low as it is wide, the Enzo abandons the imposing spoiler of its two predecessors, instead surprising it with a small mobile spoiler, an extractor hood and substantial work on the underbody. As for the doors, they open for the first time in the elytron, thus helping to mark even more the lucky ones who cross the path of this extraterrestrial machine.
An atmospheric V12 on display
However, the centerpiece is located behind the two passengers and looks like a jewel in the window under the rear window. Ferrari has indeed designed a brand new V12 6.0 atmospheric for its supercar. Saddened souls will surely regret that this engine no longer carries and, unlike the 4.7 V12 that powers the F50, no longer derives directly from Formula 1. But power and torque make a clear leap forward, increasing from 520 hp to 660 hp and from 471 Nm to 660 Nm. The transmission also marks an era change by replacing the famous H grille on the steering wheel.
Even if the simple clutch now contributes to the dating of this transmission, it’s a competitive single-seater solution that was then perceived as “high-tech”. With a top speed of over 350 km/h and a standstill takeoff of 1,000 m in less than 20 seconds, the Enzo’s performance still remains very up-to-date. Just like the carbon ceramic brakes that were unheard of in Ferrari at the time. The structure also used intense carbon to guarantee a dry weight of only 1,255 kg, and the development of the chassis was to be carried out in part by Michaël Schumacher.
Good deal… for first time buyers
With such a pedigree, it was all set to make this Prancing Horse flagship a potential future collector. Especially since it was originally planned to produce only 349 copies, as with the F50. But the demand will be such that the production will increase to 399 units, and then to 400 units. With a very special “client” for this ultimate Enzo, because Pope Paul II. will be presented to John Paul, to be later resold for charity. On the same basis, 30 FXX will also be produced in 2005, with an increased power to 800 hp and only be used in the circuit. Maserati will also use these foundations and this V12, which has been reduced to 630 hp to adhere to a certain hierarchy, to give birth to the MC12 Stradale, its discoverable supercar that was produced in only 50 copies.
That doesn’t stop the Enzo from being much rarer than the legendary F40 with over 1,300 units, or even the new Daytona SP3, which revives the atmospheric V12 recipe without hybridization in the mid-rear position for the 599 exclusive. The latter is billed at around 2 million euros including tax, so it would take a few hundred thousand more euros to get one of the 400 Enzos produced between 2002 and 2003. A copy even sold for 1.6 million euros. After being cut in half in a major accident in 2016, and the rating has tended to rise ever since. So those who bought a new one for €675,000 twenty years ago wouldn’t have had a bad deal if they had kept it until now!
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