Since as far back as most can remember, Ferrari has been a name that represents pedigree, with cars being birthed by the automaker being seen as the thoroughbreds of the auto industry. Above all else though, Ferrari has valued their speed on the track. Be it F1 or hypercars, the title of being the best performer has always been the aspiration of the prancing horse brand, and for much of the time it can be argued that they definitely held that title.
Back in 2002, Ferrari demonstrated their dedication to track excellence with the Enzo. The Ferrari Enzo was built upon Formula 1 technology and designed to be the most exclusive, most elegantly produced race car that someone could own and take around a track. The Enzo was only the first though, with Ferrari’s auto development going through several iterations of track-only cars. The original FXX debuted in 2005, with only 30 examples being sold at about $2,000,000 a pop. Then in 2007 they stopped production of the base FXX and created what may be one of the most special cars in history, the FXX Evoluzione.
A Masterpiece Of Design
In 2007, they began production of the FXX Evoluzione. The aim was to completely redesign the FXX and create something even better. The perfectionists in the design labs at Ferrari worked overtime to top something that people thought was already a triumph. However, this task was nothing new for the Italian automaker, with such a history behind them creating magnificence was their bread and butter. They produced a car that had better aerodynamics, an improved powertrain, and even better grip.
Ferrari wanted to make the car look as much like an F1 car as it could, with both the exterior and the steering wheel being modeled after the F2007, their Formula 1 car at the time. Ferrari wanted to give the driver a racing car experience, and they definitely delivered.
The only downside is that this car was built for the track and only the track. None of the models made were ever street-legal. The only way to drive this car on the road was to modify it and Ferrari’s legal team has made it abundantly clear that tampering with their cars makes you persona non grata.
One Of The Most Powerful Naturally Aspirated Engines Ever Built
Horsepower was at the forefront of the minds of the engineers working on what to put at the heart of their new creation. They developed an engine that truly embodied the spirit of Ferrari, a naturally aspirated V-12 that blew minds. In fact, up until the Aston Martin Valkyrie, the Engine in the FXX Evoluzione was considered the most powerful naturally aspirated engine of all time.
The massive 6.3-liter V-12 generated a staggering 848 horsepower and 506 pound-feet of torque. All this power was shot through a rear-wheel-drive system that launched this car around a track at absolutely mind-blowing speeds. Anyone with a passing interest in the engineering of an engine would agree that it's bewildering how Ferrari managed to generate so much power out of a naturally aspirated engine.
On top of the incredible power lay some sophistication. The engine had been layered with more Formula 1 components, all designed to push it even farther and make it even more responsive. This included lightweight titanium connecting rods, carbon fiber air intake plenums, and a specially designed exhaust system.
Not Just Impressive On Paper
Ferrari wouldn’t be the first automaker to create a car that looked incredible when looking at its specifications but felt absolutely dull. However, the FXX Evoluzione was not just a promise. The car was incredibly quick and definitely had racing in its blood.
The FXX Evoluzione could do 0 to 60 in just 2.4 seconds, a time that is impressive by modern standards let alone for 2007. The six-speed F1-automated manual transmission meant that all the power that the engine delivered could be effectively utilized. The advanced traction control system also played a part in the hypercar’s incredible launch.
In terms of track times, this meant that the FXX Evoluzione could compete with and beat the rest of the competition at the time. It even featured on an episode of Top Gear, setting a record around the iconic Dunsfold Aerodrome with a time of 1:10.7 with Michael Schumacher at the wheel.
A Rare Supercar Gem with Only 30 Units in Existence
Part of the appeal of the FXX Evoluzione was its rarity and its exclusivity. One could not simply purchase this car either, it was not as simple as being able to fork out the small fortune the car cost. To own an FXX Evoluzione, Ferrari had to formally invite you to purchase the hypercar, making owning one incredibly uncommon.
Selling the car this way meant that only a select few people were able to purchase the car, with production stopping after the sale of the 30th FXX Evoluzione. This was to ensure that the car would only be placed in the hands of true motoring enthusiasts and drivers, Michael Schumacher being one of the special individuals to own one.
Owning one, however, did not mean that you could take it home and drive it whenever you liked. Even after this rigorous vetting process for owners, Ferrari had in place a rule whereby you were only allowed to drive the car on preapproved track days, and you weren’t allowed to do so without Ferrari technicians going over the car first. As well as this, you would be sat down after your track day for a debriefing in which owners would have a chance to comment on the performance of the car and suggest improvements. Even after development and sales, Ferrari was still chasing perfection.
Owning this car made you part of an elite club. Not only was it an exclusive buy, but it was one of the greatest hypercars ever made. With the heart of a beast, the FXX Evoluzione housed one of the most perfectly designed engines of all time. The cherry on top was that it was absolutely beautiful to look at, both while stationary and while flying around a track. Not only Ferrari, but any automaker, will struggle to ever make a hypercar better than the FXX Evoluzione.