An all-new supercar about to be born in Modena, Italy, codenamed MF1, it is the very first work of the somewhat mysteriously titled 'Project 1221', which is led by legendary Ferrari engineer Mauro Forghieri.

To be presented this summer, first deliveries of the supercar's 199-unit production run will commence in early 2008. The new company is giving little away about this car, although they state that it will be offered in both left and right hand drive formats from the outset, that it will boast "unrivalled handling, agility, acceleration and speed", and that the cost price has been fixed at 575,000 euros before tax.

"During approximately the last three and a half years the ambitious project has been silently underway," they confirm, adding that, "the gestation is finally leading to the debut of an independent group dedicated to creating and marketing exceptional vehicles, craft and aircraft under a single banner."

Regarding this new sports car, which goes under the codename MF1, they describe it, in their own words, as being a 'supercar'. Project 1221 information further mentions that, "The first motor car of the marque, which is designated MF1 as a tribute to Mauro Forghieri, is a 2-seat berlinetta of rare beauty, distinguished by fierce and effortless performance singularly delivered in outstanding comfort and safety. Of course, a fascinating and original - even surprising - powerplant is specified, complementing a no less groundbreaking chassis." This 'surprising' engine is expected to be a V12, although any firm details are scant.

Even the project's title, 1221, is shrouded in secrecy, "For the time being and for reference purposes the term Project 1221 is being used, indeed as a cryptic hint of the aspirations of the marque."

Offering some insight into their philosophy, four themes are presented: "Project 1221 was born for the enthrallment of undertaking a definitive and defining challenge. It is a statement of vanguard engineering, timeless style and flawless execution delivered with idiosyncratic business flair. Secondly the project is not a 'prestige', niche-market offshoot of some industrial conglomerate, nor does it have any "obligation" to make shareholders or investors happy.

"Thirdly, on the other hand, it is not a gratuitous pet project either. Success in the marketplace is the only prerequisite in order to make and keep making extraordinary, beautiful and usable machines of exceptional quality that will be giving incomparable pleasure and pride of possession to their discerning owners. While lastly, all the machines that will be emerging from Projct 1221 follow the same guidelines and share the same essential aspiration, i.e. to be fit for a King or Queen."

Their future build programmes will focus around flexibility and very individually tailored production runs. "There is a long-term strategy for the marque with, in due course, a comprehensive array of land, water and air machines.

"As a consequence, depending on the rate of demand, availability of a given model might for instance be exhausted after two days, after two weeks, after two months or even after two years. A peculiarity of our approach though is that, regardless of demand, every single model will only be proposed in definite, pre-announced production runs."

Chief engineer of Project 1221 is the legendary Mauro Forghieri, who will lead a dedicated development team that will also receive input from strategic engineering partner, Oral Engineering.

Forghieri is of course a well-know name in the history of Formula 1, having been synonymous with Scuderia Ferrari over a period of more than 25 years, starting with the 1962 250 GTO.
 

Mauro Forghieri is of course a well-know name in the history of Formula 1, having been synonymous with Scuderia Ferrari over a period of more than 25 years, starting with the 1962 250 GTO. Subsequently, he has also held the roles of Technical Director with both Lamborghini Engineering, where he designed the 3.5-litre V12 Lamborghini F1 engine that made its Grand Prix debut in 1989, and with the briefly-revived Bugatti Automobili.

Modena-based Oral engineering was founded in 1996 by Sergio Luigi. Using advanced CAD-CAM tools, and very high precision methods, Oral have, in recent years, designed and built prototype cars and engines. Forghieri also holds down the role of Commercial and Technical Director with this firm.

Emanuele Nicosia, who now runs Design Service Network (DSN), a Swiss-based concern, heads up the new design team, and has been entrusted with translating into production form the existing design concepts for Project 1221. Among DSN's recent works is the V-PER, a 2-cylinder motorbike which is now built in Waco, Japan, in strictly limited quantities.

While working for Pininfarina, Nicosia is particularly remembered for designing the pioneering 1979 Jaguar XJS Spyder prototype, and developing the exterior design concepts for the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO and Testarossa models, as well as penning the early Alfa Romeo 164 sketches. Also, among his most notable works, are the interior designs of the Lamborghini Diablo and of the Bugatti EB110 GT, which were carried out in the early 1990s under the DSN banner.

Anna Visconti, who along with Nicosia founded the Turin-based Beestudio in 1990 and is also a key player in DSN, will be responsible for the production development of the existing interior design concept. Since 1999 she has been the general-manager of Beestudio, while she can draw on extensive previous experience at the IDEA Institute, and the Trussardi Fashion Group.

Lastly, Andreas Andrianos, is the Chief Executive of Project 1221, which will undertake the actual building, marketing and all the commercial aspects of this programme. Besides coordinating the twin development teams in Modena and Turin, he will also be handling the appointment of a small group of exclusive distributors, in selected international locations of special interest. Andrianos is also the engineer that carried out all the exploratory conceptual work and built the preliminary clay models that have formed the basis of the project.
 

by Edd Ellison