The
Ferrari display in Paris is showcasing its new and
advanced supercar destined carbon fibre chassis as well
as the five sports cars that make up the current range,
each of which represents the present generation of its
8- and 12-cylinder models.
The F12berlinetta is the most powerful and
high-performance Ferrari V12 ever built, thanks to its
740 hp power output and light, compact architecture. It
is flanked by a model with a complementary mission, the
FF, a four-seater four-wheel-drive car which now sports
a new full-length panoramic roof in a special reflective
glass (LowE) that gives occupants a genuine open-air
driving feeling, while providing thermal and acoustic
insulation.
The coupé and the Spider versions of the 458, powered by
the V8 that has won the Best Performance Engine Award
for two consecutive years, are designed for owners
seeking a sportier driving experience. The California 30
– the ‘30’ in the name referring to the reduction in
weight and increase in horsepower introduced on the
model earlier this year - is aimed at owners who put
more store in greater versatility of use.
In line with its “Different Ferraris for different
Ferraristi” philosophy, these cars are designed to
fulfil complementary roles without compromising their
DNA which remains absolutely unique in terms of
performance, driving pleasure and advanced technologies.
All offer exclusive design that combines modern styling
with traditional cues typical of the marque.
Ferrari continually invests in its product range and
this has led to the creation of 8- and 12-cylinder
engines which offer improved specific power outputs,
levels of torque and maximum rev limits, while at the
same time, offering improved fuel efficiency. Important
innovations have led to reductions in the weight of
these cars, too. In fact, the Scaglietti facility, which
specialises in aluminium fabrication, works with more
than 25 different alloys, some of which are being used
for the first time in the automotive sector.
While power has been boosted by approximately 100 hp
across the model range, fuel consumption and emissions
have been reduced by 30 per cent compared to four years
ago thanks to work done not only on engines and
structural components, but also on aerodynamics, tyres
and vehicle sub-systems.
Ferrari continues to invest in innovation and is
planning to launch the first hybrid model in its history
in the near future. Having already revealed the power
unit’s architecture and components, Ferrari has chosen
Paris to debut the new composite chassis derived
directly from Formula 1 technologies.
Ferrari drew on its experience in working with
composites for single-seaters for its new hybrid model
which will be produced in a limited-edition, special
series. For this model Ferrari chose not to use the
industrial carbon-fibre manufacturing techniques, such
as RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding), normally adopted in
the automotive sector, as Ferrari claims they did not
meet the quality and functional standards it sets
itself.
The materials, design methodologies, construction
processes, staff and instruments used are all shared
with the Scuderia Ferrari, with the formation of a
working group which relied on an important contribution
from Rory Byrne, Ferrari’s F1 chief designer who was
behind 11 of the team’s Championship titles.
The chassis uses four different types of carbon-fibre
and is hand-laminated then cured in autoclaves following
engineering processes which optimise the design by
integrating the different components.
The main structure is made from T800 carbon with local,
strategic applications of T800UD, a unidirectional
carbon-fibre tape, for reinforcement. To ensure weight
was kept to an absolute minimum, the structural
underbody and the cross-member are made from another
type of particularly high tensile strength carbon-fibre
known as M46J. In certain critical areas, such as the
doors, very tough T1000 was adopted as it is
particularly efficient in terms of impact absorption
which is why it is used in the nose-cone of the single-seaters.
Carbon-fibre is combined with Kevlar for the undertray
to prevent damage from debris thrown up from the road.
The overall chassis is 20 per cent lighter than the Enzo
Ferrari, despite the extra weight required by housing
the hybrid components and to meet regulatory
obligations. Torsional rigidity is increased by 27 per
cent and beam stiffness is up by 22 per cent.
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