Enzo Ferrari

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Enzo's development began in 2002, utilizing cutting-edge F1 tech like carbon-fibre-reinforced silicon carbide ceramic composite disc brakes. Its design was handled by Ken Okuyama, the then head of design at Pininfarina. The car generates massive downforce: 343 kilograms (756 lb) at 200 km/h and 775 kilograms (1,709 lb) at 300 km/h, before dropping to 585 kilograms (1,290 lb) at top speed. Three development mules were built using the bodywork of the older 348 model. The third mule was later auctioned in June 2005 for €195,500 (US$236,300). Before its official unveiling at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, a show car was flown to the United States to be filmed in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, driven on a beach by actress Demi Moore.

In Their Own Story

In 2004, Ferrari built the 400th production unit and donated it to the Vatican for charity. This specific car later sold at a Sotheby's auction for US$1.1 million. The Enzo's F1 gearbox, built by Graziano Trasmissioni, uses paddle-shifters with LED lights on the steering wheel to signal gear changes, featuring a 150-millisecond shift time. Despite its advanced tech, the first-generation 'clutchless' design faced complaints about abrupt shifting. Performance testing revealed it could reach 97 km/h (60 mph) in 3.14 seconds with a downhill rollout and hit a top speed of 355 km/h (221 mph). On the Nordschleife Circuit, Evo recorded a lap time of 7:25.21 on a test car that unfortunately had a broken electronic damper.

Reader's Guide

The Enzo was offered exclusively to existing customers who previously bought an F40 or F50. It features a longitudinally mounted 6.0-liter V12 engine producing 660 PS (485 kW; 651 hp) at 7,800 rpm and 657 N⋅m of torque at 5,500 rpm, with a redline of 8,200 rpm. The car rides on 19-inch wheels held by a single lug nut, fitted with Bridgestone Potenza Scuderia RE050A tyres and 15-inch Brembo disc brakes. While the Enzo set standards for its time, it inspired derivatives like the Ferrari FXX (introduced in 2005) and the Maserati MC12, which shares the engine, chassis, and gearbox but features a sharper nose and smoother curves for reduced drag.

Did You Know?

• Three development mules were built using the bodywork of the Ferrari 348 model.
• The 400th production Enzo was donated to the Vatican for charity and later sold at auction for US$1.1 million.
• A show car was flown from Italy to the US specifically to be driven by Demi Moore in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle before the Paris Motor Show.
• The Maserati MC12 is slower than the Enzo but has lapped race tracks faster due to superior Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires.
• In 2004, Sports Car International named the Ferrari Enzo number three on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 2000s.