Ferrari surprised its fans by breaking with naming tradition for its 2002 hypercar. F40, F50… Enzo Ferrari? Yes that’s right -the successor to the F50 and predecessor to the similarly odd-named LaFerrari- was named after the founder, Enzo Ferrari himself. Commonly referred to as the Ferrari Enzo, it unusually features the manufacturer’s name as the suffix.
Was it the fastest car in the world? No, but acceleration to 60mph (97km/h) in 3.14 seconds is still astonishing even by today’s standards. At the time, it was the quickest around Ferrari’s Fiorano circuit, but that record has since been demolished by successive Ferrari models. Top speed was verified at 355km/h.
With a carbon-fibre body and dramatic dihedral doors, the Enzo was dramatic but functional, with its Formula One inspired body emphasising utility rather than beauty. The heart of the Prancing Horse’s ultimate car at the time was the ‘F140’- a 6.0-litre banshee of a V12, that revs its way to 8200 rpm. Power was 485kW at 7800 rpm, while peak torque is 657Nm at 5500rpm. A six speed single clutch ‘F1’ gearbox boasted a shifting time of 150 milliseconds, which was brag-worthy at the time.
Ferrari closely guards its most special of models. We had to get permission from Modena to film the Enzo. A LaFerrari was also present, but we did not have the green light to capture its beauty.
Carbon ceramic disc brakes, active aerodynamics that could generate 7600N of force at 300km/h and traction control meant the Enzo was more placid than you could expect. With 400 made, all in left hand drive, Gosford Classic Car Museum’s example was one of the only you’ll find in our country.