PARIS MOTOR SHOW: Carbon fibre no black art for Ferrari Enzo replacement

The replacement for Ferrari’s top-shelf Enzo supercar will not only be the marque’s first ever production hybrid – it will also be lighter and stiffer thanks to Formula One-derived carbon-fibre technology.

Despite the extra weight of its HY-KERS hybrid powertrain, which mates a V12 engine and dual-clutch transmission to an electric motor at the end of the longitudinal gearbox, Ferrari says the new supercar’s chassis will be 20 per cent lighter and 27 per cent stiffer.

That suggests a kerb weight of around only 1100kg for the all-new Prancing Horse range-topper, which is expected to be revealed to potential customers late this year before making its world debut at the Beijing motor show next April.

The new Enzo will, of course, be the Italian supercar maker’s fastest model, but the hybrid powertrain will ensure it is also the most efficient Ferrari ever.

Development of the new Ferrari flagship began two years ago under the control of former F1 technical director, Rory Byrne.

Prototypes of the new super-coupe have since been seen circling the company’s Maranello production facility, but the appearance of the radical new carbon-fibre tub at this week’s Paris motor show is the first official evidence of the 2013 Enzo replacement.

The reveal of its ground-breaking new composite chassis shows it will retain the Enzo’s distinctive ‘butterfly’ doors.

Ferrari says the new model’s use of carbon-fibre will be unmatched by other manufacturers, including McLaren, Lamborghini, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.

In addition to being lighter and stiffer, Ferrari claims the new tub’s torsional rigidity has been increased by 27 per cent, with 22 per cent greater beam stiffness.

Other weight-saving measures include the use of Kevlar underbody panels, but the carbon-fibre tub itself will further trim kilos by doubling as the mounting point for the front suspension and dash cross-member, while also incorporating its fuel tank protection, battery compartment and seat structure.

“Ferrari drew on its vast experience in working with composites for single-seaters for its new hybrid model which will be produced in a limited-edition, special series,” said the official Ferrari press release.

“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 they did not meet the quality and functional standards Ferrari set itself.”

The Ferrari release goes on to say the car’s construction employs the same materials, design methodologies, construction processes, staff and instruments as the Formula One race team, Scuderia Ferrari, with four different types of hand-laminated carbon-fibre cured in autoclaves.

The main structure is made from T800 carbon, with the same high-strength T1000 carbon-fibre found in the nose-cones of Ferrari’s F1 cars used in critical areas such as the doors because of its impact absorption properties.

Read more Paris Motor Show stories at motoring.com.au

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