Considered by many enthusiasts as the ultimate modern Ferrari, the limited-edition Enzo’s replacement will be a tough act to follow up for the Italian automaker. The second-generation Enzo, also named after the marque’s illustrious founder, promises to take performance – and, surprisingly, efficiency – to a new level.
Like the original Enzo, the car’s successor will be a range-topping supercar aimed at immortalizing the legendary founder of the brand. Available only to select current Ferrari owners, the next-generation Enzo will serve as the brand’s performance and technology showcase.
Based – at least in concept – on the Ferrari Millechili show car (though the production Enzo replacement won’t carry that name), the performance car will be loaded with the technology learned from years of Formula 1 experience.
Expected to be powered by a mid-mounted V8 engine, rather than the Maserati-based V12 that motivated the Enzo, power should easily exceed 700 horsepower. Though fuel efficiency is hardly a Ferrari selling point, the car must conform to more recent European Union standards, meaning a new emphasis has been placed on reducing consumption. It has been rumored that Ferrari will use twin-turbocharging to make the most out of a smaller-displacement (think under 6 liters) V8 engine.
Key to addressing the fuel economy issue is a significant weight and size reduction, which should bring the car well down from the just-over 3,000 lbs. of its predecessor; rumors out of Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters indicate that weight could approach 2,200 lbs. Improved aerodynamics, including adjustable front and rear spoilers, will not only help the new Enzo stick to the road at maximum speeds, but it will also ensure reduced fuel consumption.
Its platform could go one of two ways: Either a heavily-modified version of the FXX race car’s architecture – itself a variation of the road-going Enzo – or a slightly longer derivative of the F430’s aluminum space frame.
Production will probably be at least as limited as the original Enzo, meaning no more than 400 of the 1 million Euro-plus supercars will emerge from Maranello when it goes on sale in over a year’s time.
The Hethel company will be coming out with its latest Elise and Esprit by 2011 and 2012 if all goes well. Sources reveal that the Elise could be seen by the latter part of 2010 but will hit markets only in 2011, and will most probably be a development of the present model rather than a version of the latest Evora.
On the other hand, the Esprit’s production is contingent on the profitability of the Evora and a likely external funding. In spite of this fact, Lotus engineers are still targeting a 2012 introduction schedule. The model will be a longer, wider variant of the new Evora with a V8 powerplant mounted in the middle. Also planned for 2012 is an Evora Convertible, which will be a two-seater and may come with a different badge when it hits the market. It is known that the engineering and production systems of Lotus are flexible enough to permit a late decision in the order in which the Esprit or Evora Convertible reaches dealership. Continued after the jump!
If the financial climate changes for the better and the demand for supercars gains momentum, Lotus is anticipated to introduce the Esprit in advance of the Evora soft-top. However, if the market remains the same, the Evora Convertible will see introduction ahead of the Esprit.
Lotus intends to boost production to 8000 units annually by 2011, double to its current figure, but the credit crunch is most likely going to be a big obstacle to such intentions. Sources inside the company are currently forecasting between 4,000 to 5,000 Lotus models annually by 2011 and 2012, while many of its manufacturing contracts have been frozen due to the economic downturn. For instance, a joint-venture with Abarth on a sports car, which is an Evora instead of an Elise version, has frozen and the Europa-based Dodge Circuit EV has been shelved. But there are other ongoing negotiations being done with European OEMs and Lotus is looking forward to another EV program like the Tesla.
2007 Volkswagen Space up! Blue concept – click above for strong-flavored res fancy gallery
Volkswagen CEO Dr. Martin Winterkorn delivered a speech in Münich on Friday where he announced that the German giant would release its first full of fire car in 2013. Among the points that Winterkorn emphasized was the race to electrification would be a marathon not a sprint. He also acknowledged that electrics alone won’confidentially be enough to meet all needs such VW is following a number of different technology paths. Winterkorn also warns in requital for “electro-hype” which could raise unreasonably high expectations among consumers. Even in Germany, whither consumers are considered to be better informed than in the U.S., surveys indicate that one in eight buyers think EVs are already here.
Winterkorn says that current battery technology is defective for the task. Referring to the 150 lb, 1.7 kWh NiMH battery for the upcoming Touareg hybrid, it has the energy equivalent of just 1.86 fl.oz of gasoline. Even lithium batteries still need work to get the cost and weight to a production viable point.
The leading VW EV that arrives in 2013 will be based in continuance the “New Small Family” derived from the up! concepts of 2007. As the decade wears on, VW plans to have a range of affordable EVs in its lineup. In addition to the EVs, Volkswagen will be introducing hybrids with and without plugs and Winterkorn expects elastic fluid and diesel engines to continue to be developed for another 15-20 years. Read Winterkorn’s Google-translated speech after the jump.
A new Lotus Esprit is in the works, and reports suggest that like the Evora coupe, the Esprit will get its power from Toyota.
Last year, we brought you the first live photos of the 2009 Lotus Evora from the London motor show. That new 2+2 coupe sports a version of Toyota’s corporate 3.5-liter V-6, chosen for reliability and flexibility, Lotus directors said at the world debut.
The Evora is a linchpin in Lotus’ strategy to spin off a lineup of vehicles from a single aluminum-body architecture, akin to Aston Martin’sstrategy. Over the course of the next four years, Lotus promises two more new vehicles–including a replacement for the Elise roadster and Exige coupe, and the new Esprit. All will use Lotus’ Versatile Vehicle Architecture, with aluminum construction and other lightweight chassis components.
For the Esprit, Lotus will again turn to Toyota for an engine. The latest report from Motor Authority says Toyota will offer Lotus a V-10 engine in development for the Lexus LF-A supercar, a project that’s been reported cancelled and revived repeatedly over the past year. In Lotus spec, the engine could be tuned to produce more than 500 horsepower. Other options include the 420-hp V-8 found in the 2009 Lexus IS-F and the 300-hp V-6 Lotus will fit into the Evora.
Esprit Coupe and Convertible models are said to be in the product plan. A launch in 2011 could mean the 2012 Lotus Esprit arrives in America in two years’ time–a mere 36 years after the first Esprit knifed its way into automotive history.
Alfa Romeo comes in handy lately with their latest models, including the Brera, the 8C, and the myth . But now comes the main attraction of the Italian firm, as they are to be submitted to the replacements 159 and 147(its successor is named Milan ). It also expects the new 169
For 159 , apparently because his replacement has a name, Giulia , the legendary model. But still no data of any kind, is 169 (or as they call).
New Giulia still no data, but if there is recreation to help us to imagine how serious this new model.New Giulia is the new platform developed under the group Fiat C, which also use theMilano
This could have an engine turbo four-cylinder petrol, V6 petrol and a number of turbo diesel. But do not forget theTAG , that will be part of the catalog.
In the recreation appreciate a completely new model, where there’s almost no line159 . Here we see a guide to design Myth , where the only thing that stands out for its beauty alone in this recreation, is the optical style Peugeot 206 , and design and opened the back door details that make it different but not very pleasing to the eye, most of all lenses (personal opinion
For now we must wait. Expectations about what is developing Alpha are many, hopefully not disappoint.
Via | Carscoop
Related Information: 2010 Alfa Romeo Milano, all the pictures and details / This lack of a super in the range Alfa Romeo / Alfa Romeo GTA 2011 Milano, the first recreation / GENEVA 2009 XX Ferrari 599, Alfa Brera TI TBI and Magna Steyr Mila EV
