MARANELLO, Italy — The centerpiece of Ferrari's future-tech presentation at the Fiorano test track was the FXX Mille Chili, described by several European journals as "the most important concept ever presented" by the House of Maranello.
Not intended for production, the Mille Chili (Italian for 1,000 kilos) displays a grab bag of innovative future technologies, many derived from Formula One racing, that Ferrari intends to begin applying to production cars over the next five years.
Among those technologies: hybrid drivetrains, carbon-fiber chassis and bodywork, fixed seats with adjustable pedals and steering, carbon-ceramic brakes and active aerodynamics.
The Mille Chili resembles a shrunken Enzo; in fact, it is more than 3 feet shorter and weighs more than 600 pounds less than the Ferrari supercar. The company says it could easily accommodate the Enzo's 6.0-liter V12, but Ferrari seems more intent on trumpeting its recent development work on high-performance hybrids.
The Ferrari system appears to be unique in that it ties an electric motor to the gearbox rather than the engine. The system is said to provide a seamless and near-instantaneous burst of torque during shifts, when the conventional engine is powered down. Coupled with an electronically controlled transmission, the system could find its way into Ferrari production cars by 2012. Ferrari also says that most of its future vehicles will be able to run on bioethanol.
What this means to you: Maranello joins such other prestigious marques as BMW and Lexus in exploring the performance parameters of future hybrid technology — certainly a promising development for green-minded enthusiasts around the globe.
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