Ferrari FXX Evolution: Racing Program Extended

Motoring Channel Staff - 30/October/2007

Maranello, Italy — Back in '05 Ferrari set up the FXX program that very wealthy drivers could join to pilot the track only FXX race car around some of the world's coolest tracks.

The idea that Ferrari takes care of the cars, including things like storage and transportation, made sense, as the time-limited high flyers could jet in, drive the cars for two days straight, then jet out. 

The handful of FXX's built by Ferrari are also part of its research and development unit, as all the data from the cars (covering more than 35,000km in two years) is used to develop new technologies and solutions.

Ferrari has revealed that seven-times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher joined the ranks of the client test drivers on several occasions.

So successful was the program that it's been extended to 2008/2009 and the 6.2-litre V12-powered FXX race car has also come in for some tweaking. 

The original Ferrari FXX race cars output about 590kW (790hp) @ 8500rpm, easily one of this world's most powerful naturally aspirated 12-cylinder engines.

Ferrari decided that more power was needed and so the FXX Evolution was created. Powered by a 6262cc engine revving 1000rpm higher, the V12 reaches peak power of about 640kW @ 9500rpm. That's 860 horsepower.

As well as the increased power output Ferrari gearchange times have been slashed by 25%, from 80 milliseconds to 60 milliseconds. Gearchanges in the FXX would be intense, to say the say least. 

The Italian sports car company says that the gearbox has been attuned to the increased engine punch and that "...gear ratios have been adapted to make use of the extra 1000 rpm now delivered by the engine."

Ferrari claims that its Maranello-based engineers "studied the wealth of information gained to develop a kit which will cut the FXX's Fiorano lap time to under 1'16'' (previously it was 1'18'')" and that new 19-inch Bridgestone tyres and new brake pads increase the cars track endurance.

Other changes have also been made to the Ferrari FXX track car, including new front suspension geometry and "...a new traction control system with nine different settings giving the driver even more options to influence the car's behaviour on the track, just as F1 drivers do to maximize performance."

Aerodynamic changes have also been implemented on the new Ferrari FXX Evolution, most of which was due to driver feedback. The initial goal was to create "aerodynamic solutions aimed at increasing downforce over the rear axle". 

As the Italian sports car company attests, the FXX now sports a new rear diffuser, nolder and rear flaps which have combined to increase aerodynamic efficiency by 25% overall. "The active front spoiler control system settings have been adjusted to take these modifications into account too," says Ferrari, and that "new telemetry monitoring of the steering angle and brake pump pressure will further boost the interaction between Client test drivers and the company's engineers". 

Traction control had been an issue for some Client drivers, and now Ferrari has developed a less invasive and more flexible system that adapts to individual driving styles. Ferrari says this was important "when this very extreme car was being driven on the track by non-professional drivers".

The final aerodynamic improvement comes from the removal of the wing mirrors. Ferrari has confirmed that "from next year onwards, it will be possible for drivers to have two extra video cameras mounted on their car in addition the existing rear-facing one. This will, of course, give the drivers excellent rear visibility without having to impinge in any way on the car's aerodynamics."

The most advanced GT ever created at Maranello has just been given even more herbs, which improves everything from braking, cornering, acceleration, and endurance. 

The Ferrari FXX is the car you can never have, and one of the most desired because of that.

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