Few carmakers have the market muscle of Ferrari, the world's largest producer of ultra-luxury sports cars. The automaker's newest model, the Enzo - named after the company's legendary founder - was sold out even before the nearly $700,000 super car was formally unveiled. There's a waiting list of up to two years on some of Ferrari's other models. And barring a catastrophic collapse in sales, that's not likely to change any time soon. To maintain demand - and the incredible resale value of its vehicles - Ferrari has limited production at its plant outside Modena, Italy, to just over 4200 vehicles a year. For those who can't wait, the Italian automaker is going down-market with the recently re-launched Maserati brand. Expect to see a few changes in the rest of the Ferrari lineup for 2003, with an all-new replacement for the aging 360 Modena expected before the end of next year.
ENZO Going, going, gone. Named for the automaker's sainted founder, the Enzo will churn out 650 horsepower, hit a top speed of 217 mph, and launch from a dead stop to 60 in 3.6 seconds. Making extensive use of carbon fiber, this high-tech wonder will feature a computerized instrument panel and borrow heavily from Ferrari's dominant Formula One car in concept, technology and design. The V-12-powered Enzo is expected to command a $670,000 price tag. But the Enzo does have one problem: a limited production run. In a rare bow to market demand, Ferrari has increased production - from 249 to 399. But even then, the car was sold out before its official September premier at the Paris Motor Show.
2003 Ferrari 575M |
575M Visually, there's not much different, just a subtle facelift that it'd take a Ferrarista to recognize. But the update of the six-year-old 550M gets a bump up in its prancing pony power, going from 479 to 508 hp. You can tame that extra power with Ferrari's optional Formula One-style paddle shifters. Don't confuse this with the manual-style automatics available on many cars these days. This system uses a complex package of computer-controlled solenoids and hydraulic actuators to actually shift the 575M's 6-speed manual gearbox. The system can be operated in automatic or manual mode.
2003 Ferrari 456M |
456M Fast, sexy and unchanged for '03, this V-12-powered two-plus-two shares the same front-engine layout as the 575M. The Pininfarina body is, to many eyes, the most beautiful of the current Ferrari line-up.
2003 Ferrari 360 Spyder |
360 MODENA / 360 SPIDER Affordability is, of course, in the eye of the beholder. And if you have to ask, the mid-engine, V-8-powered 360 coupe and cabrio are what you might be willing to call Ferrari's entry-level models. You're still talking a top speed of around 175 mph, and a challenge to anything else in its class.
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