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 | Ferrari has developed a truly innovative
technical collaboration programme around the FXX prototype aimed at its most
dedicated and passionate Clients.
The FXX is the most advanced GT ever created at Maranello and its mission is to
involve Ferrari’s most valued Clients as genuine Prancing Horse Test Drivers in
their own right. The wealth of data and experience gathered in the course of
this very special programme will be exceptionally important.
In fact, the feedback from these highly skilled, non-professional Client Test
Drivers will be compared and supplemented with suggestions from Michael
Schumacher, Rubens Barrichello and Ferrari’s professional in-house Test Drivers.
Every Client who signs up for the FXX project by purchasing one of the estimated
20 or so cars being built, will actually be joining Team Ferrari, and will have
his driving experiences at the wheel of this new car monitored directly by the
Prancing Horse’s technicians and specialists.
The FXX is the fruit of Ferrari’s know-how in building special limited-series
sports cars combined with, of course, its racing experience. It will provide the
basic framework on which the specifics of future extreme models will be worked
out. The exceptionally powerful FXX delivers absolutely blistering performance
on all fronts.
The FXX has not been homologated for road use and thus will not be a competition
model. It will be used exclusively on the track as part of a specific ongoing
research and development programme featuring this first ever group of Client
Test Drivers.
The FXX is powered by an imposing 6,262 cc V12 engine that can punch out over
800 hp at 8,500 rpm. Its gearbox is the result of the transfer of F1 strategies,
delivering gear change times of under 100 ms. This is almost as fast as the F1
single-seaters, themselves the absolute pinnacle of current technological
achievement.
The FXX’s aerodynamic design is particularly innovative too as it has resulted
in a shape that produces 40% higher downforce than ever achieved before. It is
also possible to adjust the FXX’s mobile spoiler configuration to suit the
specific circuit.
Ferrari’s partnership with Bridgestone has resulted in the development of a
specific 19” slick tyre for this particular model. Likewise Brembo has created a
special brake cooling and pad system for the FXX’s extra large Composite Ceramic
Material disc brakes.
The Client Test Drivers will also be able to share their unique track experience
with a passenger – in fact a second seat is available.
What really sets the FXX apart, however, is the sophisticated telemetry system
which will monitor and give feedback on 39 different vehicle dynamics parameters
in real time. The system is also able to record other data as demanded by
specific circumstances.
The information gathered will then be analysed by the Ferrari technicians
working on the programme and discussed with the individual Client Drivers to
ensure that the car is kept constantly updated.
The FXX package also includes participation in a series of track events to be
organised by Ferrari on various international-level circuits over the coming two
years. On these occasions, an official team of technicians will be on hand to
provide any assistance and support required by the Client Test Driver.
In addition to these truly unique official events, Clients will also be able to
take their cars out on the track independently during private sessions. Clients
wishing to leave their car at Maranello will be glad to know that the vehicles
will be transported directly by Ferrari to the various European circuits for the
scheduled events.
Given the car’s exceptional performance and the unique nature of the package,
delivery of each FXX will also include an ad hoc driving course. The instructors
will, of course, be professional drivers and the courses will take place at the
Fiorano Circuit where Ferrari does its most important F1 single-seaters testing.
After the seat and the pedals have been individually tailored to each driver,
there will be a traditional “shakedown” followed by a training session dedicated
to test driving methodologies.
After a careful client order selection process, the first FXXs will be delivered
by the end of this year. The initial testing of the definitive car is currently
taking place at Fiorano. The FXX and the relative package cost a total of 1.5
million euro (excluding taxes) and applications to join the programme are being
evaluated by a special in-house committee. |
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