2008 Ferrari FXX

Not satisfied with the already high performance of the Enzo, Ferrari first built the FXX in 2005 as an ultra-exclusive track version of the supercar which serves as much as a testbed for the Italian manufacturer's Formula 1 technology as it is a luxury for the owners. Without street approval, no owner -- not even ex-F1 driver Michael Schumacher -- is allowed to drive the vehicle in normal road conditions: instead, owners are limited to driving on pre-approved track days and must report their experience back to Ferrari. The exclusivity also extends to the sales period: even with just 30 examples to be built, Ferrari plans to halt the FXX program during 2008 or 2009.

Most every core component is upgraded in the coupe, beginning with the engine. The already strong 6.0-liter, 651 hp V12 of the Enzo has had its engine displacement increased to 6.3 liters, which (along with other enhancements) boosts the FXX engine's overall power to 790 hp at a high 8500 rpm. The increase is enough to push an already quick car to 60 mph in almost exactly three seconds.

One of Ferrari's other key advancements is the transmission: while a six-speed sequential gearbox was already standard equipment with the original car, the FXX uses improvements made in more recent years through the F1 program: shift times have dropped from 150 milliseconds to 80, nearly eliminating shift lag.

Other upgrades beyond the Enzo include improved brake pads to rein in the added power of the car, custom slick 19-inch tires, and a telemetry system that reports information both to the driver as well as to Ferrari's race technicians.

The FXX Evolution kit

Trim options are expectedly absent for the FXX, which will never be used outside of closed circuits. However, Ferrari plans to finish the car's short history with the addition of the Evolution pack.

Without increasing displacement, the automaker will optimize the V12 to generate 848 hp at a near F1-like 9500 rpm. The company has also found ways to reduce the interval between shifts to 60 milliseconds. Airflow and traction control have also been improved in this ultimate version of the car.