Over the past few months, several reports have surfaced that Ferrari is considering a V8 powerplant for its next-generation supercar. While its displacement and output have remained a mystery — reports have varied from 550 horsepower to 900 — Ferrari GT technical director, Roberto Fedeli, has confirmed that the Prancing Horse is indeed considering a V8 for the next Enzo.
“For us, it’s not just a question of power. We have to choose whether we maintain the shape of the weight-to-power curve of the Enzo with more power or with less weight,” Fedeli told Auto Week. “If we do a [2200-pound] car with the same weight-to-power ratio as the FXX, then you want to save the maximum weight. The best packaging for that kind of car is an eight-cylinder turbo. That would have to be an all-new V8.”
Fedeli also revealed that Ferrari has not ruled out a V12. A decision will likely be made within the next 18 months.
If the engine is to produce the rumored 900 horsepower, it is likely that the V8 would have to be larger in displacement than the 3.0L originally reported. Fedeli’s comments also seem to rule out the use of the 4.3L V8 found in the F430 since he used the term “all-new.”
The SSC Ultimate Aero uses a twin-turbo V8 to produce 1183 horsepower, albeit from a 6.3L powerplant.
