Ferrari Enzo vs. McLaren F1

[Beetle]

Ferrari and McLaren are most likely the two most famous race car manufacturers in the world. The classic battle rages in Formula 1 and in the Supercar World now. It used to be the McLaren F1 versus the Ferrari Enzo, now it's the McLaren MP4-12C versus the Ferrari 458 Italia. And, starting in the near future, it will go back to the epic battle: the Enzo versus the F1. I thought we'd start a thread here about these two Supercars of the future.

Ferrari Enzo
Coming: 2013
Power: 800 HP+ with KERS and 125 HP extra of electric motor, V12

Ferrari will unveil its new limited-edition Enzo hybrid at year's end, according to Chairman Luca di Montezemolo.

The CEO's brief confirmation of the widely rumored and much-anticipated Ferrari hybrid was contained in the company's year-end financial statement released last week.

"We have a complete new model range brimming with technological innovations, and which deliver significant reductions in fuel consumption and emissions, down by 30 percent on average. At the end of the year, we'll also be unveiling the new Enzo, a limited-series model and our first ever hybrid car," Montezemolo said.

Known internally as F70, the Enzo hybrid is aimed at such new-generation supercars as the $600,000 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid and Jaguar's $1.2-million C-X75. The Enzo is tipped to feature an 800-horsepower 7.3-liter V12, mated with a KERS system and a 120-hp electric motor.

McLaren F1
Coming: 2015
Power: Larger version of MP4-12C's 3.8 liter twin turbo V8, hybrid electric motor, KERS

WHAT IT IS: The replacement for the mighty McLaren F1. For those who don’t remember the original F1, know that it was a 618-hp carbon-fiber missile that cost $1,000,000 back in the mid-’90s. The F1’s replacement will be an ultralightweight road dart that will deliver Bugatti Veyron–like performance but with less than 1000 horsepower. Unlike the styling pastiche that is the MP4-12C, the new F1 will be a forward-thinking design by McLaren’s Frank Stephenson; he described it to us as a “cross between a falcon, a sailfish, and a cheetah.”

WHY IT MATTERS: The world has waited for a replacement ever since McLaren discontinued the F1 in 1998.

PLATFORM: Initial reports indicate that the F1 successor will be loosely based on the carbon-fiber structure of the MP4-12C. Unlike the original, there won’t be three seats with the driver in the middle; this version will be a conventional two-seater. Switching body panels from fiberglass and aluminum to carbon fiber will save a few pounds versus the MP4-12C.

POWERTRAIN: While the original received a tailor-made BMW 6.0-liter V-12, the successor will get a more powerful and modified—perhaps larger—version of the MP4-12C’s 3.8-liter twin-turbo V-8.  A “kinetic energy recovery system” similar to what’s used in Formula 1 will allow the car to recoup energy under braking and store it in either a flywheel or a battery. The stored energy will then be used to power an electric motor to augment the twin-turbo V-8 on demand.

COMPETITION: Ferrari’s Enzo replacement, Lamborghini Aventador.

WHAT MIGHT GO WRONG: McLaren may decide to give the car a part number instead of a real name.

ESTIMATED ARRIVAL AND PRICE: The company has its hands full with the MP4-12C and its new factory. The F1 replacement should arrive in about 2015, with a price tag in the $700,000-to-$800,000 range.

Comments?

[wnut]

They can keep anything that has a KERS system, not the slightest appeal!

[BertMk2]

Neither of them are lookers are they?

[nicanary]

Originally Posted by BertMk2

Neither of them are lookers are they?

The final results will be, you can be sure of that.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by nicanary

The final results will be, you can be sure of that.

Right on.

[DS"]

The Ferrari Enzo looks pretty rad; it actually reminds me of the old Group 4 sportscars. Too bad the FIA won't create a category for these cars at Le Mans.

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by DS"

The Ferrari Enzo looks pretty rad; it actually reminds me of the old Group 4 sportscars. Too bad the FIA won't create a category for these cars at Le Mans.

In its current guise, it reminds me of a Daytona Prototype.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by wnut

They can keep anything that has a KERS system, not the slightest appeal!

Last car I drove with a hybrid system gave an extra 30hp (about 15%). While not a supercar as above, it was useful. Now make that supercar: another 125hp? Keep it? Give it me!