The F40 carries the reputation of being the last model to have been commissioned and introduced by Enzo
Ferrari himself. It was named F40 to mark the 40th anniversary of Ferrari’s beginnings as an automobile manufacturer. The model served as a celebration of the company and its founder, providing owners with a road-going racecar.
Design
The predecessor to the
Ferrari F50 and FX, the F40 was designed with functionality in mind. Its shape resembled the GTO from which it was descended, and aerodynamic airflow was the principal motivation behind the Pininfarina design. It features a low, smooth nose, precision air intakes, a vented plexiglass engine cover which helps to direct airflow and lower rear diffusers.
The
Ferrari F40’s body is made almost entirely of composites – principally carbon fibre, Nomex and Kevlar, and exists in only one colour – the trademark
Ferrari Rosso Corsa. The shell comprises just 11 main panels, many of which are left unfinished. When the front and rear sections are opened, the drivetrain and radiator are clearly visible.
The chassis bears the full load of the F40. It is constructed from the unmistakeable steel tubes which were a common features of Ferraris of the period. Extra rigidity is added through the use of composite materials for the door sills, floor panels and the roof – indeed, the F40 is almost a unibody construction within a framework of tubular steel.
Engineering
At the heart of the
Ferrari F40 is its 2936cc, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which is capable of producing an incredible 478 bhp at just 7000 rpm. Specific output is measured at 163 bhp per litre, with torque peaking at 424 lb/ft (at 4500 rpm). The original GTO engine was upgraded, with increased displacement, compression ratio and maximum boost pressure. The F40’s clutch and transaxle setup is identical to that employed in the GTO, but gear ratios were refined, resulting in a fully synchronised five-speed manual gearbox and a single-plate, hydraulically actuated clutch.
In terms of suspension, the fully independent setup employed in the GTO was transferred directly to the F40. Roll bars – both front and rear – improved the F40’s stability around corners, and electronically adjustable suspension was available as an optional extra, controlled by an ECU which based its adjustments on road speed.
Interior
The design concept behind the F40 was to provide a street legal vehicle which was capable of racing at the highest level. The result of such a motive was the absence of any unnecessary extras in the cabin. The interior trim is functional, largely unfinished, and there is no provision for an audio system. Controls are to be found around the driver, with only the gear lever and handbrake residing on the centre console. The foot pedals are constructed from drilled aluminium, and the seats are single-piece racing variants, made of Kevlar.
© 2006 Martin Hemmings and Ken Leonard for www.sport-cars.org
April 1, 2008, 10:46 am
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