2010 Ferrari Millechilli
It may never reach showrooms, but the “Thousand Kilogram” concept points the way to future Ferraris designed to do more with less.
What We Know About the 2010 Ferrari Millechilli
The concept Millechilli stirred journalists’ juices when unveiled during Ferrari’s recent 60th anniversary festivities. Why? Because though it’s only a foam mock-up, with cardboard “wheels” and no interior or running gear, the Millechilli (MEE-lay KEE-lay) embodies the new design philosophy of future Ferrari road cars, starting with a reborn “Dino” that’s expected to premiere at the spring 2008 Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland.
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Basically, Ferrari has decided its future cars must do more with less, just like one of its Formula One racers. The storied Italian company believes it’s the only way to keep its cars relevant–and legal–in the face of global warming, dwindling fossil-fuel reserves, and new government regulations sparked by such concerns. In particular, Ferrari is responding to a hotly debated proposal by the European Union to cap vehicle carbon-dioxide emissions at 120 grams per kilometer. No current Ferrari could hope to meet that standard. Ditto other high-performance cars. But the EU seems likely to pass some sort of tough limit, so Ferrari wants to be prepared. It also knows its “clients” will still demand traditional Prancing Horse performance and roadability, plus practical space and comfort.
Because weight is the enemy of performance, fuel economy, and greenhouse-gas emissions, Ferrari sees its future cars as much lighter and smaller than today’s models, more high-tech and aerodynamically efficient, yet no less spacious. The Millechilli is meant to show what’s possible. At a glance, it looks like Ferrari’s mid-engine Enzo supercar, but a pared-down nose and tail slash overall length to 152.8 inches, five inches shorter than a Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky roadster. Even more important, the reduced size and extensive use of exotic lightweight materials drop curb weight by some 800 pounds to a projected 2205 pounds. That equates to 1000 kilograms–mille chilli in Italian. Cockpit and powertrain space are virtually unchanged, however, thanks in part to a relatively long 104.3-inch wheelbase.
Moreover, a lighter Ferrari can use a smaller, more efficient engine to provide the same performance and likely better fuel economy too. The Millechilli looks to have room for the 483-horsepower 4.3-liter V8 from today’s Ferrari F430, which in coupe form weighs close to 3200 pounds yet does 0-60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. The concept could also easily package a turbocharged V6 of, say, 3.0-liters. Either way, it’s quite a change from the Enzo’s potent but thirsty 660-hp V12. Of course, a smaller, lighter car can also use smaller wheels, brakes, and other components, again without compromising performance or safety–provided you have the engineering smarts, as Ferrari definitely does.
