Under the Pen: Ferrari F40

inspired by Mr. Turpentine's Paths to Design entry. I decided to resurrect something I always wanted to do. Back when I just started this whole car craze, there was an article in Automobile Magazine that I adored. In each issue they would analyse a vehicle inch by inch and highlight specific features of its design. In this issue I will analyse the Ferrari F40, fastest production automobile [1987-1990], first production vehicle to break the 200mph barrier [201mph] and the last Ferrari to hold a top speed record. The F40 was the last vehicle commissioned by Enzo Ferrari himself. It also served as a celebration of Ferrari's [the company] 40th birthday. Despite being eclipsed by faster and more technologically advanced cars, the F40 serves as the last "manual" supercar. It was a raw as suchi, bare as bones, focused race car for the road. Hopefully my analysis will help to show up the reason certain parts are in certain areas. Feel free to ask questions. Hopefully my next edition of this will have a better layout.

The Ferrari F40's design mission was to reduce weight and increase top speed via better aerodynamics. Another implementation into the design was the need to cool the big nuclear reactor of an engine behind the passenger's compartment.

By removing everything except for the seats, the weight was kept to an amazing 1100kg [which is about one laptop lighter than a new Mini] Aerodynamics brought it to its 201mph top speed with only 478hp [in comparison most vehicles with 500hp struggle to scrape 200mph]. And the fact that I haven't heard any horror stories means that the beast was cooled.

Together it did 3.8s 0-60 times and 11.6s 1/4mile times [Mc Merc SLR does roughly the same times with 150hp more the SLR however is 20mph faster at the top]