Simbol Design Lavazza GTX-R is a Ferrari Enzo Wannabe with a BMW V12

Let's face it: buying a supercar is hard. They're expensive, they're hard to insure and if you crash one you're bound to see it posted on Carscoop. So what do you do if you crave the supercar looks but can't stomach the supercar hang-ups? You buy an Italian knockoff, that's what.

This here is the Lavazza GTX-R and yes, it does look a lot like a Ferrari Enzo (with a pinch of Pagani) if you squint...and are drunk...and are wearing sunglasses...at night. Ahem.

If you read the Italian version of the site, power comes from a BMW-sourced 5.4-liter V12 producing 489HP that can accelerate the GTX-R from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in just 4.3 seconds. However, the English-language page makes word of the same V12 with 620HP but a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.6 seconds. Go figure...

Anyway, the GTX-R also comes with a carbon / Kevlar body, tubular steel frame and a 6-speed electro-pneumatic transmission.

Okay, so not quite Enzo beating performance. Still it can be yours for...nope, they're not saying. Oh, and the electro-pneumatic transmission? I'm reliably informed that it's used on busses. Ah well, c'est la vie.

By Tristan Hankins

Image credits: Simboldesign , Via: Seriouswheels

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Crackpot: Greek Asks $800,000+ for Unfinished Ferrari Enzo Replica...

This year, we've seen people asking some crazy sums for their cars on eBay including $250,000 for a modded 1988 BMW 635CSi and almost a million dollars for a car that exists only on paper, the Plymouth Road Runner Concept, but this Enzo replica may very well be the king of all jokers. Dubbed the 2010 Ferrari Enzo prototype (don't tell di Montezemolo), the hand built car was designed by Dimitris Papanagnou from Greece.

The Enzo replica is said to be equipped with an Audi-sourced 3.7-liter V8 engine that pushes out 300HP in Stage I, 500HP in Stage II and 900HP in Stage III. It also comes with an all-wheel drive system - and get this- " it is fully created with materials as carbon fibre - aluminium - and iron titanoum alloyed tubes", whatever that means.

The Italian "beauty" measures 4,800mm in length, 2,144 in width and 1,240mm in height while it rides on 19-inch alloy wheels on 255/35 ZR19 Pirelli tires up front and 335/25 ZR19 at the back.

The designers says that the car is about 97 per cent ready and that if you want to save a few bucks, you can ditch the handmade seats for some pesky... Recaro carbon fiber buckets.

And all this could have been yours (if Papanagnou hadn't remove the ad from eBay today), from a mere $800,000 and upwards (that was the starting price).

Don't get us wrong, we respect anyone who spent the time and money to build a car all by themselves, but tossing four crappy photos and a silly description on eBay for a replica priced at a minimum of $800,000 is like asking for a one way ticket to the loony-bin, or as Athenians might put it, the Dafni.

And just for the record, a quick search on eBay revealed that there's a 2003 Ferrari Enzo -the original- with 9,000 miles on the odometer up for sale with a 'Buy it Now' price of $998,000 or best offer.

Link: eBay , Via: TopSpeed

Videos of Ferrari Enzo, Lamborghini Gallardo & Corvette Z06 going Top Speed on French Highway

There's something about speed and high-end supercars that is dangerously exhilarating for all us petrol heads. It goes without saying that you should never try this at 'home' aka on a public roads, as the following videos were shot on closed sections of French highways with professionals behind the steering wheel. From what we could tell by watching the videos and comparing dashboard close-ups, the Ferrari Enzo managed to reach a top speed of close to 370 km/h or 230mph, the Corvette Z06 HUD showed 334 km/h or 208mph while the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera topped out just below 340km/h or 211mph.

FERRARI ENZO - 370KM/H or 230MPH




LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO SUPERLEGGERA - 340KM/H or 211MPH





CORVETTE Z06 334KM/H or 208MPH

2008 Ferrari FXX Evoluzione

Ferrari unveiled a revised version of the Enzo based track car dubbed FXX Evoluzione (Evolution) and at the same announced that it is extending the FXX programme which was first launched in 2005 for another two years, until 2009. Equipped with a 6.3-litre V12 powerhouse delivering a massive 860 Hp at 9,500 rpm, the FXX Evoluzione is designed exclusively for track driving as it is not homologated for road use.

The deal is you depart a significant amount from your bank account and you become an official client test driver participating in a series of track events that Ferrari is organizing at international circuits for 2008/2009. According to the Italian sports carmaker, six events are planned for each year, two in North America, two in Europe and two in Asia. -Details & high-res images after the jump

Press Release: FXX programme extended for further two years thanks to new evolution kit developed with assistance of Client Test-Drivers

Maranello 28th October 2007 - The innovative FXX programme, based on the eponymous prototype car and launched by Ferrari in June 2005, is being extended to 2008/2009. The FXX, which is the most advanced GT ever created at Maranello, has been updated with an evolution package aimed at further improving its handling and performance. The package was developed as a result of Ferrari's collaboration with its Client Test Drivers and with the invaluable support of Michael Schumacher. The FXXs equipped with this package will also sport a new livery in addition to new rear wing profiles.

The FXX is not homologated for road use and there are no plans to compete with it either. In fact, the FXX prototype is designed exclusively for track driving as part of a specific R&D programme agreed with a selected group of just over 20 clients involving 14 group test sessions and 14 private ones in the last two years. Thanks to readings taken over the 16,500 kilometres of tests carried out in 2006 and the 18,500 kilometres covered in 2007, the modifications made to the car have focused on honing its aerodynamics, running gear and electronics. Seven-times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher also joined the ranks of the client test drivers and gave the programme the benefit of his vast experience on several occasions.

Maranello's engineers studied the wealth of information gained to develop a kit which will cut the FXX's Fiorano lap time to under 1'16'' (previously it was 1'18''). The FXX's 6262 cc V12 engine can now punch out a massive 860 hp at 9500 rpm. Gearshifting takes just 60 ms, a drop of 20 ms on the previous time, and the gear ratios have been adapted to make use of the extra 1000 rpm now delivered by the engine.

The car's new traction control system, developed in close collaboration with the GES Racing Division engineers, gives the driver a choice of no less than nine different settings (plus the off position) which are selected using a switch on the central tunnel. This means that the driver really can modify the car's behaviour on the track from corner to corner, just as the Formula 1 drivers do to maximise performance and reduce tyre wear. The FXX's traction control is also now less invasive and more flexible, adapting more efficiently to the individual driving style of each driver - a requirement pinpointed when this very extreme car was being driven on the track by non-professional drivers.

The FXX's special 19" Bridgestone tyres now last longer too thanks to a new car setup and new front suspension geometry, while the Brembo brakes, which boast large Composite Ceramic Material (CCM) discs, are more efficient with the result that the brake pads last twice as long. Thanks to the drivers' feedback the Ferrari engineers have also developed new aerodynamic solutions aimed at increasing downforce over the rear axle. The FXX now sports a new rear diffuser, nolder and rear flaps which have combined to increase aerodynamic efficiency by 25% overall. The active front spoiler control system settings have been adjusted to take these modifications into account too. New telemetry monitoring of the steering angle and brake pump pressure will further boost the interaction between Client test drivers and the company's engineers also. From next year onwards, it will be possible for drivers to have two extra video cameras mounted on their car in addition the existing rear-facing one. This will, of course, give the drivers excellent rear visibility without having to impinge in any way on the car's aerodynamics.

The FXX evolution package includes participation in a series of track events that Ferrari is organising at international circuits for 2008/2009. Six events are planned for each year (two in North America, two in Europe and two in Asia). In addition to these, the FXXs will also be participating, as per tradition, in the prestigious end-of-season Ferrari World Finals.

As happened in 2006/2007, the cars will be backed up at each event by a 15-member official team made up of engineers, electronics experts and mechanics capable of providing complete assistance to clients. Needless to say, the latter will still be able to organise their own private individual track sessions in their car as well.