The Ferrari F50 (Type F130) is a mid-engine range-topping sports car manufactured by Italian automobile manufacturer Ferrari from 1995–1997. Introduced in 1995, the car is a two-door, two seat targa top. The car is powered by a 4.7 L naturally aspirated Tipo F130B 60-valve V12 engine that was developed from the 3.5 L V12 used in the 1990 Ferrari 641 Formula One car. The car's design is an evolution of the 1989 Ferrari Mythos concept car.
Only a total of 349 cars were made with the last car rolling off the production line in July 1997.
The F50's engine predated the car; it was used in the Ferrari 333 SP for the American IMSA GT Championship in 1994, allowing it to become eligible for the stock engine World Sports Car category.
Racing
Following the motorsport theme of the Ferrari F40 LM, Ferrari developed the F50 based F50 GT in collaboration with its racing partners Dallara and Michelotto to compete in GT1-class racing. Notable changes made to the car include a fixed roof, a large rear spoiler, new front spoiler, adjustable suspension system, Speedline racing alloy wheels with racing slicks and a large rear diffuser. The 4.7-litre V12 engine in the F50 GT was tuned to generate a power output of around 551 kW (749 PS; 739 hp) at 10,500 rpm. A test held in 1996 proved the car to be quicker even than the 333SP, but this went unnoticed as Ferrari cancelled the F50 GT project due to entry of purpose built racing cars in competition such as the Porsche 911 GT1 and due to lack of funding, instead focusing on Formula One after the BPR Global GT Series folded. Ferrari sold off the three complete chassis that were built - the test car 001, 002 and 003. Chassis 002 and 003 had bodies fitted before being sold. The remaining three tubs were reportedly destroyed.
Specifications
General
Manufactured in: Maranello, Italy
Number produced: 349 (1995 to July 1997)
Inspiration: 1990 Ferrari 641 as driven by Alain Prost
Dimensions
Dry weight: 1,230 kg (2,712 lb)
Distribution: 42%/58 % (front/rear)
Length: 4,480 mm (176.4 in)
Height: 1,120 mm (44.1 in)
Width: 1,986 mm (78.2 in)
Wheelbase: 2,581 mm (101.6 in)
Front track: 1,621 mm (63.8 in)
Rear track: 1,603 mm (63.1 in)
Engine
Type: Tipo 036-derived, model SFE 4.7 VJGAEA, Tipo F130 B
Specific output.: 81.3 kW (110.5 PS; 109.0 bhp)/litre
Weight/Power ratio: 2.69 kg/PS
Bore X Stroke: 85 mm × 69 mm (3.35 in × 2.72 in)
Bore:Stroke ratio: 1.23:1 (oversquare)
Compression ratio: 11.3:1
Redline: 8,500 rpm
Fuel cutoff: 8,640 rpm
Fuel feed: Bosch Motronic 2.7 sequential injection and Electronic control unit (controls the fuel feed, ignition timing, and variable length intake and exhaust systems)
Torsional stiffness: 34,570 N·m (25,500 lb·ft) per degree
Suspension
Front: Rose-jointed unequal-length wishbones, push-rods, coil springs, Bilstein gas-pressurised monotube dampers, electronic adaptive damping, electronic height adjustment (40 mm max)
Rear: Rose-jointed unequal-length wishbones, push-rods, coil springs, Bilstein gas-pressurised monotube dampers, electronic adaptive damping, mounting points on a spacer between the engine and gearbox
Type: TRW rack and pinion, 3.3 turns lock to lock, unassisted
Caster angle: 5.5 to 5.7 degrees
Turning circle: 41 ft (12 m)
Miscellaneous
Electronic adaptive damping (based on steering wheel angle and velocity, the body’s vertical and longitudinal acceleration, brake line pressure, and vehicle speed)
Maximum reaction time (from minimum to maximum damping force or vice versa): 140 milliseconds (0.14 s)
Average reaction time (from minimum to maximum damping force or vice versa): 25 to 30 milliseconds (.025 to .03 s)
Wheels/tires/brakes
Wheels: magnesium alloy, manufactured by Speedline
Automotive magazine Car and Driver tested an F50 in 1997 and published the following results:
0-48 km/h (30 mph): 1.7 seconds
0-64 km/h (40 mph): 2.4 seconds
0-80 km/h (50 mph): 3.0 seconds
0–97 km/h (60 mph): 3.8 seconds
0–110 km/h (70 mph): 4.7 seconds
0–130 km/h (80 mph): 5.5 seconds
0–140 km/h (90 mph): 7.5 seconds
0–160 km/h (100 mph): 8.5 seconds
0–180 km/h (110 mph): 10.1 seconds
0–190 km/h (120 mph): 11.6 seconds
0–210 km/h (130 mph): 13.4 seconds
0–230 km/h (140 mph): 15.9 seconds
0–240 km/h (150 mph): 18.8 seconds
0–260 km/h (160 mph): 21.8 seconds
0–270 km/h (170 mph): 26.8 seconds
1/4 mile: 12.1 seconds at 198 km/h (123 mph)
Skidpad: 0.95g
Braking 70–0 mph (113–0 km/h): 176 ft (54 m)
Top speed: 312 km/h (194 mph) (325 km/h (202 mph) claimed)
Track Tests
The F50 had the following track times:
Tsukuba Circuit: 1:05.81
Suzuka Circuit (2000): 2:25.525
Sugo: 1:38.573
In 2016, an F50 joined Top Gear's Nürburgring Nordschleife challenge in Germany. It completed the track in 7:47, 3 seconds faster than the Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat but 28 seconds slower than the Mercedes-AMG GT R.
Other media
The F50 is featured on the cover and in the racing video game Need For Speed II.
References
Bibliography
Buckley, Martin; Rees, Chris (1998). World Encyclopedia of Cars. London: Anness Publishing. ISBN 1-84038-083-7.
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