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| Pininfarina namesake and boss Sergio Pininfarina leads a team of highly creative artists and artisans. Here in the studio he leans over the Rossa. (Photo: Pininfarina) |
Pininfarina's General Manager and styling boss Lorenzo Ramaciotti and team offered Ferrari a radical approach to the barchetta theme, paying considerable respect to early Testa Rossas in the grille and front fenders in the process. Its long, slender headlights are positioned vertically on the tips of each fender, pointing the marque in an entirely new direction. While concept car themes often show up later in production Ferrari's, thus far only the Rossa's cylindrical taillamps were given the green light (or should that read red), appearing much the same on the latest mid-engine Enzo supercar.
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| A metallic engine shroud protrudes from the otherwise graceful hood, keeping debris from messing up the mechanicals. |
But all said its most eye-catching design element protrudes through an otherwise graceful front hood. Exposed for all to see is a Ferrari's heart and soul, in this case the glorious 5474 cc (334 cu in) V12. The engine comes relatively untouched from the F550, producing 485-hp at 7000 rpm and 419 lb-ft of torque at 5000 rpm. That's a significant 88.6-hp per liter, enough to catapult the Rossa forward with little effort. To put things into perspective the F550 already accelerates with amazingly alacrity, experienced personally in a MY 2000 example. But considering the large coupe's 1774 kg (3911 lb) curb weight the Rossa should be that much quicker if its light weight appearances are any indication. Top speed is an estimated 300 km/h (186.4 mph).