Profile of the Ferrari Enzo

Let's clear up the first bit of confusion about this car: the Ferrari Enzo was named for the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It was introduced in 2002, and only 399 were ever built, making it one of the most exclusive supercars -- even for a Ferrari. Italian design firm Pininfarina did the pen work for the body's striking curves and intakes, while Ferrari's own Formula 1 experiences came into play for the power plant.

The Ferrari Enzo used an all-new, massive 6-liter V12 engine mounted over the rear wheels. It was the first time all the on-board electronics were able to work together to calculate the necessary dynamics for best performance. The six-speed semi-automatic gearshift in the Enzo was attached directly to the engine, reducing shifting times to 150 milliseconds. It was also the first time a road-going Ferrari wore carbon ceramic brakes, though the Scuderia had been using them for years. The Enzo finally had enough "go" to require extra "stop."

Those rakish curves and giant nostrils are not just for show -- though they are pretty showy. The pointed shape in the front is Pininfarina's homage to the Scuderia cars of Formula 1, which lent so much technology to the Ferrari Enzo. The front and side intakes keep air flowing to the massive engine in the rear, while wind-tunnel-tested ground effects do the work of keeping the car glued to the pavement at speed. Notice that there isn't a big flashy wing on the rear of the car -- you'll have to find some other way to get noticed in a Ferrari Enzo.

As the car was sculpted from yard after yard of carbon fiber, the material was left unmasked throughout the cabin. The carbon-fiber seats could be ordered in a variety of sizes and positions to fit the driver, with F1-style switches and controls on the dashboard. Ferrari's goal was to create a road-going supercar with the same "human-machine interface" that had been developed for the track.

• Engine: rear-mid-mounted 6-liter V12
• Horsepower: 660 hp
• Torque: 484 lb-ft
• Top speed: 217 mph
• 0-62 mph: 3.4 seconds
• Price: $670,000 new