Engine Automotive

It took more than three decades (and his wife's death) for Enzo Ferrari to officially acknowledge his extramarital son, Piero Lardi Ferrari. Piero is now deputy chairman of the Italian automaker and owns ten percent of the company, but if there's any lingering doubt of his belonging in the family, it should be banished by 2013. That's when Piero joins his father and half brother, Dino, with a Maranello-made sports car bearing his name.

Based on our spy illustration (right), you may have guessed that the Ferrari Piero is the successor to the 2002-2004 Enzo and follows closely to the same formula: a mid-mounted engine, carbon-fiber construction, and a price of well over half a million dollars. But there's also something different, and it's a big deal: turbocharging. In an effort to increase performance -- the Enzo made 650 hp and ran to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds -- and reduce emissions, Ferrari will certainly lower displacement and will likely drop the cylinder count below twelve. Of course, engineers are also looking for places to cut mass, which could mean a sub-3000-pound curb weight for the Piero.As for the new Enzo, Ferrari’s boss has previously confirmed that the successor will receive a twin-turbo V8. The downsizing from the V12 does not, however, imply in any way a shortage on power: the new model has been pegged as having over 700 horses at its disposal. This power will go through a seven-speed sequential gearbox, with a dual-clutch setup to help with the general operating of the car.