The Ferrari FXX-K Evo is Ferrari’s latest addition and upgrade to the Ferrari XX programme. Launched in 2005, the XX programme lets a small, highly-select group of Ferrari clients take part in the research and development of future Ferrari racecars. The new FXX-K Evo, unveiled at the recent Finali Mondiali, marks a significant evolution of the XX programme.
XXclusiveness and Ferrari
Cars in the Ferrari XX programme, like the FXX-K Evo and its predecessors, are not homologated for road use, and will not be used in competition outside the programme. With no need to worry about homologation concerns or the rules that race cars are restricted by, these cars remove barriers to experimentation. They allow Ferrari to test on them what they cannot on road or race cars.
Members of the programme get to test out these technological innovations as they’re being developed. They also get to give feedback to Ferrari engineers on the technology, with their firsthand experience. An example of tech that started out in the XX programme would be the advanced aero package from the 599XX that was incorporated into the 599 GTO, and into subsequent Ferrati road cars.
However, membership in the Ferrari XX programme is an incredibly exclusive thing. Not just because of the hefty price tag affixed to each car, but also in terms of the highly-select nature of who gets to buy them. For example, all 40 FXX-Ks, the predecessor to the FXX-K Evo, were sold to dedicated Ferrari clientele before news of the programme was released to the wider world.
In keeping with its predecessors, the FXX-K Evo will be available as an extremely limited-run model, and as an upgrade package for the existing XX cars.
An Evolution Right Before Your Eyes
As befitting its status as a “laboratory car”, the FXX-K Evo has some pretty experimental features.
Most significantly, the FXX-K Evo is somehow lighter than the previous FXX-K, despite introducing new elements. It draws on Ferrari’s Formula 1 experience and adopts innovative carbon-fibre components to produce a lighter car.
The FXX-K Evo’s aerodynamics are also pretty impressive, delivering downforce figures very close to those of the cars competing in the GT3 and GTE championships. Its downforce coefficient is 23% better than the previous version. This translates to a 75% increase on the road car from which it is derived. Downforce of 640kg is generated at 200km/h, and exceeds 830kg at the car’s red-line speed.
This downforce level is boosted by a twin-profile fixed wing on the tail. This new addition works in seamless synergy with the active rear spoiler. In fact, the pressure fields developed by the two downforce-generating systems support and amplify each other. Two side fins and a central fin support the twin-profile rear wing. The central fin doesn’t just boost stability at low yaw angles. It also supports the action of the three delta vortex generators.
These vortex generators don’t just clear the flow field from the hot air vented onto the bonnet. They also create a downwash component in the flow. This boosts the twin-profile’s downforce capacity, resulting in a 10% increase in downforce.
Of course, that’s only just touching the tip of the changes to the Ferrari FXX-K Evo. There are more, from the introduction of vortex generators on the undertray, to new front brake air intakes, to the new steering wheel that is Formula 1 derived, with integrated gear-shifting paddles.
The Ferrari FXX-K Evo In Action
The FXX-K Evo will undergo about 5,000km of development runs and 15,000km of reliability test-drives. Following that, it will become a very active protagonist in the XX programme in the 2018/2019 season. This season spans nine track outings in all, between early March to end October. As is now traditional, the XX cars will also be taking part in the prestigious Finali Mondiali weekend.
