Ferrari bike on the cards?
Posted by automobz on September 29, 2008
Attempts at developing a Ferrari motorcycle have been many, but what I came across a few days back may well be the closest that anyone has gotten close to a working model or a prototype example. History books have pages that celebrate Ferrari’s motorcycling efforts. In the 1950s, Alfredo Ferrari raced specially developed motorcycles while in 1970s, performance and precision firm, Kay Engineering produced a one-off example to honour Enzo Ferrari. Then there was a chopper designed by legendary designer Arlen Ness in the 1980s. One Mr. Michael Schumacher was presented with a Scuderia Ferrari chopper at his retirement.
The latest in motorcycling world from the Scarlet Italian is this – a V4 engined attempt to take on the two-wheeler segment by storm. I would not like to elaborate on the looks of the bike, but would just say that this is one of the ugliest machines I’ve ever come across. Agreed that the whole form is to enhance the aero package and lower the drag co-efficient, but come on, a Ducati 1098 was also developed keeping such aspects in mind, and boy is she a looker!
The V4 engine is derived from Ferrari Enzo’s block. The oil sump was moved forward and engine’s lower case was reshaped to a mono block gearbox that also acts as a support to the swing-arm. The engine is both air and water cooled. The forks are made from aluminium chassis and the front suspension is based on a heavy duty piston that is controlled by hydraulic pressure regulator/ valve. The front brake arrangement is an outer disc type with dual callipers. This type of brake arrangement eliminates the need for load-bearing spokes resulting in lightened front-end assembly. There is a human interface with touch-screen technology mounted atop the fuel tank. All important information can be diagnosed and accessed from there. The same screen can also act as a GPS device, radio and an instrument console.
Ducati has always been Ferrari of the biking world, but the Prancing Horse is now thinking seriously of storming into the motorcycle world with a high-performance product. Coming from a marque like Ferrari, be sure that the V4 engine will deliver performance to be envied. Looks that are controversial will only add to the publicity of the bike, which is a good thing always. When will this concept see the light of day? Only god know, or the folks at Maranello.
