Ferrari Mythos Concept
The Pininfarina Ferrari Mythos Concept is one sexy car. The Ferrari Mythos is a mid-engined, rear wheel drive concept car based on the mechanical underpinnings of the Ferrari Testarossa.
Designed by Pininfarina and produced by Ferrari, its world premiere was at the 1989 Tokyo Motor Show.. The Mythos’ body was divided into two distinct sections—front and rear—both of which stretched to meet one another in a linked fashion at the side intakes. Those enormous intakes fed a 390 horsepower, 4.9-liter Tipo F113B flat-12. Unlike the “red-head” it shared its chassis and running gear with, the Mythos sat nearly five-inches wider, was six-inches shorter in length, and three-inches lower in overall height. It was a truly compact supercar.
Pininfarina’s Take
This prototype barchetta based on Ferrari Testarossa mechanicals, is a totally rounded sculptural modelling with a perfect balance between aesthetic and technical rationality. The interior design of the prototype recaptures the spirit of the racing barchettas of the Sixties: two small wraparound seats, a simplified dashboard and down-to-earth door panels.
Starting from the Testarossa mechanicals, this prototype was to develop and radicalize the design problems which arise when engine and radiators are mounted at the rear as it calls for a rear track which is much wider than the front track. The resulting effect here is two intersecting volumes, while the body of the car emerges from a much wider tail. It has been singled out the link with racing cars and in fact neither a hard roof for passenger protection, nor side windows were envisaged. At the rear, higher up, the section of the light cluster band goes from side to side, and above that, the wing-spoiler which is the continuation of the side surfaces. It rests on a central telescopic support which can raise it of 300 mmm, according to the speed, to accentuate the down lift effect, positioning it in an area where the air flow is not disturbed. The bonnets, doors and all the panels of the bodywork are built entirely in carbon fibre. The instrument panel, dashboard, door panel and seats are shells covered in leather.
Specs & Performance
| submitted by | Richard Owen |
| type | Limited Production Car |
| engine | 48 Valave Flat 12 |
| displacement | 4942 cc / 301.6 in³ |
| power | 283.4 kw / 380.0 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 76.89 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 304.0 bhp per tonne |
| torque | -1.0 nm / -1.0 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm |
| driven wheels | Mid Engine / RWD |
| curb weight | 1250 kg / 2756 lbs |
| length | 4305 mm / 169.5 in |
| width | 2098 mm / 82.6 in |
| height | 1064 mm / 41.9 in |
| transmission | 5-Speed Manual |
| top speed | ~289.7 kph / 180.0 mph |
| 0 – 60 mph | ~6.2 seconds |
