Ferrari FXX-K Evo
Pushing Track Performance to the Edge
The Ferrari FXX-K Evo, introduced in 2017, represented the pinnacle of Ferrari’s XX Program, an elite track-only series that enables Ferrari’s top customers to drive experimental cars while contributing to the brand’s research and development. Evolving from the LaFerrari-based FXX-K, the FXX-K Evo was not only more powerful but also featured improved aerodynamics, lighter construction, and advanced handling systems to deliver a truly unparalleled track experience. Here’s a deep dive into the FXX-K Evo, a masterpiece of Ferrari engineering.
Origins: An Evolution of the FXX-K
The FXX-K Evo was developed as an upgrade to the already-impressive FXX-K, Ferrari’s first hybrid track car released in 2015. The Evo package was designed as both a performance upgrade for existing FXX-K owners and a limited standalone production model. Ferrari’s goal was to enhance the FXX-K’s capabilities through cutting-edge aerodynamics, lighter materials, and a recalibrated driving experience, pushing the boundaries of what the FXX-K could achieve on the track.
The FXX-K Evo showcases Ferrari’s commitment to continuous improvement, taking insights from Formula 1 and the experience gathered from the XX Program to create a car that is both experimental and the most extreme track-focused machine Ferrari had ever produced.
Design and Aerodynamics: A Radical Approach to Downforce
While the FXX-K’s design was already optimized for the track, the FXX-K Evo took aerodynamics to an entirely new level. Ferrari introduced a massive fixed rear wing, supported by two vertical fins, that works in tandem with the rear diffuser and a large central fin running down the car’s spine. This combination not only enhances the downforce significantly but also stabilizes the car at high speeds.
Compared to the FXX-K, the Evo generates 23% more downforce, achieving a total of 640 kg at 124 mph and up to 830 kg at top speeds. The front end of the car was also re-engineered, with redesigned front splitters and dive planes that channel air along the sides of the car, further improving stability and grip.
These improvements allowed the FXX-K Evo to grip the track with unprecedented force, enabling faster cornering speeds and a more planted feel. The aerodynamic advancements also contributed to a more balanced driving experience, especially on high-speed circuits, making it one of the most capable cars Ferrari has ever built.
Lightweight Construction: Stripping Weight for Speed
Ferrari engineers made significant changes to the car’s construction to ensure the FXX-K Evo remained as light as possible, employing extensive use of carbon fiber. This focus on weight reduction yielded a car that was even lighter than the FXX-K, though Ferrari never disclosed the exact weight savings.
By reducing weight and enhancing structural rigidity, Ferrari was able to optimize the FXX-K Evo’s handling and acceleration. These changes were particularly effective in helping the Evo adapt to fast changes in direction, essential for achieving top performance on complex tracks.
Powertrain: An Exhilarating Hybrid Beast
The FXX-K Evo retained the FXX-K’s 6.3-liter V12 engine paired with an electric motor, which together generated a staggering 1,036 horsepower. The V12 alone produced 848 horsepower, while the electric motor added 188 horsepower, delivering instant torque and responsive throttle for precise control.
Ferrari retained the four driving modes from the FXX-K’s hybrid system, allowing drivers to tailor the car’s power delivery and battery usage based on the demands of the track. These modes—Qualify, Long Run, Manual Boost, and Fast Charge—offered flexibility, allowing drivers to push for peak power or maintain energy for longer stints.
The FXX-K Evo’s hybrid system, derived from Ferrari’s Formula 1 technology, provides instant acceleration and enhanced power, making it one of the most exhilarating track experiences available. The electric motor fills in gaps in power delivery, ensuring there is no lag in acceleration, even at lower RPMs.
Handling and Performance: Precision on Every Curve
Ferrari’s engineers equipped the FXX-K Evo with an updated suspension system, calibrated for the Evo’s increased downforce and improved aerodynamics. The car’s double wishbone suspension in the front and multi-link setup in the rear were tuned for precise handling, allowing drivers to navigate tight turns and complex track layouts with ease. Ferrari also updated the car’s electronic Side Slip Control (SSC) system, which maximizes traction while allowing some controlled sliding—perfect for experienced drivers looking to explore the car’s limits.
The FXX-K Evo’s braking system was also upgraded, featuring Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes specifically designed to handle the rigors of high-performance track driving. With these brakes and Ferrari’s innovative ABS system, the FXX-K Evo delivers incredible stopping power and control, ensuring drivers can push hard without sacrificing safety.
The FXX-K Evo is capable of generating G-forces that rival race cars, with cornering capabilities that defy the conventional limits of road-based hypercars. Ferrari’s Pirelli P Zero slick tires were tailored specifically for the Evo’s needs, offering unparalleled grip, especially in high-speed corners.
Interior: A Race-Ready Cockpit
Inside the FXX-K Evo, Ferrari designed a cockpit focused entirely on the driver experience. The seats are bolted directly to the carbon-fiber chassis, with adjustable pedals and steering to fit each driver’s needs. The steering wheel, inspired by Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars, is packed with controls, giving drivers immediate access to adjust performance settings, driving modes, and other functions without taking their hands off the wheel.
A multi-display digital screen provides real-time telemetry, lap times, and power distribution, keeping drivers fully informed and engaged. The car’s minimalistic interior is stripped of any luxury elements, prioritizing function over form, with exposed carbon fiber and racing harnesses as reminders of its singular purpose.
Exclusive Ownership in the XX Program
Ferrari only produced 40 FXX-K Evo models, making it one of the rarest and most exclusive vehicles in the Ferrari lineup. Owners of the FXX-K Evo participate in the XX Program, giving them access to a select number of track events at iconic racing circuits worldwide. Ferrari maintains the car at its facilities and transports it to each event, allowing owners to drive the FXX-K Evo at its full potential with expert support from Ferrari’s team of engineers and technicians.
The XX Program also grants owners the opportunity to provide feedback directly to Ferrari, contributing to the brand’s research and development efforts. Through this program, Ferrari collects valuable data to influence the design and technology in future models, making the FXX-K Evo experience as much about innovation as it is about driving pleasure.
Collectibility and Market Value
With only a few FXX-K Evo models in existence, the car commands a significant premium on the collector’s market. Values have remained high, reflecting the car’s rarity, performance, and place within Ferrari’s prestigious XX Program. Collectors view the FXX-K Evo as a crown jewel, representing a unique blend of Formula 1 technology, cutting-edge hybrid performance, and exclusivity, which all contribute to its desirability and investment potential.
Legacy and Influence
The FXX-K Evo stands as an evolution of Ferrari’s most advanced track car, continuing the legacy of the XX Program and influencing future developments in Ferrari’s lineup. Its lessons in aerodynamics, hybrid technology, and high-speed stability have inspired elements in Ferrari’s more recent supercars, particularly as Ferrari delves deeper into hybrid powertrains and active aerodynamics in both road and track cars.
The Evo’s influence is seen in Ferrari’s latest hybrid offerings, such as the SF90 Stradale, which utilizes electric power to enhance performance. As Ferrari continues to evolve, the FXX-K Evo remains a powerful example of what the brand can achieve when freed from the constraints of road legality and traditional manufacturing limitations.
