Ferrari sees its future cars as much lighter and smaller than today's models, more high-tech and aerodynamically efficient, yet no less spacious. The Millechilli concept is meant to show what's possible.

It may never reach showrooms, but the "Thousand Kilogram" concept points the way to future Ferraris designed to do more with less.

What We Know About the 2010 Ferrari Millechilli

The concept Millechilli stirred journalists' juices when unveiled during Ferrari's recent 60th anniversary festivities. Why? Because though it's only a foam mock-up, with cardboard "wheels" and no interior or running gear, the Millechilli (MEE-lay KEE-lay) embodies the new design philosophy of future Ferrari road cars, starting with a reborn "Dino" that's expected to premiere at the spring 2008 Geneva Auto Show in Switzerland.

Basically, Ferrari has decided its future cars must do more with less, just like one of its Formula One racers. The storied Italian company believes it's the only way to keep its cars relevant--and legal--in the face of global warming, dwindling fossil-fuel reserves, and new government regulations sparked by such concerns. In particular, Ferrari is responding to a hotly debated proposal by the European Union to cap vehicle carbon-dioxide emissions at 120 grams per kilometer. No current Ferrari could hope to meet that standard. Ditto other high-performance cars. But the EU seems likely to pass some sort of tough limit, so Ferrari wants to be prepared. It also knows its "clients" will still demand traditional Prancing Horse performance and roadability, plus practical space and comfort.

Because weight is the enemy of performance, fuel economy, and greenhouse-gas emissions, Ferrari sees its future cars as much lighter and smaller than today's models, more high-tech and aerodynamically efficient, yet no less spacious. The Millechilli is meant to show what's possible. At a glance, it looks like Ferrari's mid-engine Enzo supercar, but a pared-down nose and tail slash overall length to 152.8 inches, five inches shorter than a Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky roadster. Even more important, the reduced size and extensive use of exotic lightweight materials drop curb weight by some 800 pounds to a projected 2205 pounds. That equates to 1000 kilograms--mille chilli in Italian. Cockpit and powertrain space are virtually unchanged, however, thanks in part to a relatively long 104.3-inch wheelbase.

Moreover, a lighter Ferrari can use a smaller, more efficient engine to provide the same performance and likely better fuel economy too. The Millechilli looks to have room for the 483-horsepower 4.3-liter V8 from today's Ferrari F430, which in coupe form weighs close to 3200 pounds yet does 0-60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. The concept could also easily package a turbocharged V6 of, say, 3.0-liters. Either way, it's quite a change from the Enzo's potent but thirsty 660-hp V12. Of course, a smaller, lighter car can also use smaller wheels, brakes, and other components, again without compromising performance or safety--provided you have the engineering smarts, as Ferrari definitely does.

One U.S. source says Ferrari plans to build the Millechilli for sale, starting in 2010, with a turbocharged V10 making over 600 horsepower and a $300,000 price tag. It's a nice idea, but not likely, we think, mainly because the basic Enzo styling is going on six years old.

A more-credible scenario--backed by sightings of test prototypes--is a new "entry-level" Ferrari in the spirit of the much-loved V6 Dino from the late 1960s and early 1970s. Though Maranello denies it plans any such thing, spy photographers have glimpsed test "mules" with shortened Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano bodies, suggesting something new is actually in the works. One British report says that something is a front-engine replacement for the mid-engine F430, known in-house as project F142. It will be another two-seater, but will have a two-piece power-folding hard top, thus obviating the need for separate coupe and convertible models. In line with Ferrari's new "think small" philosophy, F142 is rumored to have a smaller V8 than the F430, but will pack more power thanks to a turbocharger and adoption of direct fuel injection. Also expected are a racing-style "pushrod" suspension, a so-called "ballistic" valvetrain said to maximize high-rpm power, and a system that allegedly uses braking energy to compensate for momentary torque loss during upshifts. Like the Ferrari it replaces, the F142 should be available with a straight six-speed manual transmission and Ferrari's "F1" automated manual.

Best of all, we won't have long to wait for this leaner but meaner street-legal Ferrari. The F142 may not be a driveable Millechilli, but it shapes up as an exciting kickoff for Ferrari's next 60 years.

A Notable Feature of the 2010 Ferrari Millechilli

"Racing improves the breed" is not just a fine old truism at Ferrari. More than most automakers, this company is famous for road cars that incorporate lessons learned at the racetrack, a link that looms large the Ferrari mystique. The Millechilli is no different except in the amount of racing-derived technology it employs. A weight-saving all-aluminum inner structure isn't news anymore, but the concept does envision a lightweight transmission case made of pricey titanium, plus carbon-ceramic brakes, copious carbon-fiber body panels, and track-tested chassis-control software. And despite the "baby Enzo" appearance, Ferrari has made some subtle aerodynamic enhancements, including small "tunnels" that direct air in such a way as to reduce rear-end drag and lift, this to optimize high-speed stability. As noted, the Millechilli is a "pushmobile" with no interior, but Ferrari says a production model would have few power assists, plus fixed seats, a fixed-steering-wheel hub, and manual adjustment for the steering-wheel rim and the foot pedals--all for the sake of that 1000 kilo target.

Buying Advice for the 2010 Ferrari Millechilli

If we're right and that U.S. source is wrong, you won't be able to buy a drivable Millechilli at any price. You'll just have to settle for the F142, an exciting new Ferrari in its own right.

2010 Ferrari Millechilli Release Date: As noted, the F142 is expected to debut at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show next spring. The Millechilli will probably remain a concept, but we hope we're wrong and that a production version will, in fact, join the Ferrari stable around 2010.

First Test Drive: Media previews for the F142 should be staged over the winter of 2007-08, likely at some sunny Mediterranean venue. The Millechilli, if it goes to production, probably wouldn't be previewed before late 2009.

2010 Ferrari Millechilli Prices: That predicted $300,000 tag sure seems plausible for a production Millechilli, however implausible the car itself. As for the more-realistic F142, it's likely to cost the same as an F430, around $250,000, but could be more depending on how expensive it is to build. We'll know soon enough.

For more information on hundreds of new cars of today and tomorrow, check out:

• Consumer Guide New Car Reviews and Prices: Road test results, photos, specifications, and prices for hundreds of new cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs from the Auto Editors of Consumer Guide.
• Ferrari: Read Consumer Guide's full reports, including ratings, prices, specifications, and fuel economy.
• Exotic Cars: The 2010 Ferrari Millechilli will compete in the exotic car class.
• Fuel-economy leaders: The EPA admits its fuel economy numbers are estimates. Ours are real. Here are the fuel-economy leaders as determined in Consumer Guide tests.
• Future Cars: Check out what's just on the horizon.