Ferrari's stunning Enzo has made its long-awaited Thai public debut, more than two years after the 6.0-litre V12 powered supercar first appeared in public.

The occasion has been this weeks 21st Thailand International Motor Expo 2004, an event that has grown into one of the region's most important showcases over the last decade.

To emphasise this point all three of the prestige Italian sportscar builders: Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati, are present in strength. Lamborghini have brought their new Murcielago Roadster and the 5.0-litre V10 mid-size Gallardo, while Maserati have weighed in with the Quattroporte super-luxury saloon and the ever-popular 4.2-litre V8 Spyder.

However it is the Enzo that steals the show, as it has done ever since this car was first presented in concept form, known by just the codename 'FX', during February 2002 at a Ferrari exhibition in Tokyo.

A pure transfer of Formula 1 technology to the road, the Enzo, named after the marque's legendary founder, is a true successor to the F40 and F50 line, as it pushes the supercar boundaries forward.
 

Under the bonnet was an all-new 4-valves per cylinder 5998cc 65º V12 unit. With the assistance of variable valve timing the engine achieves 8,200rpm, a top end in excess of other in-production supercars, including the Lamborghini Murcielargo, Pagini Zonda and Edonis.

The all-new 225kg V12 pumps out 660bhp at 7800rpm, again a figure that is higher than the Enzo's V12 competitors, while maximum torque is 485 lb/ft. Each of the four camshafts has continuous variable cam phasing, the first time Ferrari have introduced valve timing to both banks of a production model. The, F1 derived variable geometry intake manifold uses a system of small telescopic pumps activated by a hydraulic activator to allow power and peak torque to be maintained.

Ground-breaking road car aerodynamics, an unrivalled chassis and mechanicals saw the Enzo raise the supercar bar, and now it is the star, this time in Thailand.