Super Ferrari: Gemballa MIG-U1

LEONBERG, Germany — Uwe Gemballa wasn't content just to make fast Porsches faster. Now his crew is bent on reviving — and injecting even more oomph into — the Ferrari Enzo, which Gemballa is recasting as the MIG-U1.

Aiming for a limited run of 25 cars, Gemballa has reworked the Enzo's aerodynamics, adding appropriate carbon-fiber bits that give the Maranello mauler much more of a techie Teutonic flavor. Active aero components include a front spoiler lip and a rear wing that increase downforce and improve high-speed handling. Gemballa also provides additional cooling ducts for the brakes and engine compartment, with inlets on the roof and behind the doors.

The Germans have tried to make the MIG-U1 a bit more livable with such niceties as an optional electrohydraulic height adjustment function which, at the touch of a button, lifts the body by 1.8 inches — particularly useful when negotiating such urban obstacles as speed bumps. The car automatically lowers itself back to the original position at speeds above 50 mph.

Gemballa adds forged alloy wheels, shod with 265/35R19 rubber in front and 335/30R20 in the rear.

The massive Ferrari V12 has been gently massaged to produce 691 horsepower, largely the result of an upgraded ECU and a freer-flowing exhaust with quad tailpipes and pneumatic flap control.

The cockpit also gets the Gemballa touch, with redesigned seats, center console and steering wheel rendered in leather and Ultrasuede. There is also a high-end multimedia system with 950 watts of power, a DVD changer, a 7-inch touchscreen and, of course, an iPod connection.

Inside Line says: And just to ensure exclusivity, Gemballa promises to custom-tailor each MIG-U1 to its owner's personal taste. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent