Sadikhov explains that Xezri was named after, “a local wind which is in the western part of Caspian sea,” and that it exemplifies an innovative, high-technology solution to the needs of a lightweight car for both the road and track.
It is, he says, “a synthesis of its technological knowledge and its sporting experience,” that embodies, “the quintessence of Ferrari past and present and looks to the Ferrari of the future”.
Sadikhov’s main focus in the design was on increasing downforce through aerodynamics, the deletion of wing mirrors and other drag-inducing components, a flat underbody and deformingaerolastic winglets inspired by the Ferrari 458 Italia.
The young designer from Azerbaijan attempted to reduce weight through extensive use of carbon-fibre on both the exterior and interior. He wanted his design to be seen as, “very original, elegant, pure, modern, simple,” as well as, “dynamic” and, “lightweight, simple and striking”.
Like Rolls-Royce’s Spirit of Ecstasy, the Xezri is, “supposed to look like beauty fluttering in the wind”.
Unique features abound, like the centrally-mounted F1 / jet fighter inspired cockpit with room for only the driver and twin touch-screens in place of wing mirrors and analogue buttons / switches.
There are also two horizontally mounted air propellers that generate electrical power for the interior and gauges when the Xezri is on the move. And that great silver wing, that dominates the design’s top-down view, doubles as both an air intake and an adjustable aerodynamic spoiler.
It is truly an inspired design, and one of the best Sadikhov has produced so far. I think it would be best to leave you with his summary of the design:
“Xezri [is] designed for [the] owner for whom the priority is on uncompromising on-road performance [and] occasional track day capability, but who still demand a car that is useable in day-to-day driving like all Ferrari’s models.”
