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First Ferrari Hybrid Likely To Be A V-12

First Ferrari Hybrid Likely To Be A V-12

Viknesh Vijayenthiran September 15th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author September 15th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 Governments around the world are bowing to public pressure to reduce levels of greenhouse gases their respective countries produce, and more often than not, the first sector they look at is the auto industry. Here in the U.S. the government has imposed a tough 35.5 mpg fleet-wide fuel economy standard for 2016, while in Europe the government wants to put a limit on CO2 levels--something that could have disastrous effects for niche players like Ferrari. In fact, the changes have Ferrari so worried that engineers for both its F1 division and road cars are hard at work developing methods to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of its engines. Ferrari’s management has maintained that any reduction of CO2 levels will not come at the cost of performance but recognize that it has a tough challenge on its hands. Speaking at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, Ferrari boss Amadeo Felisa has now revealed that the company’s first production hybrid model is likely to be fitted with a V-12 engine. However, he conceded that it will be some time until the model arrives as battery technology is not at the level Ferrari requires. Felisa stressed that the V-12 engine is here to stay and that other plans for reducing fuel consumption, such as introducing equally potent turbocharged V-8 engines, won’t phase out the big mills anytime soon. Earlier this year Felisa revealed that a concept based on Ferrari’s hybrid system was in the works, and is likely headed to the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. His comments came after the leak of some official patent filings revealing schematics for a four-wheel drive hybrid system. Furthermore, former Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo also revealed plans for a 599 prototype testing Ferrari’s new hybrid technology. Before any hybrid, however, we’ll see 'simple' fuel saving features, such as engine stop-start and more direct-injection technology, make their way onto Ferrari’s road cars. [Autocar]

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

Enlarge Photo

Governments around the world are bowing to public pressure to reduce levels of greenhouse gases their respective countries produce, and more often than not, the first sector they look at is the auto industry. Here in the U.S. the government has imposed a tough 35.5 mpg fleet-wide fuel economy standard for 2016, while in Europe the government wants to put a limit on CO2 levels--something that could have disastrous effects for niche players like Ferrari. In fact, the changes have Ferrari so worried that engineers for both its F1 division and road cars are hard at work developing methods to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of its engines.

Ferrari’s management has maintained that any reduction of CO2 levels will not come at the cost of performance but recognize that it has a tough challenge on its hands.

Speaking at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, Ferrari boss Amadeo Felisa has now revealed that the company’s first production hybrid model is likely to be fitted with a V-12 engine. However, he conceded that it will be some time until the model arrives as battery technology is not at the level Ferrari requires.

Felisa stressed that the V-12 engine is here to stay and that other plans for reducing fuel consumption, such as introducing equally potent turbocharged V-8 engines, won’t phase out the big mills anytime soon.

Earlier this year Felisa revealed that a concept based on Ferrari’s hybrid system was in the works, and is likely headed to the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. His comments came after the leak of some official patent filings revealing schematics for a four-wheel drive hybrid system. Furthermore, former Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo also revealed plans for a 599 prototype testing Ferrari’s new hybrid technology.

Before any hybrid, however, we’ll see 'simple' fuel saving features, such as engine stop-start and more direct-injection technology, make their way onto Ferrari’s road cars.

[Autocar]

Tags: Supercars, hybrid

Posted in: Ferrari, News, Hybrid


Comments (5 total)

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  1. By jontam #1, Posted: 5/30/2007

    they should just class them as light trucks, like the americans do with their SUVs

  2. By admin #2, Posted: 5/31/2007

    Good idea. The next Ferraris might come with drum brakes then.

  3. By HECTOR #3, Posted: 5/31/2007

    I am of the opinion that the horsepower war is getting out of hand. Ferrari already has two models over 600bhp, top speeds that will never be reached by their owners and 0-60 times only topped by teleportation.

    If they want to try hybrid technology I'm all for it AS LONG as they don't sacrifice any Ferrari-ness in the process. Using a hybrid engine on a Ferrari must be a matter of *because we can do it and still kick ass* and not *because the bleeding heart tree huggers are mad at our V12 engines*.

    PS - I'd take a 599GTB chassis even with a Prius engine under the hood. God that car is gorgeous!

  4. By mx_tifosi #4, Posted: 6/7/2007

    I believe brake-energy regeneration is a good idea, considering F1 might use the technology in 4 years time (approx), it would even be another good marketing scheme to sell their road cars (F1 Technology > Road Car). IIRC, the e92 m3 uses it as well, and it is a 2008 model.

  5. fb_100000275684479 avatar by Michael Escobar #5, Posted: 9/19/2009

    I'd be perfectly happy with a Ferrari V12 hybrid with stop-start tech and a refined version of KERS. Instant(green) torque from the electric motor, then the V12 power kicks in to aid it. Thinking combined output of ~700hp, 800lb-ft. all while getting 30mpg. Should debut in 2016 or when swine flew.

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