Ferrari has been working on a proprietary part-time four-wheel drive system designed for both its mid and front-engined models for the past several years, which the automaker has christened ‘Insertable 4x4’.
Not much has been seen or heard about the system for some time but earlier this year a search of the European Patent Office revealed that Ferrari had applied for a new patent back in February for a four-wheel drive system combined with an electric motor in a sort of hybrid configuration.
Soon after the discovery of the patent, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa revealed that a concept based on the system was in the works and could be...
Ferrari has been working on a proprietary part-time four-wheel drive system designed for both its mid and front-engined models for the past several years, which the automaker has christened ‘Insertable 4x4’. Not much has been seen or heard about the system for some time but earlier this year a search of the European Patent Office revealed that Ferrari had applied for a new patent back in February for a four-wheel drive system combined with an electric motor in a sort of hybrid configuration. Soon after the discovery of the patent, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa revealed that a concept based on the system was in the works and could be on display as early as this December’s 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. An inside source at Ferrari has now revealed to Autocar that the electrically driven four-wheel drive system will be used in the automaker’s front engined GT models and will power the front wheels. Unlike conventional hybrids, the aim of the system is to improve handling rather than improve fuel economy--an area Ferrari isn’t alone in. The system is expected to debut in the replacement for the 612 Scaglietti, which you can see spy shots of here. While the new car will be launched sometime in 2011, the new hybrid four-wheel drive option won’t arrive until 2014. For more information, check out our detailed story by clicking here. [Autocar] Read More

