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Report: Ferrari Considering Turbocharged Engines

 
10 5,420 views Nov 11, 2009
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It won't power appear in the new 458 Italia or even the FXX experimental car but a turbocharged engine might power one of the next-generation cars from Ferrari.

The Italian automaker has ruled out nothing in terms of technology as it works to keep high-performance a priority while accommodating strict emissions rules, and turbocharging is one such technology that has been successful in the past.

The only problem is turbo-lag, according to Ferrari engine developer Jean-Jacques His.

Speaking with Autocar, he said: “Turbocharging will come eventually, but we need to solve the issue of turbo lag.” He went on to explain that a delay of any sort before the power arrived was unacceptable for a Ferrari engine.

Earlier this year we saw leaked patent sketches of a V-8 powertrain with a twin-turbocharger arrangement. Rather than a large single turbo, the engine in the patent goes the BMW-route of two smaller turbochargers in order to reduce lag and provide an even power band.

Already the automaker has begun to employ some small technological tools to keep power up while reducing fuel consumption. The recently released California uses the company's first direct-injection engine, for example. Other developments include more dual-clutch transmission applications and an advanced hybrid all-wheel drive system.

[Autocar]





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Comments (10)

  1. By Roy Posted: 11/11/2009 7:45am PST

    Where is the historical perspective?
    1, Ferrari has messed around with turbochargers before in Formula 1 and then in road cars like the 288 GTO and the F40.
    2, Using two small turbochargers to minimize lag is not the "BMW route". That set-up was used extensively in the nineties by a variety of Japanese manufacturers, including Nissan (300ZX), Mazda (RX-7), etc, etc.
    I'm sure there are others, too.
     
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  2. By Uncle Bobby B Posted: 11/11/2009 8:31am PST

    Mmmm. Nothing like the hiss of a turbo. You start by running that engine up the RPM gauge. But don't be hasty, you gotta treat her right. First you slowly move her up to 2 or 3 thousand RPMs until she starts to pant and gasp. Then work a little harder to get her around 4 or 5 thousand RPMs so she starts to moan. Then you better grab something and hold on tight. You gonna be driving her up to 6 or 7 thousand RPMs so her turbo starts hissing and she starts screaming Shift Me! Shift Me!
    Then you relax. Have a smoke. Let her purr down to a cool 1 or 2 thousand RPMs.
    Oh yeah, you've just been driven by Uncle Bobby B baby, Uncle Bobby B
     
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  3. By Uncle Bobby B Posted: 11/11/2009 12:16pm PST

    Don't we all Dean.
     
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  4. By bepsf Posted: 11/11/2009 3:58pm PST

    "Where is the historical perspective?"
    Obviously the 20-something blogger of this article thinks doesn't understand "Historical Perspective" anymore than he does quality journalism...
     
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  5. fb_630537476 avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran Posted: 11/11/2009 7:44pm PST

    To Roy and bepsf,
    I have referred to the turbocharged engine of the F40 several times in the past ( http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1025838_ferrari-enzo-replacement-could-get-v8-power ) and in my latest story I clearly state that “turbocharging is one such technology that has been successful in the past.” And yes, I am well aware of the turbocharged F1 era (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1028458_turbos-may-return-to-f1-by-2011).
    As for the “BMW route” twin-turbocharger statement, I referred to BMW because of the modern context and the variety of twin-turbocharged engines the automaker currently has on sale, which more of our readers will be familiar with.
     
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  6. azlan avatar azlan Posted: 11/11/2009 10:13pm PST

    what made the f40 so exciting to drive was the lag in some respects, i drove one a few years back and it scared me when the turbo wound up but it was addictive! thats what id want from a new turbo ferrari engine =D
     
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  7. By Skeptic Posted: 11/12/2009 12:09am PST

    In certain markets where taxation is keyed to engine displacement (including Italy), Ferrari has employed turbocharged engines in their road cars in the past. The 208 GTB/GTS circa 1982 is probably the first.
     
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  8. fb_608456525 avatar Adrian West Posted: 11/12/2009 2:04am PST

    Ferrari's are slowly becoming more and more exciting! From all the news stories of late, the car that replaces the Enzo will be ridiculous!!!
     
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  9. By  r4i software Posted: 11/12/2009 2:16am PST

    Not widely known for their use of forced aspiration, this would be relatively new waters for Ferrari. Fortunately for them, there are many, many manufacturers with mountains of turbo experience to whom they could turn for reference.
     
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  10. By  Nintendo DS Games Posted: 11/12/2009 2:29am PST

    Nothing new for Ferrari - they used turbocharging in the later 1980s on 2.0-liter home market tax-break versions of the 328 (they were called GTB/GTS Turbo). These cars had a single IHI turbo and generated somewhere around 250-255 hp.
     
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