Ferrari cutting CO2 output by 40%, hybrid sports car in the works
Mainstream automakers are faced with the reality of improving the efficiency and cleanliness of everyday vehicles, but companies like Porsche and Lamborghini say drastic change would effect the underlying character of their products. Ferrari apparently doesn't feel the same way, as the exotic automaker has pledged to cut emissions 40 percent by 2012. Like most other automakers, Ferrari plans on tackling its emissions problems on several fronts. It will improve the efficiency of its current powertrains, add new engines, possibly including a turbocharged V6, and bring a hybrid to market that could incorporate Ferrari's Kinetic Energy Recycling System (KERS) employed on its F1 cars, which uses a CVT connected to a flywheel that stores energy under braking. Prancing stallion president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo told a German newspaper that the hybrid Ferrari would be available around 2015. If anybody can make a hybrid supercar that is entertaining, efficient, exotic, and extremely fast, we're betting on the guys and gals over at Ferrari.
[Source: AFP]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
TJ 9:38AM (7/07/2008)
My god. The apocalypse truly is near.
WTF is wrong with people?
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Vintage 9:58AM (7/07/2008)
What are you talking about? Boosted 6= awesome. Same power, less weight, more acceleration, better handling.
WTF is wrong with you?
Richard 11:20AM (7/07/2008)
Well, since electric motors have full torque available from 1 rpm - unlike reciprocating motors - this could be a real boon for Ferrari acceleration. That would be cool.
Nothing TF wrong with that!
Richard 11:22AM (7/07/2008)
TJ, the apocalypse will truly be here, however, if Ferrari put that hybrid lump into an SUV! But, I don't see that happening as Ferrari are not utility vehicles.
Jvijil 9:47AM (7/07/2008)
jesus i thought i would never see the day when ferrari made a hybrid...just goes to show how gas really does affect ferrari owners
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BigMcLargeHuge 10:17AM (7/07/2008)
Don't pretend that all hybrids are alike. Ferrari isn't planning on removing the manual and auto-manual transmissions and trading them for batteries, electric motors and a single knob for F, R, P, N.
The KERS system in use for F1 isn't that big of a deal as far as 'hybrids' go. It doesn't require much drivetrain restructuring or add much weight.
Also, this probably isn't because of the effect gas is having on the dozens of Ferrari owners. Its having an effect on millions of people's perception of all major brands that sell small cars, including Ferrari's parent company. It might be best for FIAT if they didn't have 1 fuel-efficient brand, and one brand that is a smear target for 'uncleanliness'.
jay tee 10:55AM (7/07/2008)
I think he was making a point about a Hybrid Ferrari. A Turbocharged 6 would make an amazing "Dino" for the current times. Fuel efficiency is only a bad thing when it severely compromises so much about a vehicle (ie. Priuses, loud/slow previous gen VW TDI's, Aveo's, etc)
The KERS system is actually very unique, as it uses a drum flywheel in vacuum, and no electric assist (or other types of assist). It is VERY compact, and VERY efficient. Apparently, only Honda and Toyota will use electric assist for their hybrid F1 cars (anyone can confirm?). For Ferrari, this is just another case of bringing F1 tech to the road.
Js 10:07AM (7/07/2008)
-Sigh-
I have the greatest faith in Ferrari. But a hybrid-sportscar ? Sports cars are not supposed to be friendly to the environment and play with bunnies and lambs. How much CO2 is Ferrari really responsible for ? How often do Ferrari owners hammer their cars down highways ? How many Ferraris are out there on the highways at the same time anyways? It´s wonderful that Ferrari wants to be less polluting, but I seriously believe that there is a set amount of ¨green¨ allowed under the hood before that shiny rosso exterior no longer stands for what it once was.... passion, emotion, and above all a love of sports cars.
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styleguy 9:59AM (7/07/2008)
You all are shocked my a hybrid, but how good fuel economy is this thing really gonna get? Not prius good...
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Scott Eaton 1:43PM (7/07/2008)
I don't think high mpg is the point think about the other benefits one gets from an electric assist on-board.
Colin Smith 10:11AM (7/07/2008)
If the performance is maintained, or enhanced, and it uses less fuel into the bargain, what's the problem? The problem in fact would be to do nothing.
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Mobius_1 10:37AM (7/07/2008)
To all those people who insist this is wrong: times are changing, Turbo's and hybrid drivetrains (when deployed properly) can really boost performance, and Ferrari, as an innovator, should be at the top of the proverbial "Tech Tree" with its cars.
If you are still skeptical, check out "Fly-Brid", should be awesome if it were implemented on a supercar
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Toy Yoda 10:49AM (7/07/2008)
"Sports cars are not supposed to be friendly to the environment"
That's a weird definition of a sports car. I just want them to be fast and handle well. Why would it matter if it a non-petrol motor? I could imagine how strange it would be if all sports cars were enivronmentally friendly. What would you do? Frown and think, "well, even though I get instant torque from the electric motor and can do 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, it's just not fun anymore because I'm not harming the environment."
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davido 10:57AM (7/07/2008)
It's called technological advance folks. When regenerative braking is coming to F1 why wouldn't Ferrari adapt that technology to it's road cars the same way they've adapted their semi-automatic gearboxes?
Look, there were purists who hated it when Ferrari started building road cars with mid-engines of less than twelve cylinders, saying that a Ferrari road car was a front-engined twelve cylinder car, forgetting of course the four and six cylinder Ferrari sports racing and F1 cars of the fifties and early sixties.
I 'm sure their were others who were appalled when the V12's went to fuel injection and gave up the beauty of six dual throat carbs; others who couldn't imagine clutchless transmissions, or traction and stability controls.
Ferrari expects to be at the cutting edge of automotive technology. Provided they remain fast, and they will, that's exactly where they should be.
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Mike G 11:10AM (7/07/2008)
Its called CAFE! They wouldn't do this otherwise, unless it actually provided better 0-60mph (0-100km/h) times.
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Vintage 11:28AM (7/07/2008)
Big deal. They wouldn't include catalytic convertors if it weren't for cafe, and you don't hear people complaining about them...
Richard 11:33AM (7/07/2008)
Cats aren't for CAFE. Catalytic conversion of exhaust gases is for emissions not Corporate Average Fuel Economy numbers. In fact, Cats reduce CAFE...and there are high-flow cats that help recover some of the power and mileage that lower-flow cats take.
mk 11:20AM (7/07/2008)
I said this before, in the Turbo 6 Ferrari thread... but perhaps the comments are even MORE apt here.
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"Each successive ferrari, as well as Porsche or Aston Martin, and other dedicated performance car brand might get better mileage as a side effect.
They design better, more efficient engines because... THEY ARE BETTER AND FASTER.
Once fuel economy jumps to a higher position on the list than performance, all bets are off, for a company like Ferrari.
I am fine with efficiency as a means to become the best. I am not so keen on fuel economy in a sports car, just to appear to be politically popular."
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I believe that point might be reached, with this news. Fuel efficiency and political correctness over-riding the priority of making the best, most straight-forward italian sports cars in the world.
Sorry, but this bunk about Ferrari, of all companies, bowing at the alter of environmentalism, is not pleasant news.
As I said, I am all for responsibly meeting one's goals. This however signifies a CHANGE in the goals themselves, not a change in how they meet their previously identified goals.
Is Ferrari going to be a Top tier italian sports car, or are they going to be a top tier italian political statement that kinda looks like a sports car?
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Richard 11:29AM (7/07/2008)
You know, if your clientele want something "greener" - regardless of the depth of their pockets and non-sensitivity to dino-juice prices - you build something "greener." It's called marketing.
As F1 moves to be greener, it makes perfect sense that the team that IS F1 captures some of that branding equity for their road cars.
You also have to understand that "hybrid" does not cessarily mean "green." Read Lieberman's review of the Lexus LS600h over at TTAC to learn what I mean.
Vintage 11:35AM (7/07/2008)
Hey you're right, Ferrari shouldn't have crap like catalytic convertors, airbags, ABS, EFI, carbon discs, paddle shifters, or exotic materials.
Ferraris should all be hand beaten metal with carb'd v12s and RWD and no A/C or stereo with regular disc brakes.
PS: Climb back into your tree and throw away your computer please.