Ferrari ready to go hybrid 26 | 03 | 2012

HOT ON THE HEELS of Ferrari's F1 win in the Malaysian Grand Prix yesterday, the Maranello-based company has confirmed it will introduce more 'green factors' across its road-going cars.

When Ferrari launched its F12berlinetta last month, company boss Luca di Montezemolo hinted that the new model's V12 engine was “the first in a new generation of V12s”.

As environmental pressures grow on all car manufacturers, Ferrari has been able to adapt the F1-derived KERS system to ensure the V12s stay in its line-up.

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"We will roll out new technology that is there first and foremost to introduce a green factor to our cars and ensure that we can keep our product where it is in terms of CO2,” Ferrari boss Amedeo Felisa said.

“Our hybrid system won’t just be about creating power, but saving energy, too. Yes, that technology is expensive today, but the road ahead is open and evolution will bring down the cost and weight disadvantages.

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“I’m not saying when, but it is possible that this technology will be on all Ferraris. It has been designed to fit all our future architecture, and if we go ahead it will be fitted as standard. It is not the sort of thing you offer as an option.”

Ferrari has already experimented with hybrid technology in its road-going cars. In 2010 it produced the HY-KERS concept.

Essentially a stock Ferrari 599 GTB with a KERS system, it featured a low-capacity electric motor at the front to drive ancillaries when running on electric power alone.

The concept was also fitted with a rear-mounted electric motor rated at 100bhp and 110lb/ft: and the battery cells were spread over the floorpan.

It's expected that Ferrari will use a production version of this system in the next Enzo, which will feature a mid-mounted V12.

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Jim McGill