THE HORROR: Ferrari's naturally-aspirated V12 is not long for this world.
But Will They Still Wail? Every Future Ferrari Engine to Be Turbocharged or Hybridized
September 16, 2014 at 7:27 pm by Clifford Atiyeh
The news that every future Ferrari engine will be juiced by either turbos or electricity comes just days after longtime company chairman Luca di Montezemolo tossed his saddle to Fiat-Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne.
The technologies will be split along engine types, too:
Automotive News, after an interview with powertrain director Vittorio Dini, reports that all next-gen Ferrari V-8s will be turbocharged like the one in the 2015 California T, and theyΆll also likely decrease in displacement. And itΆs probable that every V-12 will receive electrification as seen on the LaFerrari.
Much as Formula 1 has introduced turbos and hybrid power, Ferrari says those technologies are the only ways it can meet emissions laws while increasing performance. There are no plans to combine forced-induction with hybridization, however; V-8s will get pressurized, but since Dini says the V-12s would require four turbos, theyΆd get too large and radiate too much heat. Instead, theyΆll get their boost from lithium-ion batteries and electric motors.
The 2015 Ferrari California T packs a 552-hp, 3.9-liter twin-turbo V-8 up front. It packs a smaller ass out back.
Automotive News also reports that a refreshed 458 Italia and Spider will sport revised bodywork and a twin-turbo V-8 by 2016 and perhaps also a new name. A new FF and F12berlinetta “could be re-engineered” with hybrid systems in 2016 and 2017. While we noticed a dampened exhaust and slight turbo lag in the California T, it shouldnΆt be enough for the
tifosi to incite riots. And the LaFerrari can do no wrong. The upshot is that Ferrari buyers can look forward to more power, higher levels of efficiency, and—if Marchionne decides, as rumored, to increase annual production from 7000 to 10,000—more cars to buy.
Of course, this development will leave no naturally aspirated screamers left in FerrariΆs lineup, which could turn off purists. They may head to Lamborghini, which seems comfortable keeping its V-10 and V-12 engines free of such technologies. For now, anyway.
