Ferrari is expected to reveal an all-new car that is purported to feature a hybrid powertrain capable of an output near or just in excess of 735kW. And from spy photographs and fleeting glimpses of the prototype on the street, the car seems to closely resemble the new F8 Tributo, though it most definitely is to be positioned above it.
Enthusiasts and critics generally agree that the new mid-engine Ferrari will be powered primarily by a V8 engine, possible an updated version of the bi-turbo F154 unit that premiered in the California T and 488 GTB.
In the interest of weight and packaging, there has been speculation that a more compact V6 version of the same engine could also be a candidate for Ferrari’s first ‘mainstream’ hybrid. Indeed, the motor has proven to not lack charisma in the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio.
Seeing as how it is rumoured that this new car will sit higher up the food chain than the even 812 Superfast in both performance and price, though, it’s likely that nothing short of a V8 will be deemed acceptable, at least in this case as Ferrari are also expected to unveil another hybrid model later this year, albeit one with a price tag a little stratospheric.
Where the previous Ferrari hybrid utilised a single electric motor and F1-style KERS system to supplement the 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V12, this new model might take that count to 3 for more precise torque vectoring and overall power.
After the Italian supercar marker first tread on the controversial grounds of electrification with their LaFerrari, it was an open question as to exactly when the world would see the same hybrid high performance tech trickle down to something more mainstream.
Ferrari committed to only producing 499 examples of the hypercar, always one example shy of a nice round figure as per Enzo’s decree to always offer one fewer than the market expects for the sake of exclusivity. Consequently, the tangible gains from the marriage of a naturally aspirated V12 and an electric motor were only fully experienced by some.
The invitations have already been sent for a private event at the company’s headquarters in Maranello, so it’s only a matter of waiting out the clock until the covers are pulled.
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