Beijing show: Ferrari HY-KERS for Enzo successor
F1-influenced hybrid technology displayed in powertrain for Enzo replacement
Aligning its hybrid tech with the KERS label is, of course, perfect for Ferrari, the F1 connotations successfully combining the need at least to acknowledge eco concerns without diluting the brand's 'honed in F1' core values.
Porsche has been doing much the same in GT racing with its 911 GT3 R Hybrid, Audi and Toyota bringing electric assistance to endurance prototypes at Le Mans this year. All of which helps move hybrids away from the do-gooder, holier-than-thou Prius school and into a - possibly - more PH-worthy arena. Possibly.
So what's new with HY-KERS? The most significant thing is that it's now showing in a mid-engined application, having previously been displayed in a 599 GTB with a conventional V12 up front and a combined seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and electric motor transaxle at the rear. Batteries mounted under the floorpan proved that the system could be accommodated in a conventional car without compromising packaging, the additional weight offset by the lowering of the centre of gravity. The latest system, Ferrari says, "can be positioned in the car in line with the available space and final configuration."
Two years of additional development mean Ferrari hopes to significantly improve on the original goal of matching every kilo of additional weight with at least 1hp extra, now saying reduced component weight contributes to around 1.35hp per kilo gained. Coupled to one of the gearbox's two clutches, the HY-KERS motor can be engaged and disengaged as and when required and was designed from the start to be compatible with both front- and mid-engined designs. And it'll be in the latter for the new Enzo, as previewed by a V12 engine, transmission and electric motor combination on the Beijing stand, green-painted hybrid components jarring alongside more traditional red-painted cylinder heads. The numbers speak for themselves though, Ferrari promising a 10 per cent increase in performance with a 40 per cent cut in emissions.
Does this mean the new super-Ferrari will purr away from the line in near-silence, rather than a cacophony of V12 noise? Unlikely, thankfully. Ferrari is working on hybrid powertrains, but very much on its own terms and together with renewed focus on weight saving and aerodynamics. This is going green, but in a very Ferrari style.
The article could do with a good picture of the whole engine-gearbox-motors link though please PH!
Delighted that F1 stuff is finding it's way into road cars.
Maybe a DRS button next, or a radio cut in (a bit like traffic info) for when you're getting tailgated on the autobahn or around the 'ring "...Fernando is faster than you."
Will they do a Massa addition that automatically seeks out and rams Mclaren MP12-4C's?
Was in a car with stop start (for the first time) at the weekend. And was surprised at how basic it was. Not sure what I expected, maybe a smoother, less intrusive start up. Surely it affects the life expectancy of an engine?
I expect with Ferrari, there'll be no gains in emmisions/mpg when the car is in "sport" and all the hybrid tech will be geared towards more power.
Will they do a Massa addition that automatically seeks out and rams Mclaren MP12-4C's?
If it’s the aforementioned, and the Toyota Prius is now a “cool” and a desirable car, then what were true car enthusiast and “Piston-headers” so against with the Toyota Prius (and other hybrid cars) in the first place?
Should true car enthusiast take a firm stand on this and stick to their original opinion that all Hybrids, including the latest Ferrari/Porsche, are not an automobile that should be lusted over and should be consigned to the “Un-cool” wall.
Or should we accept this, saying it’s the future, and do a U-turn on our original opinion on the “Un-cool” Hybrid?
Also, like this article suggests “Does this mean the new super-Ferrari will purr away from the line in near-silence, rather than a cacophony of V12 noise?” isn’t the sound that the Ferrari V12 engine makes, part of the overall experience and magic of such a car? If you remove this, surely it changes the essence of what the Ferrari brand stands for now and must make you consider why you would wish to continue to buy into such a brand?
You don't see Lambo's with this st because their C02 is offset against bluemotion cars and other eco VW's .
So my guess is this is just a cover up for those green lunatics that want change. But really, the prancing horse is still doing things their way.
If it’s the aforementioned, and the Toyota Prius is now a “cool” and a desirable car, then what were true car enthusiast and “Piston-headers” so against with the Toyota Prius (and other hybrid cars) in the first place?
Should true car enthusiast take a firm stand on this and stick to their original opinion that all Hybrids, including the latest Ferrari/Porsche, are not an automobile that should be lusted over and should be consigned to the “Un-cool” wall.
Or should we accept this, saying it’s the future, and do a U-turn on our original opinion on the “Un-cool” Hybrid?
Also, like this article suggests “Does this mean the new super-Ferrari will purr away from the line in near-silence, rather than a cacophony of V12 noise?” isn’t the sound that the Ferrari V12 engine makes, part of the overall experience and magic of such a car? If you remove this, surely it changes the essence of what the Ferrari brand stands for now and must make you consider why you would wish to continue to buy into such a brand?
A prius is a hybrid which is a small electric motor which assists the petrol engine under acceleration This is uncool
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