Mystery Ferrari mule could be V6 hybrid
Future supercar is rumoured to soon sit above the current 488. Let speculation commence!
This sighting of a mysterious Ferrari test mule at Fiorano Circuit could be our first glimpse of an upcoming hybrid supercar that'll sit above the 488 GTB in its range. Ferrari announced such a model last year as part of plans to launch 15 new cars by 2022 - including an SUV - but refrained from revealing any technical details. Now, however, fresh video footage seems to confirm it will use a six-cylinder engine at its core, because, well, have a listen for yourself.
The tone is deeper, and certainly not familiar to a V8 product of Maranello - even one cruising and changing up at low revs. This is all speculative of course, as Ferrari won't provide an official line as to what we're looking at, or listening to. But it does seem to fit the bill for Ferrari's new Sports series model, which is due with a higher overall output than the 488 thanks to its use of electrified power, although it'll likely be heavier than the midship V8. The car will come as the first of several new hybrid Ferraris, the brand said last year.
If the spy video is anything to go by, the car will be larger and longer than the 670hp 488 as well, which, given the extra hardware, seems understandable. Ferrari's last hybrid model, LaFerrari, wasn't launched with a pure-electric mode - although owners reportedly found one - but this new car could get one 'officially', with silent mules running with 488 bodies having been seen over the past few months. Or perhaps that's another car entirely...
If this all sounds absurd, remember that Ferrari stated that electrified powertrains would make up 60 per cent of its range by 2022. It's yet to mention a hybrid successor to the LaFerrari, but one is expected to act as a next-gen hybrid halo for the range. The good news being that, if rumours are correct, it should retain a naturally aspirated V12 as its main source of propulsion. And, given that this is Ferrari, each hybrid should focus its electric power on further enhancing already potent performance.
But regardless of whether this video is of a V6, V8 or in-line 4 hybrid, I'm guessing it will still be great from the driver's seat. Sadly most of us experience these cars only from the outside - no doubt it will look good, but unfortunately I suspect the days of wailing V8 FPC engines is almost at an end. We can only hope that some brain-iac scientist comes up with a clean-burning alternative to fossil fuel .... so come on Poindexters, get with the programme!
(We know how the latter affects the sound of an F1 engine)
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