Yes, we are aware that that is not the 599 you see above, but any opportunity to post the ridiculously good looking 458 Italia will be taken advantage of.
The 599 will be the model selected to get the hybrid treatment, but don’t expect it any time soon. 2015 is the projected release, and even that isn’t written in stone. The head of Ferrari Amedeo Felisa recently said of the 599 hybrid:
“The technology is not ready. The suppliers are not ready. Everything is underdevelopped. There is a lot of work to do. It’s not for tomorrow. We haven’t decided when (it will be introduced)”
While we are a bit disappointed in the 599 hybrid’s excessive delay, Felisa’s no-nonsense approach to being interviewed is appreciated. Just tell it like it is.
There are some people who aren’t so impressed at the idea of a hybridized Ferrari though. Ferrari’s are the epitome of performance not efficiency and any attempt to address the latter would likely compromise the former which is blasphomy in the Ferrari world. But the fact of the matter is, this new venture into efficiency is not an option for Ferrari, it’s a necessity or else its existence will fade away quicker than George W. Bush’s credibility.
But Ferarri has another trick up its sleeve.
Ferrari is toying witht the idea of a V6. Blasphomy again, maybe, but Ferrari engines are already so superb that the engineers could likely tune a V6 to meet acceptable Ferrari approved performance.
But what about electric cars? Tesla can get its all electric roadster from 0 to 100 in 3.9 seconds, which is the exact same time it takes a regular Ferrari 599 to make the sprint.
Forget it.
Says Felisa “If you look at global warming, the right solution is not full electric. It’s more a marketing solution than a real one, sound is just as important as design and performance for Ferrari. We will not make engine sounds with speakers”
True, that would be pretty tacky. And the exhaust note of a Ferrari is enough to make you pass out with amazement, so reluctantly, we sort of agree.
What do you think is the best method for Ferrari to beat its gas chugging habits?
I admire what you have done here. I like the part where you say you are doing this to give back but I would assume by all the comments that this is working for you too.