Like an any pending Ferrari debut, rumors about a hybrid have circulated for years. Now, the rumor has been confirmed as true. According to Reuters, among several news agencies, Ferrari will introduce its hybrid technology in March and the first model to get it will be the 599.
Luca di Montezemolo, the automaker’s chairman confirmed at the presentation of the race team’s 2010 Formula One car. Montezemolo said the prototype 599 hybrid will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show.
The Italian magazine Quattroruote has reported the Ferrari hybrid new system will use lithium batteries and an electric motor to cut the fuel requirements of the 599’s V12 by 35 percent.
Montezemolo said he wants Ferrari to lead F1 in the transfer of race technology to road cars. Experts report the Ferrari hybrid system is derived from the KERS (kinetic energy recovery system) used in 2009 F1 racing season.
Article Last Updated: February 1, 2010.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
