Green machine: Ferrari's new petrol-electric hybrid 599 can switch between zero-emissions electric power, petrol power, or a mix of the two, cutting emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and boosting fuel consumption Supercar maker Ferrari has ditched its famous red livery and gone 'green'.
The legendary Italian car-maker and F1 racing stable has unleashed a 200mph eco-friendly electric hybrid vehicle that aims to cut pollution and fuel consumption - while still giving breathtaking acceleration and performance.
But in a shock to traditionalists who delight in the explosive roar and rumble of a Ferrari firing up - this one can start silently and is pollution-free.
Ferrari stunned visitors when it unveiled its new petrol-electric hybrid 599 at the opening day of the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland today.
Not only is it in a bright metallic green paint - rather than traditional Ferrari red - it also has a zero-emissions electric motor backing up its 6.0 litre V12 petrol engine.
The high performance hybrid is aimed at the super-rich for whom a Toyota Prius simply won't do.
But don't get too carried away with the idea that macho Ferrari has suddenly gone all politically-correct in a bid to save the planet.
Rather, its development has been driven by pragmatism and the European Union's tough new targets on cutting emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the so-called 'greenhouse gas' blamed for global warming.
Although the technology is being shown in a prototype 599, the aim is to have it as an option available across its entire range of cars by 2015.
Speedy: The two seater accelerates from rest to 60mph in just 3.5 seconds and up to 125mph in 10.4 secondsThat way it will not fall foul of the EU anti-pollution and anti-gas-guzzler rules, which could otherwise see its supercars driven off the road.
Ferrari reckons that, at present values, the ground breaking technology would currently make the car cost double that of the conventional £207,000 petrol 559 GTB Fiorano on which it is based. But by the time the system has been 'industrialised' in 2014-15, the price should come down to below £300,000.
The petrol-electric Ferrari 599 is a hybrid vehicle which can switch between zero-emissions electric power, petrol power, or a mix of the two, cutting emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and boosting fuel consumption.
A lightweight electric motor at the back of the car weighing 88lbs (40kg) produces more than 100 horsepower - about the same as a Ford Fiesta - and is attached to a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox, with F1 style paddle-shift on the steering wheel.
Under braking, the electric hybrid system acts as a generator. The system 'captures' energy that would otherwise be wasted from braking or slowing down, and uses it to recharge the batteries which in turn can propel the car by electric power.
The hybrid two-door two-seater will accelerate from rest to 60mph in just 3.5 seconds - quicker than the conventional version - and up to 125mph in 10.4 seconds.
CO2 emissions are cut by more than a third to 270g/km - a 35 per cent reduction on a conventional petrol-only model at 415g/km. Its expected to manage up to 25miles to the gallon - an improvement on the petrol only version of under 16mpg.
Taking power from the batteries, it can start up the car silently on electric power only - though this might be a blow to Ferrari purists who may prefer the traditional roar and rumble of the 6.0 litre V12 engine firing up.The electric motor kicks in on odd-numbered gears - 1, 3, 5 and 7 - smoothing out the power increases.
The thin lithium-ion battery packs are less than an inch (2cm) thick and run flat below the floor pan of the car, but are air-cooled within an aerodynamic underbody.
At the front of the engine, an electric motor-generator powers ancillary devices such as air-conditioning, power steering, power-assisted brakes, and on-board electrical systems.
A spokesman for Ferrari said:'This shows how Ferrari is applying hybrid technology to high-performance cars.
'Central to our objective is maintaining the balance, handling and performance characteristics typical of its cars, despite the inevitable disadvantages in terms of weight.'
He added:''Ferrari has also applied its F1 technology to the design, engineering and construction of a new kind of electric motor which also helps optimise the dynamics of the car.
'The motor cuts in during acceleration, providing instantaneous torque, or pulling power, when moving away from a standstill and during overtaking manoeuvres.
'Power is coupled seamlessly and instantaneously between the electric motor and the V12 petrol engine.
'In town driving, the hybrid system can also function as a full-electric drivetrain. The result is a direct reduction in fuel consumption and emissions.'
He added: 'Under braking, the electric drive unit acts as a generator, using the energy generated to recharge the batteries.'
A low centre of gravity helps maintain balance, handling and performance.There's no loss of space in the boot or in the driver's cabin.
The car dispenses with a conventional starter motor and battery, saving some weight.
source: dailymail