Ferrari builds a hybrid

LOWRIDER: The Ferrari hybrid's centre of gravity is even lower than the standard car's.

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By using hybrid and Formula One KERS technology, Ferrari has reduced the profligacy of its 599 Gran Turismo by a third, writes DAVE MOORE.

Along with Porsche, BMW, Lotus and Mercedes- Benz, Ferrari used the Geneva Motor Show to reveal its first hybrid car. It's called the Ferrari 599 HY-KERS vettura laboratorio and it cuts emissions and fuel consumption by 35 per cent. And, adds Ferrari, this is without affecting the car's performance or driving involvement.

Behind the advent of the 599 HY- KERS project is Ferrari's need to be in a position to comply with future CO2 emissions standards, particularly in terms of the urban cycle. City driving is traditionally where sports cars are most penalised because their engines are designed for maximum efficiency and performance at high revs, whereas the urban cycle involves low revs and low engine loads.

KERS - or Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems - was briefly used in Formula One in the past two seasons. It stores energy either mechanically (with a flywheel) or electrically (using batteries or super- capacitors). Energy is released for use when a momentary performance boost is required.

The Ferrari's lightweight hybrid drivetrain is positioned, along with other key system components, below the existing centre of gravity and does not interfere with cabin or load space. Specially designed lithium-ion batteries are used and placed under the floorpan. As a result, the Ferrari hybrid's centre of gravity is even lower than the standard car's.

Weighing in at just 40kg, the compact, three-phase, high-voltage electric motor of the HY-KERS is coupled to the rear of the car's dual- clutch 7-speed F1 transmission. It operates through one of the transmission's two clutches and engages one of the two gearbox primary shafts. Thus, power is linked seamlessly between the electric motor and the V12 engine. The electric motor produces more than 100hp. Ferrari's goal of offsetting every kilogram of weight with least one horsepower has thus been fulfilled.

Under braking, the electric drive unit acts as a generator, using the kinetic energy from the negative torque generated to recharge the batteries. This phase is controlled by a dedicated electronics module which was developed applying experience gained in F1 and, as well as managing the power supply and recharging the batteries, the module also powers the engine's ancillaries (power steering, power-assisted brakes, air conditioning, on-board systems) via a generator mounted on the V12 engine when running 100 per cent under electric drive. It also incorporates the hybrid system's cooling pump. A production Ferrari Hybrid is expected by 2014.

Meanwhile, Ferrari is "greening" other cars in its range, with the recently released California set to become the first supercar to offer a fuel and emissions saving automatic Stop&Start engine system. This will cut fuel consumption by 6 per cent and reduce carbon dioxide emissions to 280g/km, a figure less than some family cars and remarkable for a supercar that can dispatch the dash to 100 kmh in under four seconds. The new Stop&Start system will become available on the Ferrari California in New Zealand later this year.

- © Fairfax NZ News