Is the industry rumor true that Ferrari has applied for patent on a four wheel drive hybrid vehicle?

Ferrari applied for patent on new hybrid 4 x 4 transmission technology in 2009

Ferrari hybrid breaking news suggests the company had applied for a patent for hybrid transmission technology for a 4x4. Yes, a four by four. Ferrari. Fans of the Italian auto maker's products car pick their jaws up now -- the 21st century has arrived and a new wave of green technology is finally here. However, it's important to understand that the concept of four wheel applies to the propulsion system only, and not the character of the European racing supercar in it's function and design. Read on for more information about the patent application and the history of the hybrid technology integration announcements from Ferrari in 2009.

FERRARI HYBRID QUESTIONS

What's the big question that's being asked quietly at Ferrari dealerships worldwide? Clients and potential investors are asking if the rumor is true that Ferrari is planning to produce hybrid automobiles by or before the 2016 CAFE cars deadline. The answer to that question is yes, the company has in fact confirmed it intends to pursue marketing a hybrid model by 2015. [1]

Now the latest progress report comes hot on Lamborghini's quiet talk announcements that they are considering producing their concept car the Estoque -- a four passenger model that debuted at the 2008 Paris auto show -- as a hybrid model for fast driving families of the future. The report and retort from Fiat Group's star auto designer? That Ferrari has applied for a patent on 4 x 4 technology for a future production car. It's not a joke -- the industry rumors are confirmed. Reporters and the Ferrari corporation are not kidding about the company producing a hybrid production model, and here's a bit of the 2009 the history of the breaking news story. [1][2]

FERRARI HYBRID GREEN ANNOUNCEMENT

Amidst a flurry of environmental reporting and Tesla motor company announcing it's plans to expand it's dealership locations to major metropolitan cites worldwide and selling it's 500th eco-friendly roadster, all auto magazine reporting eyes turned to look squarely at Ferrari -- and that's when it happened.

In the Spring of 2009, Ferrari announced official confirmation of it's plans to go hybrid (at least in one full scale production model).

However, the interesting part of the announcement is not that Ferrari has any intention of going green for environmental reasons. Now, if you follow the paper trail of new patent announcements, then you see in fine print that the real reason Ferrari appears to be moving forward with hybrid technology is to improve performance -- not just fuel economy as environmentalist who still love speed would love to believe. [3][4]

According to car watch dog site Jalopnik, "European patent filings already show us how Modena plans to use hybrid technology for performance instead of economy. Now we know when. Reports indicate a gas/electric Ferrari Hybrid may show itself at this year's LA Auto Show." [5]

In a market ready for green technology, the move stands to earn the company some serious green -- and as front runners in the auto industry who help shape technology of the future, that's a good thing.

FERRARI 4x4 TECHNOLOGY PLAN

Autoblog.com reports Ferrari was [is], "taking a long, hard look at hybrid drivetrains as a way to improve the performance of its line of supercars when a less-than-ideal amount of traction is present. While Ferrari's patent documents didn't mention environmental concerns as a reason to investigate hybrids, it seems likely that the issue is at least on the minds of Italian automaker's engineers. But it isn't the only technology Ferrari is developing in an effort to build more efficient vehicles that don't sacrifice performance."

They go on to say, "A search of Europe's patent database system shows that Ferrari has recently submitted proposals for a new twin-turbo design for V-shaped engines with six, eight, ten or twelve cylinders. Of course, twin-turbo engines have been done hundreds of times before (including by Ferrari back in 1980s and early '90s), so its the arrangement of the two turbochargers along with all the associated plumbing required to make it all work that the Italian automaker is seeking to patent."

Autoblog additionally explains and adds, "The [new 2009 patent] drawing submitted with the application shows an eight-cylinder engine with two equally-sized turbochargers nestled inside the V of the engine block and cylinder heads. The system would use one turbocharger at low engine speeds and would only use the second turbocharger for maximum power and torque when required. Click here to view the actual patent application." [Source: European Patent Office via Autocar]

Autocar magazine explains the hybrid setup, quoting the Ferrari patent application as saying, "The aim of the present invention is to provide a four-wheel-drive vehicle with hybrid propulsion…and being at the same time easy and inexpensive to produce." But, the name "Ferrari" is not the first car company we think of when mentioning hybrid automobiles, making the headlines seem like big news.

If, however, you follow the tech trail, you might already know that Ferrari is already employing dome hybrid technology on the road. Well, at least on the road and track driver groups are most familiar with: when they race at Formula One. Popsci.com's online Science magazine, in an article titled "A Ferrari 4X4? Shhh, It's a Hybrid" reports,

When you think of hybrid cars, the name Ferrari doesn't spring readily to mind. In fact, the Italian sports-car builder already uses a hybrid system in its Formula One race cars, the same ones in which it finished third and fourth at this past weekend's Monaco Grand Prix.

Ferrari has also apparently filed for a patent on a new, gasoline-electric drive system for its road cars, says the magazine, an journal of news feeds that often times reads more like science fiction that the real science and technology breakthroughs it's reporting.

The author goes on to site auto news stats to give further explanation to its audience of scientific minded readers, saying:

Ferrari's only hybrid-drive system currently in operation powers its Formula One car. A kinetic-energy recovery, or KERS, system converts braking energy into electricity, charging a battery that powers an electric motor a driver can engage for up to 6.6 seconds per lap, delivering an 82-hp boost he can use to pass other cars. The system, developed with Italian electronics supplier Magneti Marelli, adds about 66 pounds to the company's feather-light F1 cars. (UPDATE: F1 drivers can use the KERS system for 6.6 seconds per lap, not 20 seconds, providing a boost of 60 Kw, or 82 hp. KERS can only be used on a race car's rear axle.)

In the new Ferrari patent proposed, the car would use gasoline power down at the front wheels and electric power at the rear wheels. Popsci writes, "Ferrari's proposed system reverses that equation, retaining its traditional setup of front (or mid-) engine and rear-wheel-drive, but adding an electric motor to power the front wheels. Ferrari's system will be designed to heighten performance by improving traction, like the Highlander, though not necessarily to satisfy any specific green-car motives. Still, according to patent filings, it appears Ferrari's system will allow for electric-only propulsion at slow speeds, which could improve the cars' emissions profile in urban driving."

LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE OF THE FERRARI MARKET

The Ferrari hybrid concept bears striking similarity to Toyota's Highlander Hybrid, as it relates to 4x4 propulsion thinking. One wonders what will come as a next announcement form the car maker regarding it's intentions to implement the new technology on existing frame models or if it plans to create or redesign a new signet line of automobiles bearing the marquee Cavallino. 

Could Ferrari be taking aim not only at Tesla Motors plan for redesigning and re-marketing exotic cars as hybrid performance automobiles but also at their competitor Lamborghini? The off road 4 x4 Lamborghini LM002 and on road four passenger Espada were pretty slick vehicle concepts for their day, even if form left a lot to be desired when it came to performance and function. However, times and technology have changed and the Lambo maker is now seriously considering manufacturing the Lamborghini Estoque as a family alternative -- which, as a hybrid supercar that is daily driver and passenger friendly, could seriously give Ferrari marketing a run for it's money if it fails to produce a competition vehicle equivalent.

Thus far, the biggest complaint being voiced by consumers is that hybrid vehicles are too quiet. Marketing arguments are being made that say if an exotic car does not make that roaring rumble noise each car is famous for in a voice signature, why would you want it?

As more news breaks, this story will be revisited. For now, however, the biggest "first" question set to propose to any exotic car or performance sports car consumer audience is this:

If Ferrari creates a hybrid with improved engine performance and reduced emissions --

would you buy it?

1. Ferrari Files Patent Application For Four-Wheel Drive Hybrid http://www.tuningtruck.com/ferrari-files-patent-application-for-four-wheel-drive-hybrid.html
2. Patents reveal Ferrari's plan for new turbocharged engines http://www.autoblog.com/tag/ferrari+patent/
3. Ferrari patent for turbocharged V8 surfaces online http://www.motorauthority.com/ferrari-patent-for-turbocharged-v8-engine-surfaces-online.html
4. Ferrari Patent Reveals Plans For A Turbocharged Engine http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/06/ferrari-patent-reveals-plans-for-a-turbocharged-engine.html
5. First Look at Ferrari's Up and Coming Hybrid Concept http://jalopnik.com/5284508/first-look-ferraris-upcoming-awd-hybrid-concept