Hybrid Ferrari To Launch At LA Auto Show In December?

The F430 bio-fuel powered prototype is on the stand at Detroit in recognition of the growing interest in the U.S. for alternate fuels. The V-8 is designed to run on E85 or gasoline. The concept has a modified fuel system and engine control computer in order to handle the corrosive and energy density properties of the higher mix of ethanol. All current production Ferrari’s can run on 10 percent ethanol. Peak horsepower is up 10 at the same rpm, and torque is slightly better. So the Maranello driving experience is unchanged. Ferrari estimates a 5 percent reduction on carbon dioxide emissions. Ferrari claims that experience in Formula One racing helped where gasoline is blended with 5.75 percent biomass fuel. Last June during Ferrari’s 60th anniversary celebration, the company announced a number of projects to lower fuel consumption and emissions levels. The goal is a 40 percent reduction in emissions by 2012. – Ken Zino

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It's obviously green supercar day here at GreenCarReports. No sooner had we written about Lamborghini's green vehicle plans than more info popped up on our previous story about the plans for Ferrari hybrids as well.

Editor Eddie Alterman from Car and Driver writes that a concept could debut at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, for which the media days are December 2-3.

He also notes that turbocharging and ethanol may be part of Ferrari's green scheme; the company had previously shown a slightly incongruous ethanol-powered model at the 2008 Detroit auto show.

It all started three months ago at the Geneva Motor Show, when Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said the company was testing prototypes of a 2009 Ferrari 599 fitted with a hybrid-electric powertrain. The company has said it will reduce its carbon footprint a jaw-dropping 40 percent by2012.

Drawings from a patent applications showed several variations in which the hybrid system provided all-wheel-drive using an electric or a pair of wheel motors to power one set of wheels, with the other mechanically driven. The drawings included both front- and mid-engine layouts.

Now we're just waiting for other makers to fall in line. Bentley has already pledged biofuel compatibility and carbon cuts, so soon undoubtedly we'll hear from Maserati, Aston Martin, and the rest.

So, about that natural-gas-powered 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 ...

2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

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[Car and Driver via TheCarConnection]