Geneva 2010: Ferrari 599 GTB Hybrid Concept Unveiled

The Ferrari 599 Hybrid falls under the category of cars that no car enthusiast would look forward to. However, Ferrari has voiced a singular warning: Either it is the hybrid that would dominate Ferrari’s line-up of vehicles, or there would be no Ferrari cars at all. The declaration comes at a time when protests against environmental polluting by cars is on the rise both in the U.S. and the European countries. The Ferrari 599 Hybrid concept made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, creating a lot of interest in the future of Ferrari.

Ferrari has used the setup where one motor is integrated into its seven-speed dual-clutch transmission system, offering the perfect balance of balance of weight, complexity, and performance. The hybrid version also has the modified version of the Getrag dual-clutch gearbox, normally found in the 458 Italia and the California. Two lithium-ion battery packs with a combined capacity of 3-kWh are placed right under the chassis where they aid in lowering the car’s center of gravity without affecting the airflow underneath. To cut down on weight, Ferrari proposes to use a copious amount of carbon fiber and aluminum.

Ferrari engineers remain unanimous on the fact that hybridization is the only possible answer to meet the new emission standards set both in the U.S. and Europe. Any failure to adhere to the set of rules would force Ferrari to pay hefty fines or even worse, stop manufacturing cars all together. The European Union requires all mass market cars to emit lower than 130 grams of CO2 per kilometer by 2015. The equivalent target for small-volume manufacturers like Ferrari hasn’t been announced yet. In the U.S., all cars are required to meet the minimum fuel consumption rate of 35 miles per gallon by 2020. Currently, the most fuel efficient car produced by Ferrari, the new 458 Italia emits 307 grams of CO2 per kilometer, and delivers 11 miles per gallon in the city and 15 miles per gallon on highways.

Ferrari reported that we won’t be seeing any hybridized prancing horse any time soon, at least not until the vehicles are redesigned or replaced. So, it might take years before we see this concept turn into reality.

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