Is Ferrari Working On a Hybrid Sports Car?

TopSpeed

By Kirby Garlitos

Published Sep 18, 2018

It's either that or the company's developing a hybrid powertrain

A Ferrari test mule sporting the face of the Ferrari 458 was captured on video under the power of what appears to be (or sounds like) a hybrid-based powertrain. The video, which showed up on YouTube last July, has been thrust back into the spotlight because of the unusual configuration. At the very least, there are a number of clues on the car that points to what Ferrari is doing, specifically developing hybrid technology for use on one — or more — of its future cars.

By all accounts, Ferrari’s push to develop hybrid technology is now in full swing. That’s one of the best explanations we can give on why this particular 458-based test mule looks the way it does. It’s unlikely that Ferrari’s bringing back the 458 so why is this prototype wearing that face? It also has the same headlights and taillights as the 458. Seems strange for Ferrari to roll out a test car with this design, unless there’s more to the vehicle than what we can see on the surface.

The thing is, there is a lot more to this prototype than what our eyes can see. Look closer, and you’ll notice that it also features a custom hood with massive air ducts. Speaking of ducts, notice that large roof scoop at the back? The Ferrari 458, or any other Ferrari for that matter, never had that. More than anything else, that clear panel is as good a sign as any that this 458-based test vehicle is a hybrid car. Turn the volume up on the video, too. Did you hear anything when the car passed by while it was being recorded? The engine was barely audible, and we all know what that means. At least in that section, the car was running on electricity.

So what exactly does all of this mean? The test mule is the latest indication that Ferrari is serious about hybrid technology. Back in April, the late Sergio Marchionne, who was the CEO of the company at the time, confirmed that the Italian automaker was working on a hybrid powertrain. Marchionne even went so far as to say that the company’s development of the technology would yield a hybrid V-8 powertrain, which it plans to unveil sometime in 2019 on a still unnamed vehicle.

The timeline would sync because the SUV is also expected to arrive next year. If it’s not the SUV, there’s a chance that we could see the hybrid unit in a new Ferrari supercar, or possibly as a different variant of one of the company’s current model. Either way, it’s become clear that Ferrari’s plan to develop hybrid technology was more than just lip service. Judging by the test mule on this video, the Prancing Horse is, in fact, going hybrid.

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