Ferrari V6 hybrid on the cards

Ferrari is set to continue downsizing the displacement of some of its engines, hinting that a V6 petrol-electric hybrid is now within the realms of possibility.

With tightening global emissions standards strong-arming even the world’s most elite marques into making more efficient cars, the question was asked at the Paris motor show this week whether Ferrari would ever consider a V6-powered drivetrain in its line-up.

Ferrari has already undertaken significant measures on an emissions front, namely by introducing breakthrough variants that feature its efficient twin-turbo 3.9-litre petrol V8, including the GTC4 Lusso T revealed in Paris last week. Speculation is also rampant about a revival of the Dino nameplate.

Nicola Boari, product marketing director at the Prancing Horse, said that all options were being explored in order to make hybrids feasible.

“I don’t like to cover our future right now obviously, but yes the battery technology on electric cars and so on, they are going ahead very fast and you can see quite bold steps in regards to the power and also regarding the capacity,” he said.

“Obviously if you’re thinking about a hybrid car, the [reality] is that you will have extra weight and you have to accommodate that extra weight. You have to find a solution that is more compact than today and weighs less than today.

"You also have to think more about downsizing – eight cylinders or six cylinders or whatever – it makes sense.”

A V6 Ferrari is certainly not without precedent, given Ferrari’s proud Dino heritage. The marque is also well-versed on the matter thanks to its involvement in the development of respective drivetrains for sister companies Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

While smaller displacement engines are on the table, Ferrari is adamant it will not enter the electric supercar genre.

Chief technology officer Michael Hugo Leiters confirmed Ferrari would not follow other manufacturers such as McLaren with a fully electric supercar.

“Definitely for us also the electric technology is interesting, but not for reducing emissions but for increasing the performance of the cars,” he said.

“Nevertheless we would not follow to develop a fully electric car; we are convinced that it’s right to have a hybrid car because for us the sound is a very crucially important characteristic of a Ferrari and our customers want to have this.

“For us it’s important to have the right combination, with motor and battery power. There’s a lot to do, for us today the wait … is still too much to have a highly dynamic and highly agile car.

"There’s a lot to do, but anyway, we are convinced that at a certain time there will be a step forward also for Ferrari with a hybrid car.”