Ferrari's red turning green?

Ferrari could unveil a hybrid prototype as early as this December's Los Angeles Motor Show after revealing work is well underway to meet strict 2014 European emissions laws.

American publication Car and Driver has quoted Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa (pictured) as saying such a car could make a public appearance in the near future. "Not at Frankfurt but shortly thereafter, probably at an American show."

This latest development comes after recent Ferrari patents for hybrid systems have been uncovered showing the company is working on a range of all-wheel drive set-ups.

The patents include a system that uses a traditional petrol engine driving the rear wheels with an electric motor to drive the front wheels.

There is also a description and diagram for the opposite system (petrol engine up front and electric motor in the rear) suggesting both its sportscar (F450 and Enzo replacement) and grand tourers (California, 599 and 612) are being considered.

All up Ferrari has submitted four main options to the European patent office that cover a number of variations on the same theme.

"To obtain an automobile with the four-wheel drive that can be engaged, it has been proposed to use a hybrid system of propulsion provided both with an internal -combustion engine and with at least one electric motor," the application states.

"However, the configurations so far proposed to obtain a hybrid four-wheel drive vehicle are complex to produce, present large overall dimensions, and in general are not suited to the characteristics of a high-performance sports car."

But hybrid technology is not the only method Ferrari is working on. Felisa also revealed that the new California is capable of being adapted to run on E85 ethanol fuel opening the way for that technology to be introduced on future models.

Another option to cut emissions could be turbocharged engines. Forced induction is proving a popular method to downsize engine capacity while increasing power. Felisa insisted though that any turbo engine produced by the Italian stable would have to retain the company's famed high-revving characteristics.

All these developments are in addition to the weight saving initiatives announced in 2007. The first model to benefit from that program will be the F450 that is scheduled for its public debut at this year's Frankfurt motor show. It reportedly weighs as much as the lightweight, track-focussed 430 Scuderia despite being bigger and equipped with a more luxurious interior.

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