A mysterious Ferrari prototype, based on the 488
GTB, has been spied testing in complete silence at the company’s Fiorano track
in Italy. The short video captures the moment the supercar accelerates silently
down the main straight at the circuit. Now, since Ferrari is far from being
ready to give up on the internal combustion engine, this likely isn’t an
all-electric prototype, but instead one outfitted with a hybrid powertrain
that’s capable of running purely on electricity.
Ferrari has been surprisingly open about its
development of a hybrid powertrain in recent months. In fact, chief executive
Sergio Marchionne confirmed at the Geneva Motor Show that the brand will launch
a V8 hybrid in 2019. Unlike the hybrid system used by the LaFerrari hypercar,
which was implemented solely to improve performance, this new V8 hybrid will
also have a positive impact on efficiency.
Based on this video, it is apparent that the V8
hybrid powertrain will be capable of running on all-electric power for a
reasonable distance, probably in excess of 16 km. By comparison, the
LaFerrari only features a secret electric mode that allows it to be driven silently
in and out of a garage. It remains unclear which Ferrari model will premiere
the new hybrid in question. Our best guess is that it will probably be found in
the successor to the 488 GTB, or the automaker’s upcoming SUV.
