Car giant says hybrids are the future and commits to new range of hi-spec Ferrari supercars
(Pic: Clément Bucco-Lechat)
Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo says that more hybrids are on the way after the successful launch of the $1.34 million LaFerrari, which has already sold out.
Launched at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, this was the first ever car with hybrid technology to come out of Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters.
“I don’t believe in the electric cars, but I strongly believe in hybrids,” said Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo in an interview with Bloomberg.
The LaFerrari boasts a speed of 0-62mph in under 3 seconds making it the fastest ever road-car.
Production is limited to just 499 cars which emit only 330 g/km of CO2 reducing emissions by 40%.
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Ferrari’s interest in hybrids is part of a growing trend by carmakers to offer high-performance cars with reduced emissions.
BMW unveiled the final production version of its much anticipated 100% electricity car last month, which it says has low running costs and fast charging times.
At the Frankfurt Auto Show next week several companies will be displaying their hybrid wares including Mercedes with its third hybrid model of the new S-Class, which has CO2 emissions of 69g/km.
Land Rover will be launching hybrid diesel SUVs for the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models which it said in a statement can travel up to a mile on electric power alone, at speeds of 30 mph.
Porsche is set to unveil its US$845,000 918 Spyder plug-in hybrid at the show, claiming that “never before has a super car designed for everyday use offer such an impressive dynamic performance combined with the fuel consumption of a compact car.”
A Ferrari spokesman told RTCC the company, long associated with gas guzzling Formula One cars, was now investing heavily in energy efficiency measures on its range.
“We are now working towards even further reductions in CO2 over the next five years, and, in fact, our CEO recently announced that the majority of Ferrari’s R&D spend over the next period would be on reducing CO2,” they said.
“Our R&D will find new ways to deliver the same level of performance but with a greener footprint.”