Ferrari :: turbos, hybrids to yield 20 per cent emissions reduction by 2021 says engine boss

Speaking with industry journal Automotive News Europe, powertrain director Vittorio Dini said Ferrari will widen its use of turbochargers on its V8 powerplants, while continuing to team hybrid systems with V12 engines.

"Our average CO₂ emissions are currently about 270 grams of CO₂ per kilometre,” Dini said, citing a figure that is down about 40 per cent from 435g/km in 2007.

“We want to use all the available technologies to reduce emissions by three per cent each year, which means approximately a 20 per cent decrease by 2021."

Spurred on by the near 20 per cent CO₂ emission reduction seen in the Ferrari California T's switch to a turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 (pictured above) from its predecessor's naturally aspirated 4.3-litre V8, Dini said in the future all Ferrari V8 engines will use turbos.

Going further, he added the Italian car maker’s next challenge for its V8 units is to decrease capacity while at the same time boost power outputs.

Dini said turbochargers are not ideal for V12 engines, however, due to four turbos being required to achieve the targeted reductions.

Highlighting space and heat as the two biggest issues related to turbocharging, the former head of Ferrari’s Formula One engine design and development said for its V12 engines Ferrari would continue to rely on hybrid solutions, such as its F1-derived HY-KERS system.

Tied to a 588kW/700Nm 6.3-litre V12 in the LaFerrari, the HY-KERS hybrid system helps increase the million dollar hypercar’s figures to 708kW and in excess of 900Nm. Ferrari’s current V12 range also includes the 545kW/690Nm F12 Berlinetta (pictured above) and 486kW/630Nm FF.

For contrast, the La Ferrari claims CO₂ emissions of 330g/km, down almost 50 per cent on the car it replaced, the 485kW/657Nm Enzo.

The Italian car maker’s target of achieving “the same percentage reduction trend as volume automakers” comes despite Ferrari producing about 7000 units a year and being part of the newly named Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA).

According to the report, Ferrari is treated as a stand-alone company in terms of meeting global CO₂ emissions targets due to its size and headquarters and technical centres being separate from its parent brand Fiat. Dini says the advantage of this is that Ferrari is able to negotiate its own targets with both European Union regulators and the US’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

At the recent regional premiere of the new Ferrari California T, Ferrari Australasia president and CEO Herbert Appleroth hinted that the brand might even have more advancements up its sleeve, saying, “There may be a new technology that comes out beyond HY-KERS. Who knows…"

Appleroth also confirmed plans outlined earlier in the year by FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne, saying to expect "at least one new model from Ferrari every year".