Ferrari to stick with naturally aspirated V12s

Ferrari will always have a naturally aspirated V12 in its line-up, according to company boss, Sergio Marchionne.

His comments quell concerns that the V12 will be downsized and turbocharged, as with Ferrari’s V8s, or even axed entirely. ‘‘We will always offer a V12,” said Marchionne. “Our head of engine programmes told me it would be absolutely nuts to [put a] turbocharger on the V12, so the answer is no. It [will be] naturally aspirated, with a hybrid [system].”

The electrification is not all about lowering CO2, either, said Marchionne: “The objective of having hybrid and electrics in cars like this is not the traditional objective that most people would have. We’re not trying to make two targets. We’re really trying to improve the performance on the track.”

Ferrari technical chief Michael Leiters underlined the intent: “We don’t want to stop production and the small manufacturers’ agreement allows us to continue.”

The V12-powered 812 Superfast, revealed at the Geneva Motor Show last month, is “far under” the current EU6B emissions legislation that will apply for four years. The engine’s performance will be aided by “a 350-bar direct-injection system,” said Leiters.

He added: “The EU6C legislation will be a challenge, but we have a solution. After that comes the 2021 Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle legislation (ULEV), which will be met with the hybrid V12 powertrain.”