Ferrari Enzo's split personality

Italian supercar maker has joined the hybrid club.

The long-awaited Enzo replacement will join the likes of the Toyota Prius by using an electric motor combined with a petrol engine to save fuel.

Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo confirmed the new car will be unveiled later this year as the company revealed the first details of its new HY-KERS powertrain.

Ferrari's range-topper will reportedly have the same 6.2-litre V12 engine as the recently unveiled F12 Berlinetta, but with power increased from 552kW to 590kW.

 

There'll be an additional 90kW boost from a formula-one style kinetic energy recovery system, that includes two electric motors, bringing the maximum power output to a whopping 680kW. The new engine is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch to send the power to the rear wheels.

But despite all this power, Ferrari claims fuel use will be slashed up to 40 per cent

.

Sources suggest the car, codenamed "F70", will weigh less than 1200 kilograms, thanks to an extensive use of carbon fibre and aluminium.

The culmination points to a 0-100km/h sprint time of less than 2.5 seconds.

"At the end of the year, we'll also be unveiling the new Enzo; a limited-series model and our first ever hybrid car," di Montezemolo said recently.

The Ferrari flagship will join a wave of forthcoming hybrid-powered supercars, including the Porsche 918 Spyder, BMW i8 and the successor to the McLaren F1, rumoured to be called the P12.

There is one downer for local Prancing Horse fans. The $1.2-million-plus supercar is unlikely to be built in right-hand drive.

But if you can afford one, you can probably afford a overseas trip to drive it.

Via: news.drive