Buckle up, Tifosi, because Ferrari's latest patent application might have purists reaching for their smelling salts. The iconic Italian automaker has filed a patent for a hybrid sports car with a twist – a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine!
This isn't just a one-off brainstorm either. The patent, credited to longtime Ferrari engineer Fabrizio Favaretto (with 24 years under his belt), is part of a series of applications hinting at a potential future sports car.
The basic layout is similar to the new Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray, with a gasoline engine in back and an electric motor up front. But Ferrari's twist comes with the engine itself. Imagine an inline-six cylinder engine, but mounted upside down. Why? To make space for the hydrogen fuel tanks, of course!
This unorthodox engine gets even wilder under the hood (or should we say diffuser?). Favaretto's patent explores various methods of forced induction, including a mind-bending idea of two centrifugal compressors flanking a single electric motor.
The patent also tackles serviceability concerns. Oil and coolant pumps would be driven by the camshafts, and a clever design incorporates part of the car's diffuser as a removable engine cover.
Now, before you get too excited (or outraged), it's important to remember that patents are exploratory. The design could change drastically based on the final decisions of Ferrari's braintrust in Maranello.
This unconventional approach has already drawn criticism. Autoguide slammed the technology as "unholy" and even "sacrilege" for a brand like Ferrari. But Favaretto is undeterred. He argues that the unique properties of hydrogen fuel necessitate a whole new approach to car design, throwing out the established rulebook.
Will we ever see a fire-breathing, hydrogen-powered Ferrari spitting flames on the racetrack? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure, this patent application is a fascinating glimpse into Ferrari's innovative spirit, even if it ruffles a few feathers (or breaks a few holy oaths) along the way.
Source: Patent document
Comments
Post a Comment