All Ferrari V12s Will Be Forced To Go Hybrid By 2021

Although we’ve heard things along these lines before, here’s a bit more information to chew over. Ferrari says it will always keep at least one normally-aspirated V12 in its range, but by 2021 it will be linked to a hybrid system.

According to an Autocar report, Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne has been told by his head of engine programmes that it would be “absolutely nuts” to turbocharge the V12 at all, given that it already posts 789bhp to the rear wheels in the 812 Superfast.

But it’s more than avoiding, err, excess power, apparently, with the brand wanting to maintain the halo effect of the V12 rather than losing those reputation points by downsizing to V8s.

A high-pressure 5000psi direct-injection system is one weapon that Ferrari is using to sneak in “far under” the Euro 6B emissions regulations, despite the Tipo F140 unit having 12 cylinders and all the power.

Marchionne is quoted as saying:

‘‘We will always offer a V12. 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.”

We can thank the Prancing Horse’s technical chief for a little information on time frames, here. Michael Leiters explained the point at which we will see the end of the non-hybrid V12 Ferrari, saying:

“The EU6C legislation [with ‘real driving emissions’] will be a challenge, but we have a solution. After that comes the 2021 Ultra-Low-Emission Vehicle legislation, which will be met with the hybrid V12 powertrain.”