Ferrari going Green (literally) with the Ferrari 599 HY-KERS Hybrid Concept

Based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, the HY-KERS is perhaps what the future direction for Ferrari is going to be like where they claims that in 3 to 5 years’ time, they will be rolling out hybrids in its product lines, on top of its other supercar models. How it all pans out in then remains to be seen but at the moment, the gas-electric engines would most likely be the only way forward for them.

The 599 comes with a 6 speed automated manual transmission gearbox and this had been replaced with the 7 speed dual clutch unit which you can get from the 458 Italia model. Getting you up to 107 horses is the electric motor which also comes with 111 lb-ft of torque through its lithium-ion batteries where the weight of the car is being increased substantially. If you are looking for a sports car, this would surely not be it. As with its recent 4 door Ferrari, some say that they are going ‘soft’. But then again, others like Porsche too has gone down the same line with its Panamera.

Despite the additional cargo (batteries), they have managed to ensure that the car is not over-burdened by it by placing the battery packs below the floor pan while behind the rear transaxle is where you will find the motor and electronics which result in a lower center of gravity. Apart from that, according to Ferrari, they have also adhered to the concept of one more horsepower for every kilogram added, so that would pretty much be substantial. So like it or not, Prius-similar or not, they surely have the whole Ferrari-driving experience in mind when they decided to make this model. Of course, its V12 engine is still very much the trademark of the Prancing Horse but ultimately it might not be the most impressive hybrids around, but it is still a positive step forward. But then again, isn’t the colour for eco-friendly cars blue?