Skip to main content

What is 'an obscene concept' for Ferrari?

If you were to ask the chairman of Ferrari what idea would never happen for the brand, what do you think his answer would be?
Posted: March 8, 2016 - 2:35PM
Author: Will Maley

According to Motor Authority, the answer is electric vehicles. Speaking with reporters at the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari chairman Sergio Marchionne isn't enthused with an all-electric model wearing the prancing horse emblem.

"With Ferrari, it's almost an obscene concept," said Marchionne.

The reason? It comes down to the experience of driving a Ferrari. Marchionne explained the howl of V8 or V12 nestled under the hood of a Ferrari vehicle adds a special touch when driving one. Having a near-silent electric powertrain takes that out.

But that doesn't mean Ferrari isn't thinking about the future. Back in 2013, former chairman Luca di Montezemolo said after the reveal of the LaFerrari (their flagship hypercar with a hybrid powertrain), there would be more Ferrari models with hybrid tech.

"I don't believe in the electric cars, but I strongly believe in hybrids," said Montezemolo.

Last month, British publication Autocar uncovered a patent filed by the Italian sports car builder that featured plans for a new production hybrid model. The hybrid would use slim batteries mounted built into the floor structure and an electric motor attached to the transmission.