Ferrari unveils more of the F70 hybrid supercar in Paris

Ferrari is planning to launch the first hybrid model in its history and has unveiled a major component of the F70 supercar in Paris.

Ferrari is planning on developing a new hybrid supercar and has unveiled the composite chassis at the Paris Auto Show. The new high-tech chassis comes directly from Formula 1 technologies. The Italian sports car maker has already revealed much of the drivetrain details ahead of time which is reported to be called F70. Ferrari displayed the new hybrid chassis along with the 2013 California, the all-wheel-drive FF and the new 731 hp 2013 F12 Berlinetta.

The hybrid supercar will produce 920 combined horsepower

The hybrid supercar is expected to get the main power from a 6.3-liter V12 engine producing 800 horsepower. It will be coupled to a 120-hp electric motor that will incorporate an F1-inspired Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). Power will be sent to the wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission coupled to the transaxle. The 920 horsepower Ferrari will blow the upcoming 770 horsepower hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder off the track at Nurburgring with a time of 7:14.

Ferrari has revealed details about the new chassis for their first hybrid sports car. Ferrari says they drew on their vast F1 experience in order to produce the lightweight chassis. The hybrid supercar production will be limited to an undisclosed limited-edition, special series. Ferrari engineers have chosen to use different materials than the typical industrial carbon-fibre manufacturing techniques. Ferrari reveals that materials like RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) did not meet the quality and functional standards they set for their performance cars. 


Four types of carbon fiber used on the composite chassis

Rory Byrne, Ferrari’s F1 chief designer who was behind 11 of the team’s Championship titles, worked with Scuderia Ferrari to develop the high-tech new chassis. The hand-laminated chassis uses four different types of carbon fiber. The first type is used in the main structure and is made from tape-reinforced T800 carbon. A second weight-reducing high tensile strength carbon fiber known as M46J was used on the underbody.

The third carbon fiber is used in the doors as is made of a extra tough T1000 carbon fiber for its impact absorption qualities. Ferrari combined Kevlar with the fourth carbon fiber material that’s used on the under carriage to prevent damage from debris being thrown up from the road. 

Ferrari reports that the overall chassis on the new hybrid supercar will be 
20 per cent lighter than the Enzo Ferrari. And the reduced weight will include housing the new hybrid components. The new carbon fiber chassis will also have an increased torsional rigidity of 27 percent and beam stiffness is up by 22 percent.

Ferrari says they plan to launch the new Hybrid F70 supercar in the near future, and it’s been rumored by the end of the year.

Source: Ferrari