Ferrari Keeps ICE Hopes Alive with Upside-Down Hydrogen Inline-Six

It is only a patent, but Ferrari has either lost the plot or is onto something with an upside-down hydrogen inline-six motor that could be a step in the right direction to save the beloved internal combustion engine. Here is what we can decipher from the patent so far.

Upside-Down Hydrogen Inline-six

Image: Ferrari

Looking for a new or used Ferrari? Find it here with CARmag!

Automakers occasionally patent singular, far-reaching technologies to safeguard concepts. However, outlining an unconventional vehicle system with multiple unique characteristics is highly unusual and may warrant some raised eyebrows. Ferrari’s latest endeavour titled “CAR PROVIDED WITH A HYDROGEN-POWERED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE” is a document detailing one of several various unconventional systems for a potential future sports car. All these patents are currently applications in both the EU and US, with a single credited inventor, Fabrizio Favaretto. Favaretto, with 24 years of experience at Ferrari, currently holds the position of “Vehicle and Powertrain Architectures Innovation Manager.”

Related: Ferrari Records One of Strongest Local Sales Months for February

The patents depict a hybrid sports car featuring a rear-mounted engine and a front-mounted electric motor. While the specifics of the electric traction system at the front axle are not extensively detailed, the centrepiece remains the rear-mounted engine and transaxle. In the primary embodiment, the combustion engine is an upside-down hydrogen inline-six. Not the first time used, this configuration, reminiscent of some World War II fighter aircraft, allows for a higher placement of the transaxle, enabling the installation of a more aggressive diffuser at the rear. Interestingly enough for those that may believe an inline-six Ferrari is sacrilege, this isn’t the Italian automaker’s first foray into inline-six motors considering experimentation in the mid-1950s had the Prancing Horse create three for racing use based on the Lampredi V12. A 3.0-litre, 3,7-litre and a massive 4,4-litre with a bore and stroke of 102 mm x 90 mm were the results in the 306 S, 376 S and 735 LM respectively. This is further reinforced by comments by Favaretto who states “With the basic [physics] of hydrogen you must forget everything you know about how to design a car. Talk is cheap.”

Related: Ferrari Enzo Claimed by Germany’s Autobahn

Unlike the naturally aspirated versions in the past, Favaretto’s patent looks at featuring forced induction for the engine. These methods include coaxially-mounted centrifugal compressors driven by an electric motor, an MGU-H type system utilizing an exhaust gas turbine for energy recovery, and even direct mechanical superchargers driven by the dual-clutch transmission’s shaft. Despite the unconventional design, the patent addresses concerns about serviceability, ensuring ease of access to vital components such as oil and coolant pumps.

Upside-Down Hydrogen Inline-six

Image: Ferrari

Thus, Ferrari’s envisioned system is an amalgamation of supercharged, upside-down hydrogen inline-six, all-wheel-drive, hybrid sports car and while this all seems too good to be true, Ferrari’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and talented engineers could potentially bring this concept to fruition. It is promising that high-end automakers are experimenting and investing in keeping ICE alive.

Browse thousands of new and used vehicles here with CARmag!

The post Ferrari Keeps ICE Hopes Alive with Upside-Down Hydrogen Inline-Six appeared first on CAR Magazine.


The Car Guide

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Topical tips on buying used – Chapter 1

Image
Buying a used car can be harrowing, whether privately or from a dealer. Here are some tips, as well as some things to watch out for. Beware of low mileages, especially on smaller or cheaper cars. It is always possible that the odometer has been turned back. Some things to bear in mind are:- diesels are often bought because they the driver needs to undertake long trips without consuming vast amounts of fuel. This could be a sales rep, or someone travelling large distances to work, lots of lengthy trip for family holidays, etc. So, usually higher mileages than normal. An expensive or luxury car may not see much time on the road, but very seldom a “workhorse”. This makes the executive cars likely to have a lot more life left than the overworked and abused hatchback. These also spend most of their life in a home garage or undercover parking lot at work. Related: Someone paid more for a mint BMW 325iS Evo 2 than a used M4 A vehicle without any service history is a serious disadvantage
Read more

Top 10 Best-Selling Automotive Brands Locally – April 2024

Image
Following eight consecutive months of sales decline, the milestone of celebrating a century of vehicle production locally saw a welcomed increase in the motor industry for April 2024. Have a look at the data below, which sees Toyota drop in sales but retain the top spot, with Suzuki moving into second and Nissan dropping to the bottom of the list without the NP200 rolling off of the production line. Image: Toyota Looking for your next new or used Porsche? Find it here with CARmag! South Africa is marking 2024 as a significant year for its automotive industry, celebrating 100 years of car manufacturing. Mikel Mabasa, CEO of naamsa , the country’s automotive business council, commented, “As the sun rises on a century of automotive innovation, South Africa proudly commemorates a century of automobile manufacturing excellence. This milestone reflects a journey of resilience, ingenuity, and passion that has shaped the nation’s automotive legacy.” Details on how the industry will commem
Read more

Could this teased Lancia sports car be a reborn Stratos?

Image
Lancia recently teased a coupe-looking model, waiting to be unveiled in their Multiverse. Could this then, signify the return of a historic moniker like the Stratos to the struggling automaker? Image: Lancia #MakeLanciaGreatAgain – a social media phrase that has been making the rounds for the better part of a decade. World Rally Championship titles, Formula 1 single-seat winners and some other gems in between. The Italian automaker litters dates in history and motorsport, with some truly revolutionary ideas and models that aided their bid to become one of the most successful motorsport manufacturers of all time. But that is all in the past. Lancia now contends sole markets with a platform-shared model but there have been ambitious plans under Stellantis ownership to kick-start the automaker and make them great again… words that delight so many enthusiasts and aficionados. Related: Automobili Amos debut Martini Racing Livery Lancia Delta and Safarista What better way to do this th
Read more