Ferrari AWD

[johnnyperl]

From Italiaspeed.com

NEW DRIVELINE TECHNOLOGY BEING DEVELOPED FOR FUTURE FERRARI SUPERCARS
One form of technology that will be seen on future Ferrari supercars is the Uniair variable valve system, developed by Centro Ricerche Fiat. Not only beneficial for everyday cars, where fuel economy and emissions are improved, the Uniair system also delivers higher power output per unit volume. Applying the Uniair system to the standard 6.0 litre V12 Enzo engine alone would boost power output to approximately 800bhp. Due to the latest developments in the sector, with the arrival of the Mauro Forghieri developed MF1 supercar on the horizon, and the Bugatti Veyron recording a new top-speed record, a 6.8 litre V12 engine is now also on the cards.

With all of this extra power, Ferrari understand that their current rear-wheel-drive system will not suffice. "As is known, in some conditions, high-performance cars have great difficulty discharging the power from the engine to the road. In recent years, therefore, a number of major car manufacturers have begun marketing high- performance car models with four-wheel drives.

"Besides effectively solving the problem of discharging the power from the engine to the road, such a solution also provides for greatly improving control, road-holding in poor-grip conditions, and therefore intrinsic safety of the vehicle," say Ferrari. "Unfortunately, currently marketed four-wheel-drive car transmissions have the major drawback of being extremely heavy and bulky, thus creating serious design problems in terms of location within the vehicle and weight distribution over the two vehicle axles. The structure of currently marketed transmissions, in fact, is derived directly from that normally employed in off- road vehicles, in which the weight and bulk of the transmission are considered secondary to strength and simplifying construction."

With this approach in mind, Ferrari have developed and patented a four-wheel-drive vehicle transmission, which is more compact and lightweight than those currently used, and which is suitable for use in high-performance cars such as the Enzo replacement. With this technology available, Ferrari will be prepared to take part in what is becoming a new supercar challenge.

[Rockefella]

And they'll most likely use this platform to build an SUV.

[Wouter Melissen]

And they'll most likely sneak it into Formula 1 with the help of the FIA to beat the opposition.

[matek]

why why why

ehy do these companies want to build 4x4s?

[johnnyperl]

why why why

ehy do these companies want to build 4x4s?

by 4X4 do you mean cars like the Cayenne or like the Murcielago/Gallargo? because this is not a system for an SUV. im probably just not getting the sarcasm (its 3:50 in the morning for me )

i wouldnt mind having an 800hp ferrari to take me skiing

[targa]

i like the idea of a awd ferrari...but i will just hope that its not going to make way for an SUV

[matek]

it goes against all ferrari beliefs.

but still that would be pretty cool then atleast u wouldn't fear for yr life when yr in the scallatelli driving up some mountain pass with yr skis with the back end sliding outwards

[scottie300z]

With all of this extra power, Ferrari understand that their current rear-wheel-drive system will not suffice. "As is known, in some conditions, high-performance cars have great difficulty discharging the power from the engine to the road. In recent years, therefore, a number of major car manufacturers have begun marketing high- performance car models with four-wheel drives.

With this technology available, Ferrari will be prepared to take part in what is becoming a new supercar challenge.

I dont know if ya'll read it all, but its not to make a suv. Its so their cars can handle the more power that they will make due to the better technology ferrari will be using with its engines. Why would ferrari build a suv? why do you think they want to? The last sentence says what they want to use this for, to make another supercar. Dont worry, everything will be ok.

[Matra et Alpine]

I dont know if ya'll read it all, but its not to make a suv. Its so their cars can handle the more power that they will make due to the better technology ferrari will be using with its engines. Why would ferrari build a suv? why do you think they want to? The last sentence says what they want to use this for, to make another supercar. Dont worry, everything will be ok.

Think PORSCHE and you'll see where some of the sarcasm was coming from.

The designers and engineers who worked on the 959 are probably crying in their lagers at the Cayenne

[Rockefella]

I dont know if ya'll read it all, but its not to make a suv. Its so their cars can handle the more power that they will make due to the better technology ferrari will be using with its engines. Why would ferrari build a suv? why do you think they want to? The last sentence says what they want to use this for, to make another supercar. Dont worry, everything will be ok.

Because Ferrari wouldn't say, "we're making a new AWD platform to outfit the 'insert their new SUV name here' in 2010!"

Although they're most likely telling the truth, refining the drivetrain could return in a perfect transmission for a luxo-exotic SUV, 2-4 years after the release of the 4wd system.

[scottie300z]

i understand that porsche made a suv, but people have to understand porsche has to appeal to the mass market more then ferrari. Ferrari is also more stable financially, and there is no reason to be worried when the it says plainly that this technology will be used to harness power to help control a supercar. Read the article for gods sakes, you should be happy. Nobody has said they are anxious to see what this next supercar is, only oh no suv. But if you read it, you can ascertain that the next supercar will most likely have more power then the enzo, and a lightweight awd system the likes that we havent seen, or that have been used. Thats a big jump forward, be happy.

Do you really think that Ferrari will put out a suv now? Its not their market, and there really isnt a reason why they would want it to be, unlike porsche. And it would mean ferrari would be turning its back on years of racing pedigree and making exclusivly cars. In my mind it would ruin its image, and hurt the company more.

[scottie300z]

Because Ferrari wouldn't say, "we're making a new AWD platform to outfit the 'insert their new SUV name here' in 2010!"

Why wouldnt they? It wouldnt be a bad marketing move to do that, it would peak anticipation and get really good coverage. Why do you think car companys drive their prototype cars out on the road in their disguises? they could just keep them in their test tracks. But they dont, thats b/c they want people to take spy shots of these things. That gets them in magazines, its all marketing people.

And im guessing your saying they wouldnt come out and say it b/c they'd be embarressed or something? If they are embarressed why would they make it?

[Matra et Alpine]

You think Ferrari are financially stable ?
That'll be a FIRST for the company - EVER !!

Remember Fiat actually made over $1B LOSS only offset by GMs willingness to give them $2B to prevent a lawsuit IIRC they are due to release the group financials and we'll eb able to see how much 'real' profit there is in the business and how much bank-rolling - Maserati anyone ??????


Back 10 years ago NOBODY woudl ahve said SUVs were Porsche' market.

They went that way because of the "McDonalds" philosophy... viz we can make more money selling sh!te to American public than selling quality products

[Matra et Alpine]

Why wouldnt they? It wouldnt be a bad marketing move to do that, it would peak anticipation and get really good coverage. Why do you think car companys drive their prototype cars out on the road in their disguises? they could just keep them in their test tracks. But they dont, thats b/c they want people to take spy shots of these things. That gets them in magazines, its all marketing people.

erm you do realise that tracks represent only a fraction of possibel roads and conditions ?
It's kind of hard to make Nardo as warm as Death Valley and as cold as Iceland !!!!
you need to drive the prototypes on the road if you plan to make ANY changes that those conditions show up.
The Jag XJ40s dorve around the world for about 6 months doing these kinds of tests.
LONG before the latest "paparazzi" desire for these shots.

And im guessing your saying they wouldnt come out and say it b/c they'd be embarressed or something? If they are embarressed why would they make it?

the point is they woudlnt' come out and say SUV !!
Just liek Porsche made no mention of the slugs during the 959 and Carrera days

[scottie300z]

good point, i was just going off of this quote i remember reading from the lamb suv thread that was going on sometime back,

in porsches defense though theyve got to ensure they're making as much money as possible as theyre not as financially secure as ferrari and lamborghini

They went that way because of the "McDonalds" philosophy... viz we can make more money selling sh!te to American public than selling quality products

You really think the cayenne is crap? or are you just saying that suvs in general are?

Back 10 years ago NOBODY woudl ahve said SUVs were Porsche' market.

10 years is a long time in the market. But its more understanding that porsche would seeing as how they already have cars made w/ more mass appeal, boxster.

And if ferrari was building a suv to save them from financial woes, would it work? It wouldnt b/c its not like they are going to price them to move in very large numbers, not anymore then any other ferrari. So a suv would not net ferrari really any more significant amount of profit then they already make. Ferrari itself makes money, Fiat isnt going to mess with them in order to make its money back, what it will do will see where its loosing its money and work to turn those around. Ferrari isnt on its way down or bringing down the company.