Enzo Ferrari had started Scuderia Ferrari with an objective to build race cars. He spent quality time with his engineers to build faster cars. After racing on Sunday, he sold his car on Monday to get the money to build even a faster car. Today, even after six decades Ferrari still sells cars to race unlike many car manufacturers who race to sell cars.
Last Formula 1 season saw the introduction of a new technology called the KERS (Kinetic energy recovery system). This year at the Geneva Motor Show Ferrari has displayed its 599 GTB Fiorano with HY-KERS technology. Ferrari has named it as the HY-KERS vettura laboratorio which means experimental vehicle in Italian. The 599 GTB Fiorano gets a hybrid drivetrain and the lithium-ion batteries are placed on the floorpan without affecting the weight distribution of the car.
Magneti-Marelli has developed a 40kg, tri-phase electric motor for the HY-KERS. This is coupled to the rear of the dual-clutch seven-speed Formula 1 transmission and which is capable of giving a boost of 100bhp. Under braking the electric drive unit acts as a generator, using the kinetic energy from the negative torque generated to recharge the batteries. This phase is controlled by a dedicated electronics module which was developed applying experience gained in Formula 1 and, as well as managing the power supply and recharging the batteries, the module also powers the engine’s ancillaries (power steering, power-assisted brakes, air conditioning, on-board systems) via a generator mounted on the V12 engine when running 100 per cent under electric drive. It also incorporates the hybrid system’s cooling pump. This HY-KERS technology will help to reduce pollution and increase the fuel efficiency of the car.
