Ferrari and Lamborghini to Release Hybrids in 2015

Ferrari is testing hybrid technology in its 599 GTB supercar.

Ah, hybrid vehicle technology. Few things get [H] readers’ blood boiling like a discussion on the merits/scams of hybrids. Better save up some blood pressure medication because 2015 will see two iconic Italian supercar manufacturers, Ferrari and Lamborghini, launch their own hybrid models.

Rather than being an all out green warrior however the Lamborghini hybrid will utilise a small electric motor in slow moving urban traffic but will allow full use of either a 10 or 12 cylinder engine (yet to be decided) when in full flight.

Ferrari driver Luca Badoer steps in after Michael Schumacher withdraws

Italy's Luca Badoer will drive for Ferrari at this month's European Grand Prix in Valencia after Michael Schumacher called off a much-anticipated Formula One comeback Tuesday.

Badoer, 38, is a Ferrari test driver whose name was first floated by Italian media after Felipe Massa's crash took him off the race circuit. He joined Scuderia Ferrari as a test driver in 1998.

Badoer told Ferrari's website he had mixed feelings about his chance to drive in a F1 race.

"Since I've been a child I always wanted to race for Ferrari and now I've got the possibility to make this desire come true," he said. "I'm really sorry for Michael, because I know how much he wanted to return. I'm saying that as his friend and his fan."

Schumacher had agreed to drive in Massa's place, but he cancelled his return to F1 as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycling accident earlier this year. He says he informed Ferrari officials Monday evening that he would not be able to step in for Massa.

"I am very unhappy that a problem means that Michael cannot return to racing," Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said. "In the past few days, I could appreciate his great efforts and extraordinary motivation which had spread through the team and fans around the world.

"No doubt his return would have been good for Formula One and I am sure it would have seen him fighting for wins again. In the name of Ferrari and all the fans, I wish to thank him for the strong attachment he displayed for the team in these circumstances."

Montezemolo said the team gave Badoer "the chance to race for the Scuderia after he has put in so many years of hard work as a test driver."

Badoer began racing Formula 3 cars in 1990. He marked his first season with a win at Vallelunga, Italy, and in his second season in 1991 he won four races, finishing fourth out of 50 competitors in the championship, according to the Ferrari website.

"Luca earned wide and definitive recognition in 1992, when he won the Formula 3000 intercontinental title with four race victories and five pole positions," Ferrari said. He began driving F1 cars in 1993 for the Scuderia Italia Team, joining Ferrari in 1998 after 51 Grand Prix starts

First look at Ferrari's all-new '458 Italia' supercar

Luxury Cars: Ferrari has released the first details of its newest supercar, the Ferrari 458 Italia, which represents one of the largest leaps forward in technology, performance and emissions ever seen from the legendary Italian automaker.

Its new 4.5-liter V8 engine produces 570hp (425kW) and 400lb-ft (540Nm) of torque, enough to blast the car to 62mph (100km/h) in less than 3.4 seconds and on to a 202mph (325km/h) top speed, yet it uses less fuel than the car it replaces - the already amazing F430. But these raw figures are just the start of the technological story of Ferrari's newest model.

While the outgoing F430 was largely based on the 360 Modena that preceded it, the Ferrari 458 Italia is a completely new car from every point of view: engine, design, aerodynamics, handling, instrumentation and ergonomics are all new.

The car also benefits hugely from Ferrari's F1 experience. This is particularly evident in the speed and precision with which it responds to driver inputs and in the attention focused on reducing internal friction in the engine for lower fuel consumption than the F430, despite the fact that both overall displacement and power have increased.

The 458 Italia features an innovative driving environment with a new kind of steering wheel and dashboard that is the direct result of racing practice. Once again, input from Michael Schumacher - who was involved from the very start of the 458 Italia project - played a major part.

The Ferrari 458 Italia's Pininfarina design provides further evidence of the complete departure from the past that this new car hails. As with every Ferrari, the car's styling has been very heavily influenced by the requirements for aerodynamic efficiency, as can be seen from the downforce of 140kg at 124mph (200km/h) generated by the new model.

The new V8 is the first Ferrari direct injection engine to be mid-rear mounted. It has a very low piston compression height typical of racing engines that contributed to achieving its compression ratio of 12.5:1. Equipped with the traditional flat-plane crankshaft, the engine delivers its peak 570hp (425kW) at 9,000rpm and, with a power output of 126hp (94kW) per liter, sets a new benchmark not only for the whole Ferrari range and the history of company, but also for the entire market segment.

Maximum torque is 400lb-ft (540Nm) at 6000 rpm, over 80% of which is available from 3,250 rpm.

The 458 Italia is also equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission similar to the unit found in the California. According to Ferrari, the addition of a dual-clutch transmission plus direct injection technology helps lower the car's CO2 emissions to 320g/km and fuel consumption to 13.7L/100km. A low kerb weight also helps here and Ferrari engineers have managed to keep the weight of the 458 Italia down to 1,380kg with a 42/58 front to rear weight distribution.

Dimensions stand at 4,527mm in length, 1,937mm in width, and 1,213 in height. The wheelbase measures in at 2,650mm.

The Ferrari 458 Italia's suspension features twin wishbones at the front and a multi-link set-up at the rear. Furthermore, the integration of the E-Diff and F1-Trac traction control systems (now controlled by the same ECU) and their respective mappings is even greater, resulting in a 32% increase in longitudinal acceleration out of corners compared to previous models.