The LaFerrari: An environmentally-friendly supercar?
With every other car manufacturer looking at the potential of greener hybrid models, Italian firm Ferrari doesn't plan on being left behind.
Earlier this month, the debut of the fastest street-legal supercar on offer by Ferrarri raised few eyebrows at the £1 million price tag. However, one fact stands out: the LaFerrari is a hybrid.
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The car is capable of 218mph, and for every kilometer, only releases 330g of CO2. Rather than being ran purely on batteries -- which can come with a host of issues including range anxiety -- a petrol engine is instead given extra power through an electric motor. In comparison to the firm's last limited edition supercar, the 2002 Enzo, the LaFerrari is almost 50 percent more powerful but clocks emissions of only half the Enzo.
However, if you're keen to get your hands on the steering wheel -- and have the pockets to prove it -- you may be left disappointed. Only 499 will be made, and buyers can come forward through invitation only.
The development of a hybrid supercar is not just about catering for the environmentally-conscious, but in preparation for the future. Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo commented, "We are preparing ourselves for when we have to have hybrid." In other words, for the predictable time in the future when cities will enforce low-emission car regulations.
"Everything on this car -- the hybrid, electronics, materials and so on -- anticipates the future. It doesn't mean we'll use it all on all our cars tomorrow, but at Ferrari we know the importance of being prepared."
Via: The Financial Times
Image credit: Ferrari
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This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com