Top Cars

We know that Ferrari is working on turbochargers and all-wheel-drive hybrids, and the hybrid portion of that equation could show up as soon as this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. If so, Autocar supposes the car in question will be the new Ferrari F450. As Jaguar has reportedly planned with the XE, Ferrari could show off a hybrid F450 first in order to make an even bigger splash.

Yet even if the production model doesn't show up on dealer floors with some alternative energy system, it is still expected to show off plenty of top tier technology. A "lightweight aluminum structure" will house a seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, traction control and programming to eliminate understeer, and radiators forward of the front wheels.

The KERS system employed by the Ferrari F1 team and being trialled on that ludicrous 599XX are also slated for the F450, but that will apparently come with the hybrid car and Ferrari thinks customers might not be ready for that yet. For now, the Prancing Horse is said to be working on direct-injection evolutions of its current engines, which it feels will meet Euro emissions standards until 2014.

[Source: Autocar]