The Purosangue SUV isn't the only all-new model Ferrari is cooking up. Spy shots of mysterious prototypes have revealed the Italian automaker is developing a new hybrid supercar that will slot below the SF90 Stradale, and now Car Magazine has uncovered some juicy details about the mysterious new model.
Codenamed the F171, the new mid-engine supercar will utilize Ferrari's new twin-turbo V6, which was confirmed to be in development in 2019. This same unit will also power the Purosangue and allow Ferrari to electrify 60 percent of its model lineup by 2022 to meet increasingly strict emissions regulations.
"For the future we are developing the V6 engine, which has benefits in terms of duty exemption [3.0 liters is a key threshold in some important global markets] and also electrification,' said Enrico Galliera, Ferrari's chief marketing and commercial officer. "This will give us a new approach and price positioning, and allow us to create a larger family."
Ferrari's V8 powerplant, on the other hand, will still power front-engined cars like the Roma and flagship models like the SF90 with electrification. The publication claims Ferrari's new entry-level supercar will utilize a 120 degree 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with twin turbos with a hybrid pack providing part-time boosting, torque fill, and reducing turbo lag.
In contrast to the all-wheel-drive SF90, the F171 will allegedly be rear-wheel drive and pack a single electric motor mounted inline with the crank providing an electric driving range of 15-20 miles. While a six-cylinder Ferrari may sound sacrilegious, it makes sense since the V6 powerplant will be lighter, shorter, and more efficient than a V8 to compensate for the extra weight added by the electric motor and battery.
A new "aluminum-intensive architecture" underpinning the F171 will also help offset the weight of the hybrid system. As for the output, this setup is expected to generate around 700 horsepower, with the V6 producing around 590 hp and the electric motor adding an extra 110 hp. A model name hasn't been confirmed, but Ferrari has already scrapped plans to revive the Dino nameplate.
Effectively, this means the F171 will replace the V8-powered F8 Tributo, which produces 710 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque from a twin-turbo 3.9-liter V8. Combined with the instant response and torque provided by the electric motors, the F171 will be thrilling to drive thanks to new driver-assist electronics such as slide control and rapid, more responsive steering. Ferrari's new hybrid supercar will be revealed sooner, rather than later, too, as the publication claims the F171 will debut later this year and go on sale with a price tag of more than £200,000 ($278,125).