The Combustion-Engined Ferrari Isn't Going Anywhere

For any legacy automaker, transitioning to electric-only vehicles is a daunting and challenging task. Even industry stalwarts like Toyota are struggling, although it has come easier for certain rival brands. But it's the ultra-luxury brands that have it worst. If you're Bentley or Rolls-Royce, adopting battery power is no big deal. In fact, the grand dames that waft out of Crewe and Bentley are well-suited to electrification.

It's a problem, however, if you're Ferrari or Lamborghini. A big part of the appeal comes from the engine, a component that disappears in the electric era. The Prancing Horse hasn't shied away from electrification; the SF90 and 296GTB are perfect examples of what Maranello can do with electric assistance. But with a fully-electric model ready to hit the scene in 2025, many fear the legendary Italian brand will lose its charm.

But fear not: the combustion-engined Ferrari is here to stay, and it might stick around longer than originally thought.

We've still got lots to look forward to. The Prancing Horse has announced the advent of 15 new models by 2026, one of which is the V12-powered Purosangue. While battery-powered vehicles are the preferred choice of future propulsion, Ferrari has taken a leaf out of Toyota's book and is also looking into hydrogen as a future solution.

This technology is hotly contested and many have called it impractical. But, as Toyota has shown us, hydrogen has the potential to drastically reduce emissions while still providing the thrills associated with the internal combustion engine. Whether Ferrari can make it work is another story. Synthetic fuels aren't off the table, either. Ferrari won't let the V12 die without a fight.

With regards to its battery-powered models, it's not only the sound and feel that are keeping Maranello's engineers awake at night. As we know, EV batteries are incredibly heavy and weight is the enemy of any supercar - it dulls responses and takes away the sharp edge Ferraris are known for.