Some rumors suggest that Ferrari is planning to reveal its first EV in October, at its Capital Markets Day, and bring it into production next year. Whenever it does arrive, the four-door electric is expected to be something special. The Purosangue is no ordinary SUV, and nobody expects Maranello’s first EV to be any less impressive. Ferrari hasn’t been idle, and several new patents give an insight into what might make this and other future plugged-in Prancing Horses as spectacular as their V12 counterparts.
Italians Are All About Emotion, And Ferrari Is The Most Passionate
To create an environment in which the Ferrari F80 buyer feels just as connected to the car, Ferrari is exploring various means of creating sensations, both aural and physical.
- Simulated Engine Sounds via Vibrating Rotor and Electric Axle: One patent describes an electric axle with a vibrating rotor that generates an audible sound. This means that the driver can be connected to the car’s powertrain through both the seat of their pants and the sounds reaching their ears. Albeit not a direct connection, this could help one handle an EV with finesse, and the suggestion that V8 and V12-like sounds could be generated implies a system working with shifts, which brings us to the next patent.
- Gear Shift Sound Simulation: Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, one of the keys to an emotional EV experience is the sound associated with shifting, according to this patent. But sound alone is not necessarily enough, especially not for Ferrari.
- Gear Shift Feel Simulation: To that end, another patent suggests a system that simulates the feel of a shift, effectively baking in a minor and momentary performance cut for the sake of engagement. This should be very helpful in high-performance driving, where a gear, fake or otherwise, can help one get a sense of speed and grip.
- Dual-Clutch Gear Shift Simulation: On that note, yet another patent proposes mimicking a dual-clutch transmission specifically, where a momentary drop in torque and then a wave of returning torque are meant to closely imitate the shortcomings and drama of combustion-powered delivery.
Ferrari Has A Proud History Of Being Fast – And Not Just In A Straight Line
An automaker born from racing and with its own test track needs to justify the shield on its EVs, and several patents show how the performance envelope can be pushed.
- Dual Motor Rear Axle for Aerodynamics & Performance: This patent suggests that a more compact packaging system – where each of the rear axle’s motors are mounted in close proximity to each other, presumably with longer driveshafts – could allow for improved aerodynamics, and one can already imagine the potential benefits of a car that has plenty of negative space just after the cockpit.
- Aerodynamic Electric Motors: Alternatively and/or in addition to the above, another patent suggests that one motor exist near the center of the car’s rear subframe, near where the differential might traditionally sit, and with a design similar to a differential, this could apportion torque to each axle through transference. Thus, Ferrari says a low-mass aerodynamic shape could be created that flows with the underbody of the car, further enhancing aerodynamic efficiency. Ferrari notes that any aerodynamic losses reduce time on the track due to diminished range. This leads us to battery tech.
There’s No Point Building A Great EV If It Can’t Go Very Far
To try get a leg-up in the always-competitive EV race, Ferrari needs innovations in chemistry and design, and it seems to have a few.
- Boron Nitride Coating for Cooling & Safety: This material is both thermally conductive and electrically insulating, which is always good new for batteries that struggle to operate optimally when enduring extreme temperatures. In a high-performance EV, a lot of that extreme heat will be generated nearly instantly, and again, the longer the vehicle can operate within its peak window, the more convincing it will be as a Ferrari. You also don’t want anyone getting hurt because something overheated – that’s for old Italian cars, not new ones.
- Innovative Thermoregulation System: This patent actively cools the battery system through a radiator, bypass valves, and a thermoregulation system, but it also includes a heating element to warm up the battery – ideal for those ski trips in Aspen or the Alps.
- Refrigerated Unit for Battery & Power Electronics: Carrying on the theme from above, this cools both the battery and other electronics, which should mean it could make other cooling systems redundant.
Get Going Fast: This Needs To Be A Pitstop, Not A Test Of Patience
Besides being a high-performance automaker, Ferrari is also in the upper echelons of ultra luxury, and thus, convenience must be considered alongside all other traits.
- Curved Battery Pack for Aerodynamics: In order to keep the center of gravity down, the battery pack must be placed in the floor of the EV, and since it’s there, it may as well serve a dual-purpose, achieved through creative packaging and sculptural skinning.
- Improved Voltage Measurement System: This patent showcases a battery pack that uses conductive planes and spring-conducting elements to enhance voltage measurement reliability. This could ultimately mean better battery management and efficiency, and as boring as that initially sounds, ensuring precise energy distribution makes for optimal – and repeatable – performance.
- Releasable Charging Port: This idea is one that we wouldn’t naturally associate with the brand as it focuses on saving the customer money. Here, a releasable charging port is proposed because it may prevent damage if somebody accidentally snags the charging cable. This sounds like something created for those who may return to their car after leaving it to charge and simply drive off, as we’ve seen people do at gas stations. The difference is, one doesn’t have a gas pump connected to their car for hours at a time, so it’s something that can easily be forgotten.
- Remotely Operated Charging Port: Another related patent introduces a charging port that can be opened from inside the passenger compartment via a switch. This adds convenience, especially in adverse weather conditions or in areas where you might not want to venture beyond the boundaries of your $300,000 supercar.
What These Patents Tell Us About Ferrari’s First EV
Ferrari wants its first electric car to be emotionally and physically engaging, precise, fast, aerodynamic, capable of long stints of driving – whether on track or between destinations – quick and easy to charge, safe, and reliable.
Whatever form this and future electric follow-ups may take, Ferrari is carefully crafting every last element with the knowledge that the world is watching, and in many cases, waiting to mock. This Ferrari must exceed any other in some ways because it needs to convince the Tifosi that it is worthy of being associated with the obsessive Enzo, and for an EV, that’s twice as tough.
