The auto industry is going through a period of major changes, as ever stricter emissions regulations push automakers to ditch naturally aspirated engines for more fuel efficient downsized, turbocharged units. Sports car manufacturers can’t escape this trend either – not even Ferrari, known for its high-revving, naturally aspirated powerplants.
Earlier this year we’ve seen a video of a Ferrari California testing what sounded like a turbocharged engine, which can only mean turbocharged Ferraris are on their way. Currently, all Ferrari models have naturally aspirated engines, but according to a recent report from MotorTrend magazine, the automaker will switch to turbocharged cars when the current lineup is replaced in the following years.
While turbocharging will make Ferraris more fuel efficient and even more powerful, one can’t help but wonder what will happen to the special character of the cars made in Maranello? As they can’t rev as high as naturally aspirated engines, modern force-fed units lack the spine-tingling sound that is such an important part of a sports car – not to mention a supercar. I’m not saying the twin-turbocharged V8 in the Ferrari F40 didn’t sound good, but the naturally-aspirated V12 of its successor, the F50, had a much more dramatic roar.
However, Ferrari’s switch to turbocharged units is not only caused by emissions standards, it is also a consequence of the change in Formula 1 regulations. Starting next season, naturally aspirated 2.4-liter V8 engines will be replaced by 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 units. Ferrari has always marketed its road cars as using technology derived from Formula 1, so that makes sense.
So what is your opinion on this, is Ferrari’s decision to go turbo the right thing to do for the brand?
By Dan Mihalascu
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