Ferrari To Introduce V8 Hybrid Next Year, Probably For Its First-Ever SUV

The LaFerrari was Ferrari’s first-ever hybrid, but now the Italian automaker is looking to offer a petrol electric on a series production model.

Confirmation comes straight from the company’s CEO, Sergio Marchionne, who said that such a powertrain will arrive next year, according to AutoExpress.

“A Ferrari V8 hybrid is coming for 2019. Test mules are around now. It’ll be the first series production hybrid after the limited-run LaFerrari hypercar, but it’s not completely clear which Ferrari model the powertrain will debut in”, said Marchionne.

However, given the timing for its introduction, it could power Ferrari’s first-ever SUV, and since it “needs to become more of a traditional hybrid to fulfill a different role”, according to the brand’s head honcho, you can bet that it will be a plug-in hybrid.

Marchionne says that Ferrari “will embrace electrification” and customers won’t miss the V12. In fact, the official was asked about a possible loss of the brand’s DNA with this move. His answer? “Have you driven a Ferrari hybrid before?”, he replied. “When you do, I’m sure you won’t miss your V12.”

Um, let’s see: the Prancing Horse does have a hybrid. It is the LaFerrari, and it uses a mid-mounted 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 with a KERS system. So yes, mister Marchionne, those who have driven a Ferrari hybrid have done so with a V12, not a V8, and whether you like it or not, the V12 is part of Maranello’s DNA.

Nevertheless, this isn’t the only time that Sergio Marchionne contradicts himself. Remember the famous “you have to shoot me first” statement when he was asked about a Ferrari SUV a couple of years ago? But we’ve become accustomed to the FCA boss’ inconsistency by now, so maybe we shouldn’t be surprised by his not-so-clever answer.

Either way, V12 or no V12, hybrid or no hybrid, the Ferrari SUV is coming to rival the Lamborghini Urus. It has a strategic importance for the Italian automaker, as it’s believed to increase their annual sales to more than 10,000 units, most of them coming from Asian markets, especially China.

Note: Ferrari LaFerrari pictured