Ferrari's Electric Supercars Will Retain Mid-Engine Feel

A new patent shows clever packaging.

A little more than two years ago, we found conclusive evidence that Ferrari wasworking on an electric supercar. Of course, the Italian automaker has since given us the good news that the brand willnever go fully electric, but that doesn't mean that it won't offer any EVs either. In fact, we've been told that electric Ferraris will beawesome to drive, and based on our experiences with hybrids like theFerrari SF90 Stradale马拉内洛,我们不怀疑,可以实现这一点magic trick with ease. More evidence that electrified Ferraris will be fun has now been uncovered byThe Drive, thanks to a patent recently filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

USPTO

The patent in question was first filed in Italy in December 2018, but it was only December 2019 when it was filed with the USPTO. The patent was finally published here on January 11, 2022. All of this suggests that the idea is still noteworthy and is being pursued. But what exactly is the patent all about?

Well, it pertains to an "electric or hybrid sport car," says the documentation. The imagery clearly shows a "mid-engine" two-seater with no motor. The focus of this patent is the massive mid-mounted battery back, which is supplemented by up to three additional floor-mounted battery packs. All of these power storage units are mounted to a kind of subframe that bolts into the main monocoque, implying that this is a modular system capable of being installed in a variety of applications.

USPTO

It seems that this system could apply to either a fully electric vehicle or a hybrid, so there's no solid confirmation that Ferrari is developing an EV as yet: "Even though the [illustrations] do not show any heat engine, it can be housed in the front part of the car or behind the rear battery pack [...] thus defining a configuration in which the rear battery pack is interposed between the heat engine and the seats of the car."

If a hybrid vehicle does come of this design, spare a thought for the poor mechanic who will have to navigate an exceptionally tight engine bay during services.

Ferrari/YouTube

Ferrari

The filing goes on to say that the layout will be angled in a way that allows airflow to both cool the batteries and aid in downforce. We also see evidence that various types of battery cells are being considered for both their ability to take on charge and to discharge that power, so it shouldn't be an inconvenience to own. Hopefully, this patent is the first of much more info to come on Ferrari's first EV. But even if it ain't, the filing is surefire proof that Ferrari is obsessing over the details on its future electrified products. Let's hope the end product is worth the effort.