Ferrari considering Turbocharging

After VW’s Bentley, Audi AMG and now BMW, Ferrari is now considering using turbochargers in its future engines. We all are very much aware of the twin-turbocharged V8’s in BMW’s X5M and X6M as well as the twin turbo V12 and V8 AMG engines’ huge power output. So this may have prompted Ferrari to consider turbocharging.

Alternatively, the new tighter emission norms and fuel efficiency standards would mean down-sizing along with the addition of turbos to extract power. Before Ferrari introduces the technology, they say that some serious advancement is required, especially with the lag faced in such a setup, as quoted by Ferrari engine developer Jean-Jacques.  “Turbocharging will come eventually, but we need to solve the issue of turbo lag,”

He explained that delay in power delivery was totally unacceptable from a Ferrari engine. It’s unlikely that Ferrari will be using Multiair, the Fiat Group’s variable valve technology in the near future. He said Ferrari had tried applying the system to an F430’s V8 but couldn’t get it to work at the power outputs required. “The main benefit from Multiair comes in torque,” he said, “and it is difficult to get it to work at high revs.” Let us recall that the F40 with its twin turbo V8 was one of the last models to sport a turbo.

He also quoted that Ferrari’s dual clutch transmission fitted on the California and the 458 Italia of late still has enough strength to take on a V12 and has a rev limit of 10,000rpm, so the future V12’s are likely to get this transmission as well.

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