Ferrari Patent Reveals Front-Mount Battery, And Front-Wheel Drive
Ferrari has just been issued a patent that reveals more of its electric vehicle plans. The patent is for a new type of motor that Ferrari says will make more power and be more efficient to drive its future models. But this strangely specific patent filing gives us a glimpse at some other pieces of information.
Of particular interest, the Italian supercar company is looking at moving components like the battery far forward in the car, possibly where the V12 in something like the 12Cilindri would be. This design considers hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, but also something very un-Ferrari-like: front-wheel drive.
Patent Discusses New Motor, Front-Mount Battery, And FWD
That’s right, and it has us reeling too. In the patent filing, Ferrari says that its new motor tech would “preferably” be adapted to “drive into rotation only the rear wheels,” which is exactly what Ferrari buyers want. But the next line is a shocker: “In a different embodiment, however, the front wheels could be drive wheels in addition to, or in place of, the rear wheels” (our emphasis). Who is excited for the first front-drive Ferrari EV? Anyone? Bueller?
Don’t worry, that’s more likely just covering its bases so someone else doesn’t infringe on the patent. What’s more interesting here is that Ferrari appears to be looking at pushing the battery pack as far forward as possible. That would let it keep its future electic models as close to the ground as you expect. It would also give EVs a weight balance much more in keeping with its classic front-engine V12 grand touring cars like the 812.
About the battery, Ferrari says that “the battery pack is preferably located in the front part of the vehicle body.” This isn’t a tiny hybrid pack, either. Ferrari calls for 50 kilowatt-hours or more, and for an 800-volt system. The charging module, which converts wall power to battery power, would also be located in the front. Close to the battery pack and between the plug and pack. So Ferrari’s EVs would then charge from the front fender, or at least that’s what the brand wants. A movable version of its fender scudetto aerografato shield, maybe?
Motor Design Promises More Power And High-Heat Durability
As for the motor, the details are much thinner. Ferrari wants to improve the current three-phase electric motor where magnets are arranged in what’s called the Halbach Array. Ferrari says the current configuration is suboptimal and at high speeds can even cause the magnets to lose their magnetic properties.
Instead of that arrangement, where the magnets are arranged in a cylinder, Ferrari wants to add slots in the housing of the motor. The magnets would rest in the slots, along with supplementary coils and magnetic cores. Frankly, the level of tech in this one, especially with machine translation from Italian, is a little confusing even for us. What matters is that Ferrari says that its design will overcome the drawbacks of current arrangements while being more efficient and “performance enhancing.” When it comes to Ferrari, we’ll rest assured that it takes its power outputs seriously and link the patent here.
Ferrari should reveal its first electric vehicle later this year. We’re expecting a new SUV much like the V12 Purosangue but with a battery and motors instead of an engine. Company executives have insisted that the new car will drive and sound as emotional as a gas Ferrari, even if the experience is different.
Patent filings do not guarantee the use of such technology in future vehicles and are often used exclusively as a means of protecting intellectual property. Such a filing cannot be construed as confirmation of production intent.
Source: EUIPO
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