Ferrari is hard at work trying to refine the turbocharging process so that future products will use the high-horsepower, low emissions (and low weight) technology. According to a report in the U.K.’s AutoCar, Ferrari engine developer Jean-Jacques His says the development is well under weigh, but the biggest issue facing the project is turbo lag.

Conventionally, turbos take time to spool up to full power, but that doesn’t suit the Ferrari way of doing things. Instead, Ferrari has traditionally opted for naturally aspirated (non turbocharged or supercharged) engines that deliver better throttle response and a more linear deliver of power. His told AutoCar that a delay of any sort in the power delivery was simply unacceptable.

A few years ago Porsche introduced variable turbine geometry (VTG) turbos that helped reduce turbo lag significantly, but apparently even that impressive technology is not enough for Ferrari. The company has also discounted using Fiat’s Multiair setup, as it doesn’t work as efficiently at higher rpm and with larger engines.

Ferrari has used turbos sparingly across its model range over the years, including most recently in the F40 supercar (pictured above), which was last made in 1992.

Another bit of info gleaned from the interview is that Ferrari’s new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which debuted in the California, is suitable for V12 engines, meaning that were likely to see this new technology arrive in the successor to the 612 Scaglietti and other future V12 models.

[Source: AutoCar]

Ferrari has confirmed that a hybrid model is in the works and that a concept car will debut as early as the LA Auto Show this December. The news comes directly from Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa just weeks after a patent application for a hybrid system by Ferrari was uncovered.

At almost the same time that patent application was discovered, a second one relating to a turbocharged powerplant was also found. Felisa also confirmed that turbochargers are a potential avenue that the Italian exotic car maker is looking into. He did, however, say that a turbocharged Ferrari engine would still provide the high-revving feel that is so much a part of a Ferrari engine.

These two green alternatives (as well as one other) are being looked at by Ferrari in order to meet stringent European emissions regulations set to take effect in 2014. The final alternative is a bio-fuel or flex-fuel engine – like the one the company debuted at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit (pictured above).

Whatever route Ferrari takes, it is expected that the new model or models will be in addition to the current lineup, in order to reduce emissions across the fleet while retaining the Ferrari performance focus.

[Source: Car & Driver]