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Ferrari has unveiled the production-ready chassis and key components for its first fully electric vehicle, the Ferrari Elettrica. This launch represents a major milestone in the brand’s multi-energy strategy, showcasing a new vehicle developed and manufactured entirely in-house to deliver the unparalleled performance and driving pleasure synonymous with the Ferrari name.
Key Highlights
- The Ferrari Elettrica is the brand’s first all-electric model, with all main components developed and manufactured in-house.
- The chassis and bodyshell are made with 75% recycled aluminum, saving 6.7 tons of CO2 for every vehicle built.
- The powertrain delivers over 1000 cv in boost mode, achieves 0-100 km/h in 2.5 seconds, and has a top speed of 310 km/h.
- An integrated battery design lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity by 80 mm compared to an equivalent internal combustion engine model.
- The vehicle features over 60 patented technological solutions, including Ferrari’s first-ever elasticized mechanical subframe to enhance driving dynamics and comfort.
A New Era of Electrification
The Ferrari Elettrica is the result of extensive research into electrification, built upon knowledge gained from hybrid solutions dating back to Formula 1 in 2009. The project was initiated with a clear strategy: to introduce an electric model only when technology could guarantee the superlative performance and authentic driving experience expected of the brand. This vehicle combines state-of-the-art technology with Ferrari’s artisanal traditions, ensuring a unique and peerless final product. The project is now ready for production, leveraging numerous proprietary technologies.
Chassis and Architecture
The Elettrica’s chassis features a short wheelbase and an advanced driving position close to the front axle, inspired by mid-rear-engined berlinetta models. A key innovation is the use of front shock towers that directly absorb energy during an impact, enhancing safety.
The battery is fully integrated into the floorpan, a design choice that minimizes weight and lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity. This integration also provides structural protection for the battery pack in the event of a side-on impact.
At the rear, Ferrari has introduced its first elasticised mechanical subframe. This groundbreaking component is designed to reduce noise and vibration in the cabin while maintaining the stiffness required for Ferrari’s signature handling. The design provides the same stiffness as a rigid subframe under lateral loads but offers the compliance needed for superior ride comfort.
Active Suspension
The vehicle is equipped with a third-generation 48 V active suspension system, an evolution of the technology first seen on the Purosangue. The electric powertrain’s lower center of gravity allows for a new balance between handling and comfort, providing greater driving precision and a smoother ride. The system’s shock absorbers have been redesigned to be lighter and more efficient, ensuring consistent performance across different temperatures.
E-Axles and Powertrain
The Ferrari Elettrica features two independent electric axles developed and built by Ferrari. Each axle has a pair of synchronous permanent magnet engines that enable torque vectoring for improved dynamic behavior.
- The front axle produces 210 kW and can deliver up to 3,500 Nm of torque to the wheels. It includes a disconnect system that can decouple the engines at any speed, allowing the car to operate in pure rear-wheel drive to maximize efficiency.
- The rear axle is the primary power source, with a maximum output of 620 kW and a staggering 8,000 Nm of torque transferable to the road in Performance Launch mode.
The entire system is designed for total control, exceptional power density, and extreme electrical efficiency.
Electric Engines
The permanent magnet synchronous engines are a showcase of Ferrari’s motorsport heritage, pushed to the limits of current technology. The engines achieve high rotational speeds—30,000 rpm at the front and 25,500 rpm at the rear—allowing them to deliver peak power from a compact design. The rotors use a motorsports-derived Halbach array configuration to maximize torque density. To withstand the immense centrifugal forces at high speeds, thin carbon sleeves are press-fit onto the rotors, a process previously reserved for prototype production.
Advanced Battery Technology
The battery was designed, assembled, and fully integrated into the chassis in-house. Its layout is optimized to lower the center of gravity and achieve an ideal weight distribution of 47% front and 53% rear. The design shifts some protective functions to the car’s body, allowing the battery itself to be a lighter, more integrated structural element.
This approach results in an energy density of almost 195 Wh/kg and a power density of approximately 1.3 kW/kg, which are best-in-class figures. The battery operates at a nominal voltage of approximately 800 V and is protected by a main fuse capable of cutting current in just 3 milliseconds in the event of a short circuit.
Inverters and Control Systems
The inverters are another example of Ferrari’s engineering prowess, combining extreme performance with compact dimensions. They transform the battery’s DC energy into AC current for the electric engines and manage the energy from regenerative braking. A key innovation is a strategy called “toggling,” which switches the rear inverter between on and standby states to improve overall efficiency, adding approximately 10 km of range in highway conditions without compromising performance.
Authentic Ferrari Sound
Instead of artificially replicating an internal combustion engine’s sound, Ferrari has chosen to highlight the unique characteristics of the electric drivetrain. The sound is not digitally generated. A high-precision sensor on the rear axle captures the mechanical vibrations of the powertrain components. These frequencies are then amplified to provide the driver with authentic aural feedback that reflects the dynamic driving experience. The sound activates only when functionally useful, such as during acceleration, to create a direct connection between the driver and the car.
Driving Experience and Control
To deliver the sensation of constantly surging acceleration that is a hallmark of Ferrari, the Elettrica uses Torque Shift Engagement. This strategy allows the driver to select one of five progressively stronger levels of power and torque via the right-hand shift paddle.
The steering wheel features two controllers:
- The Manettino on the right selects vehicle dynamic settings, including a new Dry mode for daily driving.
- The eManettino on the left controls the energy architecture, with three available configurations: Range, Tour, and Performance.
Specially Developed Tires
Ferrari collaborated with three suppliers to create five dedicated tire options for the Elettrica. The primary challenge was to drastically reduce rolling resistance without compromising handling. The result is a 15% decrease in rolling resistance with no impact on grip or safety. The options include three for dry use, one winter variant, and one with run-flat technology.
Technical Specifications
| PERFORMANCE | |
| 0-100 km/h | 2.5 s |
| Top speed | 310 km/h |
| Power | >1000 cv in boost mode |
| Range | >530 km |
| DIMENSIONS & WEIGHT | |
| Wheelbase | 2960 mm |
| Weight | circa 2300 kg |
| Weight distribution | 47% front / 53% rear |
| FRONT E-AXLE | |
| Power at the axle | 210 kW |
| Torque at the wheels | 3500 Nm |
| Power density | 3.23 kW/kg (93% efficiency) |
| REAR E-AXLE | |
| Power at the axle | 620 kW |
| Torque at the wheels | 8000 Nm |
| Power density | 4.80 kW/kg (93% efficiency) |
| BATTERY | |
| Gross capacity | 122 kWh |
| Total power density | 195 Wh/kg |
| Maximum recharge power | 350 kW |
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