(1)

---

A Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano hybrid prototype is set to make its world debut at next month's Geneva motor show. The surprise announcement was made by the company's chairman, Luca di Montezemolo as the wraps were pulled from Ferrari's latest Formula 1 racer.

And while hybrid technology might bring super-economical cars such as the Toyota Prius to mind, last season's Ferrari F1 car actually featured a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) power boost function.

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano-based prototype may well use a similar system to KERS. It captures energy under braking and releases it via an electric motor to assist the engine while accelerating.

Because of the electric helping hand, the engine can be made smaller while performance is unaffected. Some unconfirmed reports in the Italian press suggest that the technology will improve fuel consumption by 35 per cent.

While Ferrari's first hybrid prototype is based on a 599 GTB, the company has yet to confirm which model will receive the technology first when it goes on public sale. However the prancing horse has made its commitment to reducing its cars' CO2 emissions through the use of advanced technology quite public.

Further details will be announced at the Geneva motor show.

(1)