Ferrari’s Gas Engines Aren’t Going Anywhere—Including the V-12

Ferrari is readying its first electric vehicle. The so-called Electtrica is scheduled to arrive late next year, signifying a new era for the iconic automaker, but it’ll be one of more than a dozen cars Ferrari plans to launch between 2026 and 2030.   

Those models will have to get their power from somewhere, which is why Ferrari will continue to invest in its V-6, V-8, and V-12 combustion engines. The automaker will ensure they meet emissions regulations while “focusing on increasing specific power output and ensuring compatibility with alternative fuels.”   

Automakers have begun exploring operating combustion engines on new types of fuels that meet emissions regulations while preserving the hardware. Last year, Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna said that he doesn’t believe the combustion engine will ever entirely disappear from the luxury market.   

Despite continuing to invest in combustion engines, Ferrari said it believes it’ll need 60 percent of its lineup to be electrified by 2030—about 40 percent hybrid and 20 percent electric—to meet the market’s “expected evolution.” Pure combustion power could be a minority by the new decade in Ferrari’s portfolio.  

Photo by: Ferrari

It also sounds like Ferrari’s future models will continue to bring back buttons. The automaker said it is introducing a “new-generation Human Interface that adopts a phygital approach, combining digital and analogue elements.” 

We might have seen the first hints of this new packaging in July, when the Amalfi debuted with a redesigned steering wheel that featured physical buttons. Owners had complained that the capacitive-touch controls were more frustrating than innovative—and automakers are finally taking notice.   

While Ferrari says about 20 percent of its lineup will be electric, that’ll likely account for just one model. Vigna shut down rumors earlier this year that there was “zero demand” for a second electric Ferrari, saying that such a car doesn’t even exist. The automaker hasn’t discussed anything beyond the Electtrica.

Photo by: Ferrari

The market for high-end, high-performance, and expensive electric vehicles hasn’t materialized, with bespoke automakers putting off investments due to low demand. Ferrari’s first EV is a risk, but the company is doing all it can to make it something truly special and unique.   

We’ll have to see how it stands out when it arrives next year. If it’s a dud, Ferrari will have the V-12 to fall back on.   

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