Ferrari has long been known for its high-performance, gasoline-powered engines. They are legendary.
But now, the Italian automaker is looking at a future where hydrogen combustion could keep its iconic powertrains alive.
With emissions regulations tightening worldwide, Ferrari has filed a patent for a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine.
According to sources, Ferrari filed the patent for a hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine (ICE) that uses an advanced forced induction system.
The patent seems to detail an unusual approach to hydrogen power
Designs that are now in the public domain show that the proposed engine uses a six-cylinder (I6) layout in an upside-down formation.
While the patent focuses on the I6, Ferrari has also suggested that V6, V8, or even V12 variations could be developed.
The patent shows that the engine is designed to work with either direct or port fuel injection. This, in turn, gives Ferrari flexibility in improving combustion.
Another standout feature on the patent is the forced induction system. The patent shows a twin-charger setup with two compressors and two turbines.
However, unlike normal turbochargers, the compressors and turbines do not seem to be mechanically linked.
Instead, the compressors are joined in parallel by a single electric motor, mounted just above the engine, while the turbines sit below. They’re all connected to a second electric motor via a geared drive.
Ferrari also proposes a different setup where the compressors are mechanically linked to the transmission. This setup is lighter and more compact but less energy efficient since it doesn’t recover energy from the exhaust gases.
Ferrari gets smarter with packaging
Hydrogen’s biggest challenge in performance cars is storage. Compared to petrol and diesel, hydrogen has a lower energy density, meaning it requires much bigger tanks to pull off a practical range. Ferrari’s patent addresses this by cleverly packaging the hydrogen tanks alongside the engine.
The inverted engine layout isn’t just for clever innovation’s sake—it’s to allow space for two hydrogen tanks. This helps with weight distribution. The I6 configuration plays a crucial role here, as it reduces the engine’s diagonal width, making packaging easier in a mid-engine supercar.
Ferrari’s approach is a real step forward for the automotive industry in solving the storage issues that have held back hydrogen combustion in high-performance vehicles.
It’s a clever and nifty solution if anything and only makes sense that the supercar maker would want to patent in its endeavor to explore hydrogen technology.
But this patenting move has now left Ferrari fans wondering how soon they will see a hydrogen-fueled Ferrari on the road.
After all, the choice of hydrogen as a fuel aligns with Ferrari’s plans to keep its iconic ICE technology for as long as possible while still reducing its emissions.
Nothing set in stone for the automaker just yet
But Ferrari has not officially announced plans to bring a hydrogen car to production.
Automakers like Ferrari frequently file theoretical patents to protect future technology. In all probability, this could be part of a long-term strategy rather than an immediate product roadmap.
Besides, its patent isn’t just looking at hydrogen combustion—it’s also looking at hybrid technology. The patent mentions a front-mounted motor generator unit (MGU) that powers the front wheels, which basically is giving the car an all-wheel drive. It’s a setup similar to what Ferrari already uses in the hybrid SF90 Stradale.
Ferrari seems to not have all its eggs in one basket. Mostly because its knows that one of the biggest obstacles for hydrogen is still infrastructure. Hydrogen refueling stations are still rare, even in major automotive markets.
For Ferrari to commit to hydrogen, global refueling networks would need significant expansion.
