Ferrari to open production line for electrified vehicles

Ferrari's home of Maranello is set to gain another production line, dedicated to the Prancing Horse's electrified vehicles.

As reported by Automotive News Europe, the Maranello plant expansion is enabled by Ferrari securing space near the current factory, with the third production line focusing only on electrified vehicles.

While the information won't be officially confirmed until later this week, the new site is also tipped to become the home of Ferrari's battery research and development centre, not only helping to make its hybrids more efficient but also to potentially work on the marque's first all-electric vehicle – with patents having surfaced for the latter earlier this year.

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The 296 GTB's engine features hybrid integration, with the car able to run for up to 25km on electric power only

Despite the LaFerrari taking the honours of being Ferrari's first mild-hybrid production car in 2013, the SF90 became the brand's first mass-market hybrid in 2019 with its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain combining a 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 with a 7.9kWh battery pack and three electric motors – one mounted to the transmission and one for each front axle.

Ferrari still utilises a PHEV powertrain in the new 296 GTB, as its 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 is paired with a 7.45kWh battery and two electric motors for a total system output of 610kW, while also providing enough power for the car to drive up to 25km on electric power only.

On behalf of Ferrari and other Italian manufacturers such as Lamborghini and Pagani, the Italian government has been lobbying for an exemption around the European Union's proposed internal combustion engine ban by 2035, claiming the marques produced a small enough number of vehicles that produce an insignificant amount of emissions.

Last year Ferrari appointed Benedetto Vigna as its new CEO, with his experience at STMicroelectronics touted to be a catalyst for the manufacturer to not only electrify more of its models but to finally launch its first fully-electric vehicle in the coming years.