Ferrari to develop diesel for Maserati

conaero

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34,671
Maserati's first diesel engine will have impressive pedigree – it will be developed by Ferrari.

Maserati-V6-3.0-Diesel.jpg

Ferrari is developing the upcoming diesel engine for Maserati at its Maranello headquarters.

“The new engines ... have been co-developed between the Ferrari and Maserati teams,†said Maserati CEO Harald Wester. “Both have been produced in Maranello.â€

Wester said things such as direct injection and turbocharging were relevant to both diesel and petrol engines, meaning Ferrari was perfectly positioned to lead the development of the brand's first diesel engine.

“Despite the principal differences in combustion between diesel and petrol many of the technologies ... are very similar,†he said.

The new diesel engine is expected to use about 6.0 litres per 100km in the upcoming Ghibli sedan, which will be one of the drivers of Maserati's growth as the brand looks to substantially grow its sales.

It is also expected to get a fake engine sound to make it sound more appealing.

It will also be fitted to the upcoming Levante and could be used in the Quattroporte large sedan.

But don't expect to see a diesel engine in a Ferrari; the brand has previously said it is not interested in diesel engines, instead preferring the high revving V8s and V12s.

Ferrari is also working on hybrid technology, with the upcoming La Ferrari supercar set to be the first petrol-electric application for the brand.

However Wester said he doesn't see hybrids as a solution for Maserati.

“I don't see significant business [for a hybrid Maserati,†he said, adding that increasingly strict fuel economy targets in places like California may force the introduction of a hybrid.

“We might be forced for legal reasons to go to this technology. This would be the only reason we want to go there, because of legal restrictions.â€

Wester said Maserati would “look to synergies within the [Fiat-Chrysler] group†if it was decided a hybrid would fit with the brand.

He also took a swipe at electric vehicles, saying they did not bring the big environmental benefits they were perceived to.

“All the discussions about the electric cars, zero CO2 (emissions), it's nonsense. It's far away from reality, we all know this,†he said.

He joins a chorus of industry experts questioning the viability of electric cars, which are expensive and have failed to live up to early sales estimates.

Audi, along with others, believe plug-in hybrids - which can be recharged and driven purely on electricity but have a regular engine for longer trips - are a more viable short term solution to pure electric vehicles.

“We have to be more correct in considering the real CO2 balance. Pure electric cars, in terms of CO2, are not the answer.

“What nobody talks about is the energy mix behind the production of electricity.â€

He pointed to figures that show the production of electricity for use in an electric car often produces more CO2 than burning fuel.

Wester said in Europe the average CO2 emissions to produce the electricity for an electric car amounted to 86 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre travelled, which is only slightly below some of the better performing hybrid and diesel cars.

In other countries they were worse; the United States was calculated at 110g/km and China 191g/km.

SOURCE: http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-shows/ferrari-to-develop-diesel-for-maserati-20130422-2i9nf.html
 

Andyk

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61,353
I understand that its a must these days but still doesn't sit right with me....
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,907
Boots or David Bailey can develop my photos...does not change the fact that the photos will be cr@p and feature out of focus images with heads cut off!
 

cobratwin

New Member
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1,822
.... please the only real difference between a derv and a petrol is the fuel and compression.

i will wait till i see, hear and drive a derv Maserati before passing judgement .
 

EnzoMC

Member
Messages
1,999
i know in this day you need to look at the miles per gallon but why do most of us have these car, the smile and the sound of that high reving engine - with the new exhaust SM are doing it just add to this sound - so why do it, I agree with Andy but maybe I'm missing somthing, besides isn't diesel worst for us humans ?

an option if looking at the mpg - the Audi A8 runs on air almost (Clarksons drive from Scotland :conf: )
 

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,278
I think Maserati are a bit late to the diesel party, they'll only sell for company car owners in an attempt to appease the accountant with low consumption and no doubt good residuals. The future is electric vehicles, of some description. Tesla are doing a good job with their Model S, 300miles on a 'tank' isn't to be stiffed at. Remember where Karl Benz was 120 years ago when he was developing the petrol engine and his cars range.
I've driven a Nissan Leaf and apart from the crappy Nissan chassis and quirky electrics inside, the drive in terms of power delivery was very good. Once 'super-charging' sites that all manufacturers can use (i.e common connectors/ charging rates etc) have been built and are widespread then the battery-electric will go far.
Fuel cell technology is eventually surpass battery-electric and petrol/diesel-electric.
And once the terrorist threats have been wiped out micro-nuclear reactors will get my approval, no need to refuel for 40 years!