Ferrari models at the Beijing Auto Show that opened on April 23. Photos Provided to China Daily

F12berlinetta is the most powerful and high performance road car in Ferrari history.

While evolved HY-KERS system makes its worldwide premiere

At the Beijing International Auto Show, Ferrari is proud to announce its Asia Pacific premiere of the F12berlinetta, which is the most powerful and high performance road car in Ferrari history.

The event also hosts the world premiere of the evolution of the HY-KERS system, coupling hybrid technology with mid-rear architecture to cut fuel consumption and CO emissions on the combined cycle by 40 percent whilst boosting performance.

Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa makes official presentation and highlighted the growing role China plays in the international market for luxury sports cars.

In 2011, Ferrari delivered 777 cars in Greater China, 500 of which went to the Chinese mainland. This sales record made the region Ferrari's second largest market globally.

Sporting a new V12 engine, the F12berlinetta is built around a high-tech transaxle architecture and features state-of-the-art components and control systems. The F12berlinetta's aerodynamics has also been honed to the extreme in a design that redefines classic Ferrari themes.

The F12berlinetta's wheelbase is shorter and its engine, dashboard and seats are lower in the chassis. A new suspension and gearbox layout helps reduce the car's rear volume. The F12berlinetta has an ideal weight distribution, with 54 percent shifted over the rear axle, as well as a lower center of gravity that is further back in the chassis.

The F12berlinetta has a lap time of 1 minute 23 seconds on Ferrari's Fiorano Circuit test track and is capable of accelerating to 100 kilometers per hour in 3.1 seconds and to 200 kilometers per hour in 8.5 seconds, making it the most powerful high-performance road car in Ferrari history.

The F12berlinetta requires 15 liters of fuel per 100 km and emits 350 grams of CO per km, making it the leader in its segment in terms of fuel efficiency and low emissions.

The other important unveiling at Beijing is the evolution of the HY-KERS project adapted to a mid-rear engine layout. The powertrain on display consists of a 12-cylinder engine and dual-clutch gearbox coupled to an electric motor. A second electric motor is dedicated to the auxiliary systems and is located in front of the V12. The two electric motors are connected to the batteries which can be positioned in the car in line with the available space and final configuration.

The objective of this configuration is to create a sports car that, thanks to the integration with the electric motors, increases power while at the same time reducing emissions. The KERS features newer, smaller and lighter electronic components which come close to achieving the declared target of 1 kW per kg of extra weight added by the hybrid system.

Technological transfer from F1 was fundamental to the design, engineering and construction of an innovative electric motor used to optimise the car's longitudinal and lateral dynamic characteristics, namely torque management, traction control and brake distribution, to the benefit of sportiness and driving pleasure.

The HY-KERS' electric motor delivers power using one of the gearbox's two clutches and is mated to one of the two main shafts. The result is instantaneous, continuous power delivery between the electric motor and petrol engine. During braking, the electric motor acts as a generator, using the kinetic energy from the negative torque to recharge the batteries. This crucial task is managed by a dedicated ECU, also F1-derived, which not only controls the electric motor, but also governs the power to the auxiliary systems (power steering, brake servo, air conditioning, onboard systems).

Work on the system has now reached the end of the experimental phase and the development phase will commence in the coming months.

With the same nominal power output of a normal ICE, the HY-KERS system will enable Ferrari to reduce emissions by 40 percent over the combined cycle.

Other models

The other new arrival at Beijing is the new version of Ferrari California, which is not only 30 kg lighter but is also 30 hp more powerful than its predecessor. Customers seeking a more dynamic driving experience can also opt for the Handling Speciale package, which reduces body roll and speeds up the car's responsiveness to driver inputs.

Alongside the F12berlinetta and the California are the two other recent additions to the Ferrari family: the innovative four-seat, four-wheel-drive FF and the stunning 458 Spider. Ferrari's full-range exhibition is completed by a 458 Italia, which has won numerous awards worldwide since its launch.