Ferrari’s gasoline engines aren’t going anywhere, including the V-12

Ferrari is preparing its first electric car. The so-called Electtrica is scheduled for release late next year, heralding a new era for the iconic automaker, but it will 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 compliance with emissions regulations while “focusing on increasing specific power and ensuring compatibility with alternative fuels.”

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

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

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

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

Although Ferrari says around 20 percent of its range will be electric, that will likely only apply to one model. Vigna earlier this year denied rumors that there was “no demand” for a second electric Ferrari, saying such a car doesn’t even exist. The automaker hasn’t discussed anything other than the Electtrica.

Photo by: Ferrari

The market for high-end, powerful and expensive electric vehicles has not yet materialized, with custom carmakers delaying investments due to low demand. Ferrari’s first EV is a risk, but the company is doing everything it can to make it something very special and unique.

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