Ferrari first unveiled the Ferrari 599 GTB at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, and since then rumors have often circulated that Ferrari would one day produce a hybrid version of its exotic sports car.

Adding to the speculation, CNET points out that Ferrari filed for European patents concerning a “4WD system with hybrid propulsion” in June, 2009. By that time, Ferrari had confirmed that it was hard at work developing a hybrid vehicle and hoped to have it ready within a year.

“It has to be the avant-garde in automobile technology. We’re constructing cars with an enormous part of the innovative technology. We’ll present a 599 hybrid in Geneva, which will represent a great path towards the future,” said Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, while speaking at the presentation of the 2010 Formula One Ferrari.

Speaking to GoAuto at the opening of a new Ferrari-Maserati dealership in Sydney, Australia, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa addressed the company’s Geneva-bound 599 hybrid concept, but said a production version of the show car won’t be viable for another five years. “The suppliers are not ready. Everything is underdeveloped. There is a lot of work to so. It is not for tomorrow. We haven’t decided when [it will be introduced]. It will be around that period [2015], but not before five years,” he told GoAuto.

Although a hybrid powertrain would improve fuel economy by about 30 percent, Felisa says Ferrari will instead focus on other fuel-saving technologies such as cylinder deactivation, automatic start-stop and electrically-power auxiliary systems.

While a hybrid version of the 599 isn’t in the immediate future, Felisa did reveal a GTO version is “coming soon”. Unlike typical hybrids, the 599 hybrid will use a hybrid system derived from Ferrari’s F1 racing efforts. Called Kinetic Energy Recovery System, or KERS, the mild hybrid system employs an electric motor near the rear transaxle and a lithium-ion battery pack. The system allows for regenerative braking as well as an auto start-stop system. Thanks to its F1 roots, Ferrari’s road-going KERS system will also give drivers an electric boost at the touch of a button.

The KERS system won’t turn the 599 into a Prius rival, but it promised to improve fuel efficiency by about 30 percent. Although a large improvement percentage-wise, that bump will only improve real world fuel economy from 8.7 mpg to 13.8 mpg.

What to do if your gas pedal sticks

Toyota fan — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:08:29 GMT

Toyota will suspend sales of eight models in the US because of a problem with a sticking gas pedal. The Tuesday announcement follows a Toyota recall list that will affect 2.3 million vehicles.

A Toyota Camry, right, is seen on the floor of the 2010 Washington Auto Show in Washington, Wednesday. Faulty gas pedals have prompted Toyota to suspend US sales of eight of its most popular models including the Camry, America's best-selling car.

Alex Brandon/AP

By Husna Haq Correspondent / January 27, 2010

The timing couldn’t be worse. After reporting its first ever annual loss last year, Toyota announced Tuesday that it will suspend US sales and manufacturing of eight Toyota models to fix faulty gas pedals. The unprecedented move comes days after the unveiling of a Toyota recall list of 2.3 million vehicles.

The decision may have serious consequences for Toyota. It lost $7.1 billion last year, and the Tuesday announcement will hamper its ability to return to profitability through increased sales, as well as potentially dent its reputation as a producer of reliable vehicles.

“It’s a humbling experience for them,” says Jeff Bartlett, Deputy Editor Online for Consumer Reports. “For them to stumble is a bit of a blow to their consumer image and their standing in the industry.”

Toyota said it will halt production of eight models at six North American assembly plants for the week of Feb. 1. The models represented 57 percent of Toyota’s 2009 US sales, according to the Wall Street Journal. They also represent some of America’s best-selling models, including the Camry and Corolla.

Which cars have the problem?

The models that will be recalled or subject to a sales suspension include:

• RAV4 (2009-10 models)

• Corolla (2009-10)

• Camry (2007-10)

• Matrix hatchback (2009-10)

• Avalon large sedan (2005-10)

• Highlander crossover (2010)

• Tundra pickup (2007-10)

• Sequoia large SUV (2008-10)

The suspension is due to problems with gas pedal mechanisms that may cause the accelerator to get stuck, triggering sudden acceleration. The problem has been traced to a US parts supplier. The parts from that manufacturer are used in Toyotas sold in the US and Europe. Toyota is considering a recall of 2 million cars in Europe, as well.

Similar sticking accelerator problems have arisen in the past, driving the car company to recall 4.2 million vehicles in November, and another 2.3 million last week. So far, Toyota has been unable to correct the problem.

How to drive if the gas pedal sticks

Mr. Bartlett offers several recommendations for owners of affected vehicles. First, he says, “The key is to be aware of what to look for. We know that this is a progressive problem, one that gets worse over time, so be mindful if your pedal begins to stick.”

Barlett says Consumer Reports has done extensive testing on how to regain control of vehicles experiencing sudden acceleration. Drivers who experience sudden acceleration should put the transmission into neutral, he says. They should not pump the brakes. “If you put it into neutral, you will retain full steering and full braking capability. This will save your life.”

As Toyota works to fix the problem, it must also address the issue of its image. These setbacks will threaten the carmaker’s reputation for quality and safety. Bartlett says Toyota is handling the problem well.

“They seem to be handling this in a Toyota manner, looking at the long-term,” says Bartlett. Consumer Reports does an annual nationwide survey on brand perception, he adds, and Toyota has always led by a very significant margin.

“They did even better this year,” he says, “just months after the acceleration issues came into light [last August]. For Toyota, that’s a promising indicator that if they’re acting with transparency, earnestness, and swiftness, that they may weather this storm as good as can be expected.”

Toyota Recall Blog

Ferrari to unveil first hybrid in Geneva

Ferrari to unveil first hybrid in Geneva

02/26/2010, 8:57 PM

By Mark Kleis
(syndicated from http://www.leftlanenews.com/)

What to do if your gas pedal sticks

Toyota will suspend sales of eight models in the US because of a problem with a sticking gas pedal. The Tuesday announcement follows a Toyota recall list that will affect 2.3 million vehicles.

Which cars have the problem?

How to drive if the gas pedal sticks

Toyota Recall Blog

Ferrari to unveil first hybrid in Geneva

Ferrari to unveil first hybrid in Geneva

02/26/2010, 8:57 PM

By Mark Kleis (syndicated from http://www.leftlanenews.com/)

What to do if your gas pedal sticks

Toyota will suspend sales of eight models in the US because of a problem with a sticking gas pedal. The Tuesday announcement follows a Toyota recall list that will affect 2.3 million vehicles.

Which cars have the problem?

How to drive if the gas pedal sticks

By Mark Kleis
(syndicated from http://www.leftlanenews.com/)