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Ferrari going with turbo V8s, hybrid V12s

More for less – that's what automakers are striving for: more output with less fuel. For some that means downsizing and employing turbochargers. For others, it means going hybrid. With its latest models, Ferrari has embraced both – or rather, either – but don't expect its twelve-cylinder engines to get a set of snails, or its V8s to get an electric assist. The latest intel paints a picture of Ferrari going two different routes. As it is, the company offers (much like it has for the past several decades) both V8 and V12 supercars, and it's bringing both types into the modern era, but in different ways. As demonstrated with the California T and 488 GTB, Maranello's eight-cylinder models will shrink in capacity but add turbochargers to increase their output while decreasing their fuel consumption. Meanwhile the engine in the LaFerrari showcases the direction in which its twelve-cylinder models will go: hybrid V12 powertrains. "There will be no turbos on our V12s," an unnamed source reportedly told Autocar. "Expect instead to see 48-volt systems on the next generation." With the eight-cylinder models already having adopted their turbochargers, that means we can expect the replacements for the FF all-wheel-drive shooting brake and F12 Berlinetta two-seater to go hybrid in their next iteration. We'd expect the former to arrive first, with the hybrid F12 to arrive sometime thereafter. The company first toyed with the prospect of a hybrid twelve with the 599 HY-KERS concept showcased at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The first production application for the hybrid system was on LaFerrari, but of course the Scuderia developed a much smaller 1.6-liter V6 that's both turbocharged and electric-assisted for Formula One. Related Video:

Ferrari replacing fuel tanks on limited number of LaFerraris

Ferrari is working to repair an issue with its flagship LaFerrari hypercar, but the automaker claims the problem is not as drastic as some widely-circulated rumors would have you believe. In response to our inquiry into the matter, a Ferrari spokesperson told Autoblog that "no recall has been issued regarding the LaFerrari." Instead, the company tells us that "some clients have been invited to take their cars to an authorized service center to substitute the fuel tank with a new one with new paint." The issue seems to revolve around "a possible incorrect adhesion of a layer of paint on the fuel tank," which could result in a fire. Contrary to rumors that suggested the issue would affect every example of the seven-figure supercar built to date and would take several weeks to repair, we're told that "the time to change the fuel tank is relatively short and the intervention concerns only a limited number of LaFerraris." That "relatively short" time period, we're told, "takes approximately one day," and "all of the cars have already been serviced in the US." As to whether this constitutes a recall or simply a suggested service as Ferrari claims, however, is a matter that's open to interpretation. Related Video:

Fernando Alonso gives German TV interview driving Ferrari F12 at the Nordschleife

Fernando Alonso gave a wide-ranging interview to German television station RTL, the Spanish driver and German interviewer conducting the session in Italian, driving a special Italian car on very special German track. Among many answers - from the industriousness of his native Ovideo, Spain to where he relaxes - Alonso gives Ferrari an eight out of ten for the season, admitting they don't have the fastest car but they have a complete car, and refuses to give himself a number, only saying that he is more complete as well than when he first entered.
Beyond the normal-guy persona and wealth of topics, the 10-minute interview is neat for being able to watch Alonso hurl the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta over and around kerbs while he's answering questions. You can check it all out in the video below.