4WD for Ferrari ?

TRANSLATION:
"Ferrari is working on a 4WD system. Not a permanent one but a system that only works when it's really neccessary.

First patents are already requested. It can only be used in front engined cars with rear wheel drive . It's not a permanent system, Front wheels are only working together with the rear wheels if the car is losing grip there. The system can only work for about 20 to 30 secs because otherwise the system would get overheated.
Rumours are that the 612 Scaglietti will be the first car equippedwith this new system. Also the 600 or successor of the 575 is a candidat. Furthermore also the Maserati Quattroporte and the successor of the Coupé and Spyder could be equipped with this 4WD."



See also Tina's site (http://www.nansens.dk/) for the following.*
Ferrari Develops 4x4 System **

Ferrari is ready to break with tradition by adding a four-wheel-drive system for future sports cars, according to reports.
The Italian company has filed patent drawings for a part-time 4x4 system, which could be used on front-engined models such as the 612 Scaglietti and the forthcoming V12-powered 600, as well as Maserati's Quattroporte and Coupé. The setup also combines all-wheel drive and a transaxle layout for the first time in a Ferrari.
A patent drawing published by Autocar magazine shows that the new system is very compact and is simpler than rival 4x4 systems based on a rear-drive layout. A constant velocity joint and an oil-bath clutch — the clutch transmits power to the front wheels — are encased on the end of the engine block.
The system will not be an Audi quattro-style, full-time 4x4; instead, it will function like a traction control system, using sensors and computers to transmit drive to the front wheels if the car starts to slide while cornering. In higher gears, the system is limited to 20-to-30-second bursts of 4x4 traction to stop overheating.
What this means to you: Don't worry — it's not a Ferrari SUV, though that might happen as well, according to rumors from Italy. This is a road-safety aid that will enhance Ferrari's legendary handling.

 

the 4wheel drive thing is not new, it has been tried out ages ago with the 408.
s/n 70183
Regards
Jurgen
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You're welcome

Correct...
But of course it stayed very experimental that time...
How many of those proto's were built? Two or more?
Last time I visited the Galleria in Maranello one of them was on display there.

 

Alex,
if I remember correct two were built:
the one shown above, also see: http://www.barchetta.cc/All.Ferraris/by-serial-number/ferrari-by-serial-number/model-index/model-index-by-date-1980/166-mm-s-n-0-30.html
and http://www.conceptcars.it/italia/408integrale.htm
in fact not much is known about these cars.
Regards
Jurgen

 

This could also be development work by Ferrari for Maserati.
I've heard Maserati want a 4 wheel drive system to compete with the Porsche Carrera 4.

 

I think there's a much darker truth behind this. Apparently the design of the new QP-based Coupe and Spyder has been "frozen" because of excessive cost (they don't want Maserati to compete against the Merc SL and Astons anymore, apparently ??? ). The next generation Maseratis will probably use a cheaper modified Alfa Romeo Brera platform and V6 engines . As you know, the Brera platform has a transverse engine and is made primarily for front wheel drive...

I fear that to save costs they'll just bolt a pretty Maserati bodywork on a Brera platform, and stick a 4WD system to avoid the dishonour and horror of having a FWD Maserati.

It's an idiotic policy aimed at making Maserati cheaper while destroying all its heritage and prestige in the process. They were just so close to becoming serious competitors to Aston, Porsche and the likes... and now they'll throw it all away on an Alfa-based mongrel made to compete with the Nissan 350Z and Audi TT.

 

Andrea,

I couldn't agree more! They were slowly climbing out of a deep hole. The new models like the QP and the new Cambiocorsa are a huge step up in development, and thus creating a real threat to AM, Bentley and Porsche.
It will destroy the heritage if they allow cheaper material. Do they want the same thing to happen as with the Biturbo's again?

 

I think this time it might be worse. At least for all its faults the Biturbo was a "genuine" Maserati - with a great in-house designed V6 engine, and of course Maserati platform, suspension, and interior styling. The original Biturbo had many faults because of its limited development, but had a great potential and was vastly improved over the years - the final result shown by the '93-'98 Ghibli, a great GT that finally gave justice to the original concept.

Unfortunately in this case what we may end up with is a mongrel "Alfarati" with a cheap front-wheel-drive platform dressed up to look like a Maserati, and fitted with 4WD to avoid FWD in the same way that Jaguar dressed up the Mondeo to turn it into the X-Type. There will be NOTHING of Maserati's own technology and heritage in this car, it will be just a marketing exercise. The problem is, customers in this price range are more sophisticated than Fiat's marketing gurus think - they can tell if a car is genuine or not, and will never buy this thing. This may spell the end of Maserati's remaining exclusivity and prestige.