I have the possiblity to order the HELE-system with stop and go for my 458 Italia, July production. Does anybody have any knowledge or experience regarding this system?
I think its a Europe only option that has just been launched so there's no customer experience yet - there are threads describing it in both 458 & California
I have ordered it on my Cali which I am supposed to get in a couple of weeks. It's basically start-stop system and optimization of alternator and other parts to use less fuel and lower the CO2. On the Cali it also increases slightly the torque. It would be good to hear if anyone has used it.
I got the first HELE California in town. It's a cool system to hear the engine shuts off but it is not applicable in my driving conditions. I would've gone without. There was a glitch after 2 weeks indeed. I think it's popular but I wouldn't have gotten it. It's good to try though. However, if I really want anything Green, I'd just go with a PRIUS or a TESLA. S/S isn't something I would want. I have it off all the time now. It drains battery.
Interesting thanks calitalia. Didn't hear before it drained the battery. I will let you know how it feels when i finally get mine.
HELE = High Emotion Low Energy reduces gas mileage by shutting off the engine at lights, if activated. I had it on my BMW 3er in Germany 2 years ago and it worked perfectly but it seems Ferrari may have some work to do on it.
I'm all for helping the environment-within reason- If I were a buyer of a new cali or 458 which I'm not (or if I'm ever a buyer of a used one which would be a more likely scenario), I would pay more for a car without this option. It seems to make a marginal difference, for the way I use my ferrari anyway (i.e. not everyday, not in traffic, etc), would seem to wear out parts like the starter motor faster, and I like to hear my car even at idle. Hopefully the "option" can be turned off if a car is equipped with it! Just my opionion/thought...
Beware. My car was brand new and after 3 weeks the battery was fully drained after a week away from vacation. Dealer said the battery kept draining due to the frequent S/S and I didn't go far enough to recharge it. Possibly the best explanation cos my car S/S 10-15 times within 10 km due to jam and whenever it stops it would stop for a minute and the stereo and air cond and display all drains battery. Hence, if I had to do it again, I would go without. Pointless. Green? go to TSLA.
Good to know thanks. To be honest I am not planning to use start-stop but HELE comes with Start-stop. In a way, me a and few other people saw it as the cheapest way to increase torque and performance (just a little bit it must be said)
Turning OFF and ON the Engine will reduce engine Life especially in the warming up phase, the engine will not be able to warm up properly, especially when you live in the city and have a thousand traffic lights and obstacles before you reach the Highway! I hope that the HELE will be at least offered with an OFF Button to those who want to order it, so that the driver can turn the Stop & Go function OFF during the warm up phase I wonder how long this Green-Hype will last Greetz, Joseph
From this page: http://www.otohybrid.com/2011-ferrari-458-italia-with-hele-system/ "2011 Ferrari 458 Italia using HELE technology to take care of the environment, HELE incorporates a start-stop system which turns off the engine when the car stops, turning it back on when the brake pedal is released. This is reinforced with an intelligent engine fan, fuel pump control, power steering, electronic air-conditioning compressor displacement control and a gear-shift pattern that adjusts to the drivers own style. The supercar now manages with reduced absorption and a system weight lower by more than 2 kgs, thanks to a brushless motor and automatic fan speed control." California HELE system video: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEJ88zauP68[/ame]
Now I have got some more information from my dealer: "High Emotion Low Emission (cod. Modis HELE) The Ferrari 458 Italia may be specified with the Hi Emotion Low Emission pack. The HELE (High Emotion Low Emissions) system reduces CO2 emissions by 21%. This achievement is over an urban-type route that reflects the real way in which our clients would use the car. In the case of the ECE+EUDC combined cycle used for homologation, emissions fall to 275 g/km (-10%) with respect to the basic configuration of 307 g/km and reaches the lowest benchmark value for a naturally-aspirated engine. This outcome is the result of the balance struck between reducing energy demands (vehicle efficiency) and increasing energy generated (engine efficiency), thanks to the use of the Stop&Start system, and the optimisation of certain auxiliary components, such as the motor fans, fuel pump, A/C compressor and DCT gearbox. Below is a short outline of the features of the HELE system with highest impact for the customer. The Ferrari 458 Italia Stop&Start System automatically cuts out the cars engine when it comes to a standstill in traffic and then restarts it when the driver wishes to get going again. The system improves vehicle efficiency in urban driving situations, resulting in lower fuel consumption, and lower polluting and CO2 emissions levels. There is a fuel saving of around 6% in the ECE+EUDC combined cycle used for homologation. However, this figure may rise to 15% in urban driving situations. The most significant advantage of the Ferrari 458 Italias Stop&Start system is that it does not require drivers to change their driving habits in any way whatsoever and still allows them to enjoy all of the cars signature driveability and versatility. The engine, for instance, restarts very rapidly indeed (230 ms compared to 700 ms for a normal restart). This means that the driver doesnt feel any delay in getting underway again and thus can fully enjoy the cars high performance characteristics. A button in the ceiling light panel also allows drivers to activate or deactivate the Stop&Start system. Every time the button is pressed, there is also an alert on the TFT display on the instrumentpanel as to whether the system has been activated or deactivated. The Ferrari 458 Italias occupant comfort is guaranteed even when the engine is off. The system acts intelligently, cutting out and restarting the engine as required, to maintain the desire level of climate control in the cabin. The Infotainment, communications and other onboard systems can still be used when the car engine is off as well as during ignition and cut-out phases. The system logic can also recognise certain conditions that typically arise whilst the car is being driven and thus manage the cut-off and restarting of the engine to ensure comfort, safety and vehicle control. For instance, in stop-and-go driving experienced in traffic jams, the system stops the engine continually cutting out. In fact, the engine will only cut out automatically after restarting in such situations if a certain minimum speed is exceeded (20 km/h) for a specific minimum time (5 seconds). If the car halts on a particularly steep slope too, the engine wont shut down, thus guaranteeing total control at all time. If, on the other hand, the car does come to a standstill on gentler slopes (<15%), the engine will cut out when the Stop&Start system is active and working conditions are normal. When restart occurs, the Hill Holder function will also keep the car from rolling back for around 2 seconds after the brake pedal has been released, thus making the hill start that much easier. The Ferrari 458 Italias Stop&Start system was also designed to meet extra safety, comfort and reliability requirements. The engine wont cut out automatically in certain specific situations even if the Stop&Start system is active. Examples of such situations include: When the engine is still warming up The battery doesnt have enough of a charge The bonnet is open The EPB is engaged Outside temperatures are very low/high The hard top is retracting/0pening. When the LED on the ceiling lightmounted button is on, the Stop&Start system is active. The system retains the status selected by the client even after the engine has been turned off and restarted several times using the ignition key, and until the button is pressed again. In cars readied for the USA and Canada markets, the system reactivates automatically each time the car is started using the ignition key. Every time the car is started, the driver is alerted to the system status is shown on the TFT display on the instrument panel. When activated under normal driving situations, the Stop&Start system will, 7 conditions permitting, automatically cut out the engine when the car comes to a standstill and if the driver releases the accelerator pedal whilst maintaining sufficient pressure on the brake pedal. The engine restarts when the brake pedal is released. It will also restart if the F1 gearshifting paddles are used or when the reverse button on the F1 panel on the tunnel is pressed". I think I will order this for my new 458 Italia, which is going to be built in July.
In prior post re HELE system it says: "The hard top is retracting/0pening." Is this an indication of Spider top configuration, or language from California HELE system that wasn't deleted?
A German magazine (Radical Mag) reviewed the FF with the HELE option. They said it was embarrassing when they stopped at lights because the car shutting off led onlookers, unfamiliar with HELE, to conclude that that the car had broken down or stalled...
If you find it embarassing, you can deactivate the Stop & Start system by pushing a button in the ceiling light panel.
Should be on a discount, judging you'll get a better milage (as if that is a problem when owning and driving a Ferrari).
