Ferrari may well be preparing an unexpected surprise for its future GT models. According to the specialists at CarBuzz, a new patent filed by Ferrari S.p.A. with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) refers to a road car with a side exhaust outlet, a technical detail rarely seen on a modern car from the Prancing Horse marque.
A nod to the Dodge Viper, perhaps? The patent, dated April 8, 2025 and published on October 16, 2025, shows schematics of a front-engined Ferrari, suggesting a future GT equipped with a V8 or V12. The idea of a V12 screaming through side outlets under the doors could appeal to future customers. The text of the patent specifies that these exhaust ducts, located between the rocker panels and the front wheels, would also have the function of limiting wheel movement during a frontal impact, in addition to evacuating the gases.
Side exits are nothing new in automotive history. Legendary models such as the Chevrolet Corvette C2, the Jaguar XKSS, the Shelby Cobra and, more recently, the Mercedes-AMG G63 have already adopted this configuration. But the solution is not without its drawbacks: high heat near the doors, risk of burns, and damage to the bodywork on some vehicles.
CarBuzz imagines that this architecture could also be used to free up space in the rear for hybrid batteries, a hot topic at Maranello. However, there's no indication that such a system will actually be used on a production model. It could also be a one-off prototype, like the many bespoke models Ferrari designs for its wealthiest customers, such as the recent Ferrari SC40a modern tribute to the F40.
In any case, this discovery opens up a whole new world of possibilities: what if Ferrari's next front-engined GT, perhaps the descendant of the 812, dared to use side exhausts?
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