October 9, 2025, Ferrari will mark a new era. It was on this date, during Capital Markets Day, that the Maranello-based firm will unveil its very first 100 % electric car. While some enthusiasts are already trembling at the idea of seeing a Ferrari without a combustion engine, the brand could be preparing a coup de théâtre: a fake gearbox... and a fake V8 or V12 sound! Bluff or gimmick? Here's what the latest patents reveal.
An electric Ferrari... that still rumbles
For several months now, prototypes of the electric Ferrari, probably named Elettrica, have been roaming the roads, camouflaged under the guise of a Maserati Levante. But what you see on the outside is nothing compared to what Ferrari is cooking up on the inside.
In recently filed patents, Ferrari reveals an on-board sound reproduction system. The aim is simple: to compensate for the absence of the iconic roar of a combustion engine. Drivers will be able to choose between several sound profiles: historic, modern, futuristic, relaxed or adrenalin-filled, some of which should evoke the brand's legendary V8 or V12 engines. An in-car audio system could therefore play the role of emotional conductor.
A fictitious gearbox, but real sensations?
Ferrari isn't stopping there. As Hyundai did with the Ioniq 5 N, Maranello has patented a "virtual gear shifting" system. In other words, a dummy gearbox integrated into a transmission that technically doesn't need one.
Why this crazy idea? To meet a fundamental need: driver involvement. As CEO Benedetto Vigna himself has said, "Electric systems enable better performance, but reduce driver involvement." Thanks to these simulated gears (manual shifts via paddles or automatic depending on acceleration and braking), Ferrari hopes to recreate the sensations of real sports driving: downshifting before a bend, revving up with a well-felt "kick"...
Virtual gearshift times can range from 200 to 600 milliseconds, faithfully mimicking traditional robotized gearboxes.
An electric that wants to be... emotional
Ferrari knows: electric cars still arouse many fears among its customers. Silence, linearity, lack of character... all points that need to be counterbalanced to preserve the brand's emotional DNA. This is the challenge facing this electric model, which will be produced in Maranello's brand-new 42,500 m² E-Building, alongside electric motors and strategic components.
The design should also surprise: four doors, dimensions similar to those of the Purosangue, but with a lower center of gravity and a pleasure-oriented driving experience thanks to active suspension and rear steering.
A risky gamble... but an ambitious one
Benedetto Vigna repeats: "We're not talking about transition, but addition".. Ferrari is not giving up on its combustion and hybrid models - the new Ferrari F80 hypercar is proof of this - but wants to broaden its range to appeal to a new clientele, without betraying the purists.
It remains to be seen whether this immersive experience will appeal to die-hard fans. Answer on October 9th.
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For me, an electric car gives me more of a buzz than any thermal car I've ever owned (remember my Delta 2liter which I loved a lot though). The supersonic magic carpet effect is much nicer than fighting with a clutch and an engine that screams at 6,000 rpm 😀
@ Hans Di che stupefacenti fai uso scusa? Meglio che ritorni sul mondo reale. Una lavatrice non sarà mai sportiva.