Tesla IPO, Whatever. Ferrari to Show its Hybrid.

An improvement in mileage for cash-strapped Ferrari owners

Eric Wesoff January 31, 2010

Eric Wesoff

Editor-at-Large
Greentech Media

Eric Wesoff is Editor-at-Large at Greentech Media. Prior to joining GTM, Eric Wesoff founded Sage Marketing Partners in 2000 to provide sales and marketing-consulting services to venture-capital firms and their portfolio companies in the alternative energy and telecommunications sectors. Mr. Wesoff has become a well-known, respected authority and speaker in these fields.

His expertise covers solar power, fuel cells, biofuels and advanced batteries. His strengths are in market research and analysis, business development and due diligence for investors. He frequently consults for energy startups and Silicon Valley's premier venture capitalists.

Michael Kanellos reported in detail on the Tesla IPO filing within minutes of the announcement on Friday afternoon. He dissects the SEC S-1 document in this article.

But, let's be serious.

The real news in electric vehicles last week was the official unveiling of the hybrid version of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano (as reported by All Cars Electric). The '599' in the model name refers to the 620 horsepower 5.99 liter V-12 engine, now augmented by an electric motor, a lithium-ion battery pack and a flywheel-powered Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS).

The hybrid development was spurred by the cry of cash-strapped Ferrari owners trying to get a few more miles per gallon. And this Ferrari delivers -- with 11.75 miles per gallon, up from the usual 8.7 miles per gallon. The masters of Maranello strike again.

While the Tesla's Lotus Elise-inspired body might raise your heart rate a bit, nothing induces tumescence like the Ferrari.

The new model will make its debut at the March 2010 Geneva Auto Show.