A series of patents have been leaked for a four-wheel-drive hybrid system applied for by Ferrari. Ferrari is trying to patent a system that uses the gasoline engine to power one set of wheels and the electric motor to power the other set of wheels. The driver will have a direct control of whether the electric motor comes into play by choosing either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive with the press of a button.

With the deactivation of the electric motor, any increase in fuel economy would be lost, which points to an emphasis on performance over fuel savings; however, we cannot dismiss the possibility of the electric motor motivating the car solo, and thus greatly increasing fuel economy, in low speed city driving.

[via AutoGuide.com]

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