On the color wheel, green is directly opposite red, the unofficial official color of Ferrari. That’s fitting, since, on the rare occasions that they’re fired up, the Italian supercar maker’s big engines aren’t the most fuel efficient. But among Ferrari’s latest creations is the stunning 599GTB HY-KERS hybrid concept, introduced at this year’s Geneva auto show. Yes, a Ferrari hybrid, displayed at the show in a brash satin-green hue that even a tree frog might have a tough time pulling off.
However patronizing the color choice, the 599GTB hybrid’s greenness is more than skin-deep. A 100-hp electric motor mounted to the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission helps reduce CO2 emissions and increase fuel efficiency (although it’s unclear by how much). Ferrari says the motor will drop the car’s 0-to-124-mph time from 7.9 to 7.5 seconds, but considering we tested a 599GTB to 120 mph in 9.5 seconds, we're not sure where those figures come from. Whatever the true numbers, it should be quicker.
Furthermore, Ferrari is using the extra juice to smooth out the engine’s torque curve and the brake-regeneration system to shorten stopping distances. This is the kind of hybrid we’d like to see more of, and thanks to emissions standards worldwide, we will.