Formula One is introducing a hybrid-drive system for the 2009 season, but the first road car to benefit from the trickle-down effect may come from Ferrari.

In an interview with German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, Ferrari President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said the company is planning a Ferrari model powered by a Formula One-style hybrid powertrain. Di Montezemolo said Ferrari aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 40 percent between now and 2012.

Governments around the world are bowing to public pressure to reduce greenhouse gases, and more often than not the first sector they look at is the auto industry.

The European Council has proposed a ruling that could see carmaker’s forced to limit their fleet average CO2 levels to 130g/km by as early as 2012, something that could have disastrous effects for niche players like Ferrari.

The supercar company is now working on cutting its vehicles’ greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half and is working on several different strategies including building lighter cars and implementing new hybrid technology.

Speaking with Germany’s Welt am Sonntag, Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo told reporters the carmaker is aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by 40% between now and 2012.

In a further effort to reduce emissions, future Ferraris could also come powered by smaller and more fuel-efficient turbocharged V6 engines.

A company spokesman revealed last week that Ferrari has ruled out nothing in terms of technology as it works to keep high-performance a priority while accommodating strict emissions rules.

Source: motorauthority.com