Ferrari has just revealed a new patent application for a clever system that even Elon Musk himself wanted to use for Tesla cars.
The application filed by Ferrari – if it is accepted – would introduce a totally new way of producing thrust.
In a way, it would make high-performance cars feel even more like jet planes.
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Keeping an eye on car manufacturers filing patent applications is a great way to keep track of what’s going on in the automotive industry.
For example, this is how the world first caught wind of the rumors about the Apple car, before the project was reportedly canceled.
It is also how we know that the next Lambo might be called ‘Temerario‘.
Mind you, the new Ferrari system is probably bigger news than that.
According to the application, Ferrari seems to be looking into gas thrusters, which is something Elon Musk mentioned on a couple of occasions, although he has never done anything about it – well, anything that we know of.
Interestingly, Ferrari’s patent, which was first uncovered by The Drive, was actually filed in late 2019, even though it was only published a few days ago.
So how exactly does a gas thruster work?
In theory, it would work using compressed air, which is then released and generates thrust.
Ironically, that is actually (vaguely) how a hydrogen fuel cell car works.
According to Ferrari’s patent, gas could be stored at a pressure between 700 and 900 bar, and it would be released into a tiny aperture, which then becomes increasingly larger to maximize thrust.
There are two more things to bear in mind.
First, gas thrusters would ‘only’ add 40-45 kg more to the car, and second, it would help downforce, not just speed.
It could be an exciting development, if it ever comes to fruition.
Ferrari is certainly keeping busy.
After the long-awaited SUV and new hybrid supercars, the Italian marque is finally getting ready to unveil its first-ever EV.
However, in the next few months, we also expect news about potential ways to use gas thrusters.
The lead image for this story was generated using AI
