The latest patent from Ferrari shows that they have come up with a new cabin layout that allows the driver to choose any seating position they want. The most practical example is when traveling through different countries and continents, the driver can switch seats, steering wheel, or pedals to be more suitable. In theory, this means you can take your Ferrari from Vietnam to Thailand and simply rearrange the parts in the cabin.
What’s more, in some cases when racers are training on the track, the coach can sit in the passenger seat and control the pedals, while the racer focuses on steering. Or when there is no coach, the racer can adjust the seat configuration to the center of the cabin for the best feeling.
In order to achieve this, Ferrari will of course have to convert the vehicle’s operating mechanisms to wire-based systems, such as steer-by-wire like the Tesla Cybertruck or brake-by-wire, and even clutch-by-wire.
Ferrari’s patent also reveals that the mentioned system is compatible with both manual transmissions, but the shift operation is still a mystery.
Ferrari explains how they are able to move the internal components of the vehicle using “at least one gear” and a “gear attachment” with a hinge. When the steering wheel and gearbox move along with the seat, these two parts will still be physically connected to the wire-controlled unit. Of course, one day, engineers will come up with a wireless connection solution to minimize the most mechanical details possible.
Recently, the “Prancing Horse” brand has filed multiple patents for unique technologies, including adjustable seats with unlimited adjustability, a body that moves with the suspension for the quickest stability during oscillation, driver assistance devices, and an automated adjustable cockpit similar to the above. There are even patents for the ability to control the vehicle through a controller instead of a traditional steering wheel and pedals like commercial vehicles.
Looking at the number of patents above, it is not excluded that the Maranello-based manufacturer is changing the way conventional cars operate. Or these will all be technologies applied to racer training on both the race track and the road. Perhaps Ferrari’s engineers are creating a “racing mode” that can transform the Ferrari 296 race car into a more upscale model, the 499P, with just a flip of a switch.
