The research department of Autoguide found a patent for an Italian company on a motor with an oval form of cylinders. Documents are placed in the open base of the European Patent Department, but schematic drawings leave more questions than answers. Engines with oval pistons never released in series, although in the 1970s, Honda experimented with technology and even created a prototype of motorcycle V4.
In theory, an unusual form of cylinders will reduce the length of V12, which is critical, if necessary, electrification. The motor with oval pistons will be shorter than the traditional analogue and more effective due to the lower friction about the cylinder wall. However, Ferrari had to develop new connecting rods: they are ideologically similar to Nissan connecting rods in engines with a variable degree of compression.
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Shortened V12 with oval pistons can be used on road and racing cars, and a new concept is better combined with a transmission with an integrated electric motor. The effectiveness of the V12 will also increase: Ferrari can increase the number of valves per cylinder or surface area of each valve. However, issues of balancing and machining of such units remain open.
About 45 years have passed since the creation of the Honda experimental power plant with oval pistons, and the technologies have gone far ahead. It is not yet clear whether Ferrari will be able to bring the revolutionary V12 to the series: a patent can be formalized even in case of unpromising mass use.
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