With Formula One planned to introduce a hybrid-drive system for the 2009 season, Ferrari said it will build the first road car trickle-down of the program, Ferrari President Luca Corero di Montezemolo told the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.

According to Di Montezemolo, the company is modeling a Ferrari sport car powered by a Formula One-style hybrid powertrain.

Ferrari aims to reduce CO2 emission by 40 per cent between now and 2012.

The hybrid system is dubbed KERS and will use a spinning flywheel to regenerate energy during braking.

Di Montezemolo confirms the project car will still have the “fundamental” of a Ferrari with adding solar panels.