Ferrari, new Patent for Side-Exit Exhausts

Ferrari is reportedly working on a new exhaust system, with a patent recently filed with the WIPO. It is the international body responsible for registering and collecting patents worldwide.
The Maranello-based manufacturer has reportedly signed off on a project involving a new type of side-exit exhaust.
Future front-engined models could therefore benefit from this modern reinterpretation of a classic concept.
While not entirely new as an idea, in Ferrari’s case the system has been engineered not only for gas expulsion but also to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and vehicle balance.

Few models in the past had this technical solution

In the past, several models have adopted side-exit exhausts. Positioned either just behind the front wheels or further back near the rear ones.
Cars featuring this setup were typically front-engined, such as the Dodge Viper or the McLaren Mercedes SLR.

This solution primarily aimed to reduce overall weight, thanks to shorter exhaust pipes compared to traditional rear-exit layouts. It also served as a visual statement, giving the car a more aggressive and dynamic side profile.

Now, the prancing horse seems ready to take this concept a step further, reinterpreting it in a modern and technically refined way.

Improved safety for Ferrari’s next generation of front-engined cars

The new design routes exhaust gases around the front wheels and out through openings behind the doors. Something rarely seen on modern road cars.

Ferrari claims this layout solves traditional side-exit issues, such as heat buildup and complex routing, by integrating the system into the car’s structural frame.
This not only reduces weight but also improves crash safety by helping absorb frontal impact energy.
Such a system could be introduced on future front-engined Ferraris, including the upcoming successor to the current V12 12 Cilindri

Chance this engineering Ferrari concept exhaust will never see production

However, it also presents a significant engineering challenge: a rear section free from exhaust pipes could bring aerodynamic benefits or free up space for hybrid components.

Ferrari’s vision remains focused on pushing innovation and experimentation in internal-combustion technology, even as much of the industry moves toward electrification. Including Ferrari’s own upcoming all-electric model.
It’s not yet certain whether this side-exit system will make it to production, but Maranello is clearly committed to advancing development in this direction, ensuring that the brand’s loyal enthusiasts never have to give up the thrill and character of a roaring Ferrari engine.