Racing green?

JUST launched in Australia is the California HELE - a supercar with emission figures lower than some new family cars, says Ferrari.

Ferrari California HELE

JUST launched in Australia is the California HELE - a supercar with emission figures lower than some new family cars, says Ferrari.

"DID YOU see Cate Blanchett in that greenie ad? Look, A Streetcar Named Desire was a shocker - not a single burn-out in the whole play - and she was dreadful as Elizabeth. Looked nothing like our Maj. But I'm willing to put her patchy record to one side. Touched a nerve, that advert did, and I got so worried about climate change I decided to do something myself. Something that would make a difference. So I went out and bought a Ferrari.

"It's a statement, I know. A bit, 'Look at me, how bloody green am I?' But this is the biggest moral issue of our time, at least until the next election. So everyone has to do their bit. A Ferrari it was.

"It's not just about me, after all. We need to think about the children. There are toddlers now who will never hear the burble of a V8 or smell the aroma of unleaded. Do we want that sort of world? One where kids are forced to drive electric cars? Or, Gaia forbid, hybrids?

"Happy to say I'm not an overnight convert to the cause. With the cars I own already I've done loads to save the planet. For example, I only buy lightweight Porsches because they use less fuel,  even though those racing seats are damned uncomfortable. Then there's my Bentley, which can run on ethanol (if you can find a bottle in the liquor cabinet) and the Range Rover hardly gets any use at all, unless I'm driving the girls to polo.

"I know what you're thinking, though. They're merely gestures. And you're right. When I saw those poor actors like Michael-what's-his-name and our Cate donating their time, probably sacrificing a shift on the boards, just to persuade others, I knew it was time.

"Now, I don't like Ferraris any more than the next man. Bit lairy. Bit red. And loud enough to scare the horses. Drivers aren't up to much, either. All loafers and no brogues. And, despite their reputation, you can't just drive away in any old Ferrari and assume you're going to save the planet. I'm told they're 100 per cent recyclable into fleecy trousers for the homeless but apparently some of them do chew through a bit of gas en route.

"But then I heard about this one called the California HELE, a brand-new car featuring all the latest Italian technology. Yes, I was put off as well but no gain without pain so down to the showroom for a chat with one of the cheap suits. The salesman did digress a little - green this, global that. Don't know what he's worried about. I actually think the showroom would be improved by water views.

"Eventually we got around to the car and it turns out HELE stands for 'High emotion, low emissions', which is 90 per cent effective in focus groups. Damned clever, too. Ferrari set its team of climate scientists to work on this car and they've come up with something special. Everywhere you look there's a planet-saving device.

"First up, the airconditioning. Standard aircon does what you want. Cools the car, heats the car. But the one in the HELE only goes up to nine. That's a 10 per cent saving. Then I noticed the interior, which was full of carbon fibre. Better in there than in the atmosphere, I thought, even if it does cost a bit more.

"Clever software all over the place as well. Take the gears. If you drive like a wuss the gearbox knows and goes even wussier. It's like a personal green cheer squad in the transmission. Even better, stop at a junction and the whole car just conks out like it's on its own little protest rally. Can't go, won't go! It's called Stop & Start and reminds me of a Jag I used to own. Although the HELE does actually start again. But the best thing is you don't have to bother with it all because you can the turn the system off. Brilliant. I've paid for my guilt upfront, so I'll decide if I use it. It was uncannily like this car
was made for me. Sold!

"Driving it home, I felt a pang of doubt. What if no one noticed I was green? What if everyone thought this was a regular supercar after I'd gone to all this trouble?

"Then I saw the car's reflection in a shop window and was overcome with a warm glow of green pride. Why else would anyone drive something uglier than a hybrid?"

Confessions of a reluctant Ferrari owner, as  told to Philip King, The Australian's motoring editor.