Is there a more iconic sports car than a blood red Ferrari? Sure, the Corvette is up there, but to me the Ferrari has always been the epitome of "zoom zoom". It's encouraging, therefore, to hear today that over the next decade, the Ferrari brand will become much more environmentally friendly.

While the company stopped short of announcing an all-electric model, such additions as regenerative breaking, advanced turbocharged engines, massive weight reductions and biofuels are all on the table. Plans are in place to reduce the weight of every car over its predecessor by 300kg. Engines will be downsized, and future Ferraris will be able to use E80 bioethanol fuel. Average CO2 emissions across the product line will be reduced from 400g/km to 250.

The regenerative breaking scheme will not go towards charging batteries (as happens with hybrids) but will instead be used to assist in shifting, allowing for smoother gear changes. The overall aerodynamics of the vehicle will also be improved to reduce drag and improve mileage.

These are small, but notable changes nonetheless for a car that might otherwise shy away from even admitting green intentions. One prediction: This is only the beginning. If the Tesla Roadster takes off — and battery technology continues to lose weight and gain power — we'll see Ferrari embrace a clean, green model down the road. My inner-child and retirement cash will be waiting.

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