In 2012, the eminent automotive journalist Jeremy Clarkson stated that the Lamborghini Aventador, which he was reviewing at the time, would be among the last cars to feature a naturally aspirated V12. More than a decade later, V12-powered supercars are alive and kicking, but the beginning of an electric transition is nigh, as legendary supercar makers Ferrari and Lamborghini have announced plans for completely electric-powered cars in the upcoming years.

This may not sound exciting for true petrolheads, and understandably so. However, recent interviews with Lamborghini and Ferrari executives shine a ray of hope for the loyalists of the brands, with both companies stating that their first electric supercars will remain true to their nature, and live up to the companies' heritage. Lamborghini executives claimed that the first electric Lamborghini would be able to perform maneuvers not previously possible and retain true driving emotion.

Now, Ferrari marketing boss Emanuele Carando, while speaking with Drive magazine, shed light on some of the characteristics that we can expect from the legendary company's first electric offering. He notes that the upcoming car, with an expected launch date of late 2025, will be a 'true Ferrari' and boast what he calls an 'authentic' noise - a baffling claim to say the least.

Electric cars by nature are extremely quiet, a stark contrast to the loud and visceral petrol-guzzling engines that have defined supercars for decades. This presents a unique challenge to supercar makers such asFerrari, who have built their legacies on top of these engines. One way that Ferrari might be able to generate an 'authentic' noise, is probably by using meticulously placed speakers to mimic the sound profile of an ICE - but that is hardly authentic.

Perhaps a more feasible way would be to involve the very mechanical design of the car itself. To be more precise, by carefully engineering certain components to produce specific sound frequencies and harmonics, Ferrari might be able to simulate a natural-sounding engine noise - one that might even live up to the 'authentic' claim. This could be achieved in many ways, including altering the design of the electric motors, the cooling system, or even through the incorporation of resonant materials which would allow the amplification of certain frequencies, possibly resulting in a symphony that might as well even feel genuine to the driver.

AsFerrarimoves towards an electric future, the company will have to do a major re-think of what will set them apart for the next decade. With competitors such as Rimac, Aspark, or even Tesla's Roadster, both Ferrari and Lamborghini will have to not only keep up and surpass what any other firm offers, but also do so while maintaining their heritage and putting driving emotion above anything else.