A First Take a look at the Ferrari Purosangue SUV

Pigs are airborne, hell is open for snowboarding, and Republicans and Democrats are making out: Ferrari has constructed an SUV. Besides they don’t need you to name it an SUV, which is one other story altogether. Name it denial, or possibly simply strategic positioning amidst a multiverse of swol Aston Martins, Bentleys and Lamborghinis. However throughout an early sneak peek on the Purosangue, Ferrari execs had been hellbent on referring to it as some form of sports activities automobile. Go determine. 

Ferrari does even have a couple of factors backing up their argument. For starters, they didn’t attempt to cram as many seats as potential into the pumped-up hatchback. As a substitute, there are solely two rear bucket seats (even higher, no third-row), and so they mirror the identical form-fitting perches because the fronts. Molto sportivo. The trunk, if you wish to name it that, is a compact 16.7 cubic-foot space that’s extra cubby than cavern, although the rear seats do fold all the way down to open up the space for storing. Moreover, it has no off-road functionality to talk of and there’s no technique to connect a tow hitch to the rear, which implies you’ll by no means see a Purosangue reworked right into a Griswold-style Household Truckster — slightly, Christie Brinkley is likelier to be discovered behind the wheel of this crossover… ahem, sports activities automobile on stilts.

The Ferrari Purosangue’s underpinnings again up its driver-focused disposition, beginning with the powertrain. As a substitute of following the group with a hybrid or full EV, Ferrari leaned in on custom by cramming a large, 6.5-liter V12 into the engine bay. The naturally aspirated engine is a beast of a lump, churning 715 horsepower and 528 lb-ft of torque to all 4 wheels. That is essentially the most highly effective engine Ferrari has ever put right into a GT automobile (and the best horsepower in its class), a superb factor for the reason that Purosangue’s mass suggestions the scales at 4,482 lbs dry (earlier than it’s stuffed with fluids). Although enormous, the V12 is jammed up in opposition to the sting of the engine compartment and the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is on the rear axle to be able to help dealing with steadiness. Whereas heftier than any sports activities automobile, the Purosangue’s weight is on the lighter aspect contemplating its plus-sized footprint (observe these seemingly small wheels are literally 22 and 23 inches in diameter, and also you’ll get a greater sense of scale). Including to its feeling of substance is a trick lively suspension system that makes use of a fancy collection of accelerometers, sensors and actuators to regulate the stiffness and trip top in milliseconds. Although our early interplay with the Purosangue was purely static, we suspect will probably be fairly partaking to drive when it hits the highway. 

Visually, the newest from Ferrari manages to take a difficult format and execute it with movement and curiosity. The entrance finish, although not dissimilar to the 296 GTB, nonetheless exudes its personal id, combining a sharp nostril with sensuous humps over the entrance wheels, a refined “aero bridge” supposed to cut back drag, and a protracted roofline that resolves into muscular rear haunches and the quick overhang of a cleanly sculpted rump. The tail part is a compelling mixture of cleanly curved surfaces, Roma-like taillamps and 4 fats exhaust pipes whose width echoes the satisfying thickness of the 315mm rear tires. However the pièce de résistance are the rear doorways, which open backwards below their very own energy in a large 79° sweep, enabling simpler entry into the again seats. There’s not precisely acreage of rear legroom within the Purosangue, however that’s extra of a reassurance than a legal responsibility given its cussed insistence on being a sporty trip that simply occurs to have rear seats. Inside, there’s a clear, up to date really feel with a symmetrical dashboard that envelopes twin digital screens, and the incorporation of cool trendy supplies like an Alcantara trim that makes use of a ballistic materials for texture. 

Will historical past be form to the Purosangue? As one of many final holdovers within the area, you may hardly blame the Prancing Horse model for dragging their ft, particularly since prolonged waitlists for his or her sports activities automobiles means the stress to increase into this market was likelier within the curiosity of increasing the underside line, not mere survival. Somewhat, the Purosangue could ruffle feathers amongst a number of the extra cussed tifosi, however it’ll additionally fulfill diehard Ferraristi who would slightly be caught lifeless than drive a sexed-up utility automobile from one other producer. When you should ask, a beginning worth of round $400,000 will guarantee its consumers are of essentially the most well-heeled strains.

There are faint historic snail trails the Purosangue can lean on, among the many undeniable fact that previous man Enzo himself loved driving Ferrari 2+2s, and that the carmaker experimented with a 4-door, 4-seat idea with Pininfarina within the Nineteen Eighties. Contemplating it took 75 years to lastly construct a four-door with 4 seats, it’s secure to say the V12-powered Purosangue is one hell of a compelling technique to enter this courageous new world.