Ferrari has revealed the Purosangue, the brand's first nod toward the popularity of SUVs.
The Purosangue, or "thoroughbred" in Italian, is a crossover with a low center of gravity than an SUV. It looks more like a taller variation of the GTC4 Lusso hatchback, despite having practical elements such as four doors (a first for a mass-produced Ferrari), 2+2 seating, and ground clearance that isn't too low.
These metrics matter even among consumers of premium brands like Aston Martin, Lamborghini, and Porsche, where high-riding variants outsell sports vehicles by a factor of ten. And the same will most likely be true for Ferrari and its Purosangue when it reaches the United States in the third quarter of 2023.
The Purosangue is built on a new front mid-engine platform Ferrari developed specifically for grand touring models. This platform enhances the capabilities of the new mid-engine architecture that debuted in the SF90 Stradale. It features a rear-mounted transmission to help achieve a nearly ideal 49:51 weight distribution.
Ferrari's all-wheel drive system, known as 4RM, relies on a 2-speed transmission in front of the engine. This allows power to be sent directly to the front wheels, using a set of clutches that can vary torque between the front wheels. A normal torque tube at the other end of the engine directs power to the rear-mounted transmission, an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The V-12 engine is a recent design. It produces a peak 715 hp and 528 lb-ft of torque, or enough for 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.3 seconds and a top speed of over 192 mph. Those statistics are remarkable given the Purosangue's weight of 4,480 lb--dry. The engine's ability to produce 80% of peak torque at 2,100 rpm is impressive.
Ferrari could have made the Pusrosangue heavier, but instead, they used high-strength aluminum alloys in the spaceframe chassis to reduce weight while maintaining rigidity. They also employed carbon fiber for some body panels, including the roof, to help with weight reduction. However, customers have the choice of swapping out the electrochromic glass roof for a carbon one.
Adopting a design used in the Roma coupe, the body's styling is handsome. However, what makes this new model unique are its four doors--two of which are rear-hinge like those on the Mazda RX-8 sports car.
This car has four seats, but the back two are smaller than you might find in a regular SUV. The trunk can hold 16.7 cubic feet of stuff, but if you need more space, the rear seats also lay flat, so they're level with the trunk floor. The control panel looks similar to the SF90 Stradale, including dual cowls over each front seat area and a 10.2-inch touchscreen display for the passenger on the right side.
The Purosangue contains many more luxury items than the average Ferrari, where performance is typically the primary concern. In addition to a premium Burmester audio system, massaging seats, cabin air filtration, and carbon-fiber trim with copper weaving are some of the extras that come standard in this SUV.
Since most customers use their mobile phones for navigation nowadays, no built-in navigation system is included. Instead, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration allows drivers to have GPS on their phones while driving.
U.S. pricing has yet to be announced, but Ferrari's home market of Italy will start at 390,000 euros (approximately $391,000). To help maintain its luxurious image and reputation for being exclusive, Ferrari plans to limit production to around 3,000 units annually, which is only 20% of the automaker's total 15,000-unit capacity. Consequently, seeking out and purchasing one of these limited-edition vehicles will likely be next to impossible.
