As an aspirational brand, Ferrari has quite an appeal among enthusiasts across the globe. Sure, it’s not the easiest of items to own, but certainly, it’s something worth working hard for. What better way to celebrate success than owning a Ferrari.
In the brand’s latest lineup of desirable cars sits the Purosangue. While the idea of Ferrari making an SUV upset a few people, as a business, it’s important that they don’t refrain from capitalizing on an established trend. The Lamborghini Urus did it, as did Bentley Bentayga, Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and Aston Martin DBX.
Ferrari’s plans for a four-wheel-drive-four-door V12 can be questionable during times of climate protests and uncertainty. A fuel-chugging-12-cylinder engine on a high-riding platform is as oxymoronic as an LS-swapped Tesla.
However, if there’s a market for it, then why hold back? Even though Ferrari was a bit late to the party, it didn’t stop them from innovating. The Purosangue is not an SUV in the traditional sense. It’s what Ferrari calls a modern interpretation of a GT.
The Purosangue—Ferrari’s First 'Utility' Vehicle
The Ferrari Purosangue comes equipped with a beastly 6.5-liter V12 engine that pumps out 715 horsepower and spins up to 8,250 rpm. Torque-wise, it features 528 lb-ft, with 80% of it available from as low as 2,100 rpm. The Purosangue (or Pure Blood), or “thoroughbred”—when translated from Italian to English—is a peculiar item in today’s sea of luxe SUVs. While every other luxury carmaker admitted to their offerings being a utilitarian, Ferrari begs to differ. As stubborn as the brand is, Ferrari is super clear on calling the Purosangue simply a four-door four-seater sports car. Although it has the potential to be a supercar on stilts, we’ll stick to calling it the Ferrari SUV, despite how the brand markets the thing.
This is what Ferrari said in its press release, “the Purosangue has a completely different layout and innovative proportions compared to modern GT archetypes (so-called crossovers and SUVs). The average modern GT’s engine is mounted forwards in the car, almost straddling the front axle with the gearbox coupled directly to it; this results in less than optimal weight distribution.”
According to Ferrari, the Purosangue has a mid-front-mounted engine with an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox positioned at the rear to create a sporty transaxle layout. The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) is coupled in front of the engine to provide a unique 4x4 configuration. This delivers exactly the 49:51 weight distribution that Maranello’s engineers deem optimal for a mid-front-engined sports car.
From what we can tell, Ferrari’s PR team has gone to great lengths to not call it an SUV. While the Purosangue is not a utilitarian by traditional standards, it’s still an SUV to the average Joe and Joanne. The first Ferrari SUV.
How Does The Ferrari Purosangue Differ From Other ‘SUVs’?
We’ll go as far as to badge the Purosangue as the most engaging out of all its luxury SUV competitors. Ferrari has done some clever engineering to make this high-riding-not-an-SUV proposition handle like its other stablemates. The Purosangue’s chassis is completely new and was designed from scratch with the aim of improved rigidity. The bodyshell is made from materials ranging from aluminum to carbon fiber, with the introduction of high-strength steel in important areas. Combining this with Ferrari’s unmatched driving calibration, the Purosangue will most certainly live up to its name.
Against its competitors, the Purosangue is no slouch. The rear-hinged suicide doors (possibly a subtle jab at the Cullinan) are employed in the name of better ingress and egress. While they look cool and make entry and exit easy, they aren’t perhaps as regal as the Rolls, shall we say. The interiors, on the other hand, are exactly the sort of stuff you’d expect from a near-$400,000 luxury SUV. Unlike the Cullinan’s cushiony approach, the Ferrari’s cabin is geared towards sporty elegance, which doesn’t necessarily come across as a surprise.
Why The Ferrari Purosangue SUV Is A Necessary Evil
Even though we detest the idea of a Ferrari SUV, it’s what the market wants. Five years ago, Ferrari said it won’t be making a luxury SUV, and here we are with the Purosangue. From a financial standpoint, Ferrari was pretty keen on emphasizing that the brand doesn’t really have to make an SUV. But then, why did Maranello proceed with the Purosangue?
Because Ferrari is now a public company, investor sentiments are something to take into account. Although the brand is financially in a good spot, turning down a possible opportunity to expand isn’t an ideal business decision. Participating in a hotly contested segment could significantly increase revenue, resulting in more cash flow, which keeps the investors happy. Judging by Lamborghini’s success with the Urus, we won’t be surprised if the Purosangue ends up being Ferrari’s best-selling model.
Sources: Ferrari