Not too many imagined Ferrari would do an SUV, including Ferrari's former Chairman, Luca di Montezemolo. But with the world heading towards the SUV market, Ferrari making one became an instant possibility, considering Lamborghini did it with the Urus.
After years of Ferrari's SUV being in the news, found camouflaged and screaming down a road, it's finally out of the shadows - and if we're to be honest - it's not disappointing. It's the Italian marque's first-ever, four-door, four-seater model in the 75 years of the company's existence.
With the Purosangue, Ferrari has made the boldest move ever - and we're not too sure if its founding father, Enzo Ferrari would've wanted this to happen, but he'd be darn proud of the fact it has a V12 under the hood.
Why The Ferrari Purosangue Is The Best Super-SUV For Gearheads
The engine has to be the first reason gearheads buy the Purosangue. A 6.5-liter, 12-cylinder engine, shaped in a 'V', that too in an SUV in today's day and age almost sounds unrealistic, but they've done it.
No turbochargers and no hybrid technology. This is a naturally-aspirated engine with supercar-beating performance. The unit produces 715hp and 528 lb-ft of torque, sending its power to all four wheels through an 8-speed F1 DCT gearbox. The throttle response, Ferrari claims, is to be exactly that of a sports car.
The cylinder heads have been derived from the 812 Competizione, and the powertrain borrows concepts from Formula 1. This is by far, the most powerful, nerve-wracking engine ever made by Ferrari for a four-seater, also making it the most powerful in its segment.
The second reason gearheads would buy a Purosangue, is the sound from the engine and the exhausts. The engine (codenamed: F140IA) is responsible for the music it produces, and Ferrari claims it isn't loud inside.
A pair of progressive silencers ensure the SUV is quiet while driving through a town. The soundtrack is typically that of a Ferrari, and it sounds better than any music concert, particularly when the SUV is being redlined.
The third reason gearheads would buy a Purosangue over other rivaling SUVs, is the dynamics that we expect of a true-blue Ferrari. Ferrari hasn't forgotten the importance of usability and comfort, because the Purosangue must find itself at the top of the sales charts.
But it was equally important to retain Ferrari's signature dynamics and performance - and to ensure that, comes a world-first: Ferrari active suspension technology enabled by Multimatic's True Active Spool Valve System.
This new suspension architecture offers multiple benefits by combining electric motor actuation with a high-precision spool valve hydraulic damper into one whole integrated system.
The electric motor ensures that the body and wheels can be controlled actively with more force, and at higher frequencies than regular adaptive or semi-active systems.
The fully active suspension system makes the most of maximum cornering performance, because of the variable and continual distribution of roll stiffness and the actively lowered roll center; this helps strike a perfect balance between over and understeer.
Comfort Is A Priority With The Ferrari Purosangue
Inside the Purosangue, you see nothing but the best design and craftsmanship. It's the right mix of sportiness and elegance, and the moment the suicide doors open up, ample room is revealed. The feeling of a GT is evident inside. However, it's a strict four-seater.
The driver's cockpit is inspired by the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, and the front passenger gets to be a part of the experience with a 10.2-inch display that gives you all the information needed. The digital interface is exactly the same as the one on all other Ferrari models.
The wraparound shapes come together, towards the center, embracing the passengers. Comfort-related controls are positioned on a hideaway rotary interface in the center of the dashboard, and the best part is, passengers, sitting in the back, have access to the same functions through a secondary rotary interface.
The colors and materials are all typically Italian. The Purosangue also features one of the most powerful Burmester audio systems offered in a Ferrari. Another first for Ferrari is having four separate and independently adjustable seats.
Also, the heated backseats can be adjusted and reclined independently. The fabric roof-lining is recycled polyester, the carpet is made from polyamide, recycled from fishing nets taken out from the oceans, and of course, newly formulated Alcantara, again, derived from recycled polyester.
Customers have the choice of getting their Ferrari SUV's flooring specified with a high-strength fabric used for military uniforms, because of the material's durability.
Ferrari Purosangue Looks Gorgeous
We can easily claim that the Purosangue is the most gorgeous SUV out there. It is sculpted and curved in the right places, making it the Marilyn Monroe of SUVs. It could easily be mistaken for being a sports car until you stand next to it.
Its imposing stance is typical of a supercar, not an SUV. It's amazing how Ferrari has played with the height of the SUV, giving one the impression of a low-slung GT.
It is also light and compact in every possible manner, including the roof - and the rear wings further add to the SUV's perfect proportions. There's no grille up-front; it's somewhat like the Ferrari Roma in this aspect.
Source: Ferrari