Ferrari on Tuesday revealed the Purosangue, the brand's first nod toward the popularity of SUVs.
The Purosangue, Italian for “thoroughbred,” is more of a low-slung crossover than a true SUV. As revealed in Pisa, Italy, it more closely resembles a taller version of the GTC4 Lusso hatchback, the model it directly replaces, though it should still prove popular thanks to practical elements like four doors (a first for a production Ferrari), 2+2 seating, and ground clearance that isn't set at a pavement-scraping low.
Those things matter, even among shoppers of exotic brands like Aston Martin, Lamborghini, and Porsche, where high-riding models vastly outsell sports cars. And the same will likely be true for Ferrari and its Purosangue which is slated to reach the U.S. in the third quarter of 2023.
Underpinning the Purosangue is a new front mid-engine platform Ferrari has developed for grand touring models. The platform complements the new mid-engine architecture that debuted in the SF90 Stradale and has since appeared under the 296 GTB, and it features its transmission mounted at the rear to help deliver a near-ideal 49:51 weight distribution.
A mechanical all-wheel-drive system is also included. Unlike most AWD systems with a center differential, Ferrari's setup, known as 4RM, relies on a 2-speed transmission that mounts to the front of the engine and takes power directly from the crankshaft to the front wheels. Here, power is directed to the wheels that can use it best, in this case 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, in this case an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The engine is a newly developed 6.5-liter V-12. It generates 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 numbers are impressive considering the Purosangue weighs a hefty 4,480 lb—dry. Helping to motivate the heavy horse is the engine's ability to generate 80% of the peak torque from just 2,100 rpm.
Ferrari Purosangue
The Purosangue could have been even heavier, but Ferrari used high-strength aluminum alloys in the spaceframe chassis to help reduce weight while maintaining rigidity. Carbon fiber for some of the body panels, including the roof, was also employed to help reduce weight. Customers can choose to have the carbon roof swapped for electrochromic glass, though.
The styling of the body follows a handsome theme first introduced on the Roma coupe, but new to the design are the four doors, with the two rear doors mounted as rear-hinged suicide-style doors similar to those used on the Mazda RX-8 sports car. This allowed the design team to preserve a sporty coupe-like side view.
Inside, there are four individual seats, though the rear seats are still smaller than what you find in a typical SUV. Cargo space in the trunk is 16.7 cubic feet, though the rear seats fold flat in case more space is needed. The design of the dash is similar to that in the SF90 Stradale and features dual cowls, with the front passenger cowl stocked with its 10.2-inch touchscreen display.
Ferrari Purosangue
Ferrari Purosangue
Ferrari Purosangue
There are also a lot more luxury goodies in the Purosangue than your typical Ferrari, where performance tends to be the main focus. For its SUV, Ferrari adds items like a premium Burmester audio system, massaging seats, cabin air filtration, and carbon-fiber trim with copper weaving. In a nod to most customers likely using their mobile phones for navigation, the Purosangue relies on Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone integration as a substitute for a traditional built-in navigation system.
U.S. pricing will be announced closer to the local launch but in Ferrari's home market, prices will start at 390,000 euros (approximately $391,000). To help maintain exclusivity, Ferrari plans to cap production at around 3,000 units per year, or roughly 20% of the automaker's 15,000-unit total annual capacity. That means finding an example at list will likely be next to impossible.
