Coming soon: Ferrari Purosangue

We knew the Ferrari Purosangue was coming. Rory even made a video explaining why it had to happen and how the car might turn out. Well, now we know. Because the Purosangue is officially here.
When Rory made his video we didn’t know anything about the Purosangue, what engine it would have, whether or not it would be electrified or even what it actually looked like. So, did he call it right? Given it’s powered by a 6.5-litre, 725 horsepower V12 engine without a hint of turbocharging or electrification perhaps not on the hybrid thing. Or not yet, at least. But Rory pretty much nailed the rest of it, and Ferrari has, as he anticipated, gone in hard, with promises of 0-62mph in just 3.3 seconds and a top speed of over 190mph. This is Ferrari building an SUV on its own terms, as it attempts to reconcile the apparently conflicting customer demand for tall, off-road inspired luxury vehicles with its own proud traditions of building low-slung supercars. To that end it has adapted the innovative all-wheel drive system first developed for the quirky FF ‘estate’ car and further developed for its GTC4Lusso successor.

This technically unusual arrangement is paired with more recent tech seen on other Ferraris, including four-wheel steering, an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and the plethora of clever electronic control systems that make any driver feel like F1 star Charles Leclerc on a pole-setting quali lap. Clever grip-sensing control systems from the SF90 Stradale and 296 GTB have been adapted for slippery surfaces like snow, while an all-new suspension system hopes to eliminate the rolling in corners that traditionally afflicts even the sportiest SUVs. And while the Purosangue breaks ground for being the first four-seat, four-door Ferrari it’s also the first to feature more everyday technology, like the Hill Descent Control found in many family crossovers.
Of course, while Ferrari and its petrolhead fans will obsess over the performance and tech the rest of the world will probably be more fixated on the looks and features. Here the Purosangue most definitely goes its own way and looks way sleeker than any other sporting SUV in the market, rivals like the Aston Martin DBX and Lamborghini Urus included. Ferrari devotes lots of flowery language to explaining the contrast between the functional lower sections of the car and the more expressive upper bodywork, along with some very technical descriptions of how the air is directed over, through and under it in an attempt to make it handle like a proper Ferrari.

Inside it’s even more exciting, the individual rear seats accessed by rear-hinged ‘welcome’ doors and each of the four occupants cocooned in their own personal space. Up front is the inevitable digital instrument display and central screen, the passenger getting their own so they can apparently “participate in the driving experience”. Or, to put it another way, scream at the numbers appearing in front of them as the driver lets rip with that mighty engine.
For all the unashamed excess even Ferrari has to show deference to sustainability, boasting that as much of 85 per cent of the trim is from recycled plastics, fishing nets and other eco conscious materials. Leather remains an option while new materials such as military-grade fabrics will also be available for more eco-aware customers. That may be something of a hollow boast in a hugely expensive SUV with a 6.5-litre petrol engine and over 700 horsepower. But it shows even luxury brands have to get on board with sustainability. How will it drive, and how much will it cost? We’ll have to wait and see, but expect plenty of outrageous numbers on both scores.