Ferrari’s new Purosangue got a lot of bullshit when it was announced. Ferrari, purists said, shouldn’t build a giant SUV just because Lamborghini did. Well, Ferrari didn’t. Instead, the new Pursangue is an SUV, but not like any other SUV you’ll see on the road, probably ever.
Ferrari knows its heritage and has made sure its first SUV has the power, handling, luxury and technology its customers demand. Too bad it was sold out in Pursangues.
The new Purosangue has a V-12
Ferrari purists probably breathed a huge sigh of relief when they discovered that, first, the Purosangue would have a version of the marque’s iconic 12-cylinder engine, and second, that Ferrari still made V-12s. The V-12 engine is a hallmark of Ferrari performance cars thanks to its ability to put out lots and lots of smooth power, in this case 715 horsepower according to ferrari. Ohh, and did we mention how it sounds? beautiful.
A long 2+2 tradition continues at Ferrari
Sure, most of us had posters of Ferrari’s iconic two-seater cars on our walls growing up, like the Testarossa or the Enzo. But Ferrari has a long tradition of making cars that it calls 2+2 for its ability to comfortably seat two people in the front and two in the rear. With cars like the iconic 330 GT2+2, Mondial and GTC4, you could take three of your friends for a thrill ride.
It is a mid-engine (front) layout
When we think of a supercar, we often think of the engine positioned in the middle of the car, behind the driver for perfect balance. But on the Purosangue, that’s where your hatchback, people, and luggage will go. So Ferrari pushed the V-12 as far back from the front axle as possible to create a front mid-engined car. That means the rear of the engine is right up against the cabin firewall, allowing you to hear everything the engine does.
The new Pursosangue is aerodynamic
Any sports car needs to cut through the wind, and the Purosangue is no different. Most SUVs are big bricks that push through the air with brute force. But with the Purosangue, Ferrari used tricks from its race cars to create original air curtains around the wheels that seal out turbulent air. It’s one way that Purosangue can differentiate itself from its rare air competition.
It has “suicide” doors at the rear.
Not since the gigantic Lincoln land yachts of the 1960s have we seen suicide doors on the back of a production car in the US Sure, there have been original attempts like the RX8 and Honda Element. But rear-hinged doors are still a rare feature that only special and rare cars have. In a car with a narrow back seat, like the Purosangue, they make sense and make for easy access. But these doors are a first for Ferrari.
It should drive like a Ferrari.
This is a large SUV, for a Ferrari, and the company had to pull every trick it could. For example, the Purosangue has an active suspension system that uses accelerometers and position sensors at each corner of the car. Those sensors interact with the brakes and suspension, along with all-wheel drive and all-wheel steering, to help the car navigate corners. It also has the next generation of an electronic differential and an eight-speed automatic transmission to harness the power.