Ferrari has done what could have been an unthinkable and unspeakable notion when its founding father Enzo was still alive: design and engineer a crossover. Now, it unwraps its maiden offering in the segment with the Purosangue, Ferrari’s first model with two doors on each side and hosting a V12 under the hood.
We're eager to hear what old-school Ferrari fans think
The name may be Italian for ‘full-blooded,’ but purists will likely cast doubt on the latest Prancing Horse’s pedigree. While the brand has had four-seater models in the past, the Purosangue’s high-riding stance is aimed at Ferrari’s fellow Italian and rival Lamborghini that has capitulated to the crossover trend with the Urus back in 2018.
The automaker is referring to the Purosangue as a ‘Ferrari Utility Vehicle,’ and not without a hint of irony. “We’re not calling it an SUV. We’re not even talking about SUVs,” Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna emphatically said. So what can the world expect?
Exterior
Right off the bat, the Purosangue is a tribute to sleekness and speed, not so much on practicality despite its 3,017mm wheelbase. That much is evident on the steeply raked windshield, preceded by a sensuous fascia, with LED strip lights bordered high and low by what appear to be air vents.
The fascia is true to the glimpses shown by the leaks
The mesh grille is located below as part of the front bumper, surrounded by larger intakes on both sides. It sports the familiar Ferrari totem in the middle, lining up with the yellow-backed version of the badge just beyond the hood’s leading edge. Hidden at each corner of the bumper are what could be the headlamps, hovering over the tips of the carbon fiber trim.
More air vents lie at the base of the A-pillar, setting off sharp character lines that terminate almost midway into the second-row doors, just before the Purosangue’s wide rear quarters. Slim LED tail lamps surround the vehicle’s rear hatch, below which lies the quad exhaust tips surrounded by a rear bumper and diffuser made of the same carbon fiber material on the wheel arches and rocker panels.
Ferrari endowed the Purosangue with backwards-hinged rear doors
Part of efforts to bring the center of gravity as far down as possible is a standard carbon fiber roof. The rear openings feature a backwards-hinged suicide door design that enable them to swing at a maximum of 79 degrees, equipped with a power-closing feature.
Interior
The Purosangue’s cabin comes with accommodations for four, all on bucket seats clad in leather that surrounds most of the interior as well. Separated by a pair of consoles, both the first- and second-row seats have the Prancing Horse embossed on the headrests.
Only four occupants get to experience the Purosangue at a time
There’s a decent 473 liters of space at the back for luggage and whatnot, considering that a specific mission order for the vehicle was to maintain an aerodynamic profile.
Tech & Safety
Aside from the flat-bottom leather steering wheel which houses the engine start button and F1-inspired manettino dial, the dashboard features two screens both bordered by air-conditioning vents. One is a digital instrument cluster that simulates an analog tachometer lying between two readouts showing the Purosangue’s various operating parameters.
Leather abounds in the Purosangue's interior
The second, oddly enough, is the infotainment touchscreen located on the front passenger side, separated from the glovebox by a carbon fiber trim piece. Right in between the two displays are the haptic touch climate control buttons.
Electronic stability control will be standard, as is the rest of the usual safety features such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. But according to Ferrari, buyers shouldn’t expect available onboard driver assistance to go beyond Level 2 Plus, so as not to dilute the driving experience.
Engine & Drivetrain
Ferrari has deemed the Purosangue worthy of coming outfitted with a 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12, claiming it to have the highest output among its grand tourers with 715 horsepower and 716 Nm of torque.
Apart from the V12, a V8 hybrid and two electric versions are reportedly coming
This is bolted on to an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission and an all-wheel drivetrain, allowing the Purosangue to reach 100 kilometers per hour from a standstill in 3.3 seconds. Top speed is pegged at around 310 kilometers per hour.
The V12 is slated to be followed by a hybrid V8 option since it shares the same platform as the award-winning Roma GT, as well as two electric models that will launch between 2024 and 2026.
Pricing
The 2023 Ferrari Purosangue starts at 390,000 euros (around Php 22.47 million). Unlike its volume-selling rivals from Lamborghini, Porsche, or even Bentley, Ferrari is reportedly intending the Purosangue as a niche halo product that will comprise less than 20 percent of shipments worldwide, maintaining its exclusivity.
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