Ferrari sold 13,221 cars in 2022 worldwide, a record likely to be surpassed this year, though not by much. Simply because they don’t want to. Because everything seems to indicate that the Maranello brand will keep its exclusive production philosophy intact.
In fact, they have already sold the two-year production of the new Purosangue. It is the Ferrari universe and the comparison with any other car brand is useless. It is about maintaining expectation and exclusivity, even if this entails waiting for two years among its clients.
And that the Purosangue means entering unknown territory for Ferrari as it is the first four-door, four-seater car in the 75-year history of the Maranello-based manufacturer. And with an SUV philosophy and appearance, although Ferrari does not say so.
Ferrari, and this is another peculiarity, never gives production figures or sales targets. Nor does he need. It is known that only 20% of the production of each new model is manufactured per year. In other words, about 2,600 units a year will be manufactured from the Purosangue.
For the world presentation of its new model -we were going to say the first Ferrari SUV, but this definition initially used by some media neither fits with the car nor does the same people in charge of the legendary Italian brand like it-, we had to go to Pinzolo, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, in northern Italy.
And indeed, once there, and after having seen and driven it, saying that the impressive Purosangue is Ferrari’s first SUV is imprecise and inaccurate. The Purosangue is, above all, a true Ferrari, an unrivaled car on the market and an exercise in style and a colossal technological display.
It is worth explaining that Aston Martin with the DBX, Bentley with the Bentayga, Lamborghini with the Urus or Maserati with the Levante were ahead of Ferrari with vehicles with a similar philosophy. But the Purosangue is something else. It is not only the fastest and most powerful of them, it is also the most expensive. Ferrari, again, sends a clear message of dominance. The one he lacks in F1, probably.
But Ferrari has already had, throughout its history, 2 2 models, with two front seats and two smaller rear seats, such as the 612 Scaglietti or the GTC4Lusso. What it had not manufactured to date is a car like the Purosangue: four doors, four real seats (nothing 2 2, two passengers can fit comfortably in the back), V12 front engine and four-wheel drive.
With an extremely slim front end, extremely finely designed headlights and a long hood and nose to accommodate the powerful V12, the Purosangue impresses live with its proportionate dimensions. It is of a beauty never seen in this type of car and another great success by Flavio Manzoni, director of the Centro Stile de Ferrari. And it integrates stylistic concepts from the SF90 Stradale.
It’s almost five meters long, but it doesn’t look like it. And seen from the side, the muscular outline of its lines stands out. It obviously has a higher ground clearance than other models of the brand, the wheel arches marked in a contrasting color and huge wheels and tires: 255/35 R22 (front) and 315/30 R23 (behind).
On the other hand, the rear doors are inverted, they open in the opposite direction than usual, to facilitate access and obtain a more comfortable feeling of space, although the central pillar is maintained for a logical matter of structural rigidity.
And the trunk, another great novelty, has a capacity of 473 liters, a real luxury in a Ferrari. Additionally, the rear seats can be folded down to increase cargo capacity.
Likewise, the aerodynamic development of the Purosangue has focused on making the bodywork, underbody and rear diffuser as efficient as possible. New solutions include the synergy between the front bumper and the wheel arch trim, which generates an air curtain that aerodynamically seals the front wheels, preventing turbulent cross-sectional airflows from being generated.
The highly sophisticated aerodynamics of the Purosangue is the result of the use of the wind tunnel, with low fairings and a highly efficient rear diffuser design.
They say that when it was learned that the Purosangue would mount a V12 engine, orders among customers of the Italian brand skyrocketed throughout the world. There is nothing like having prestige and such a rich historical legacy to create expectation and, at Ferrari, they know that for a while.
It is a V12, a historical architecture of Ferrari, with a 65º angle between the cylinder banks and 6.5 liters of displacement. Atmospheric and designed to generate a lot of power at low revs. In fact, 80% of the maximum torque is available at just 2,100rpm and peaks at 716Nm at 6,250rpm. The maximum power is 725 hp at 7,750 rpm. Awesome.
In other words, an engine that is practically unique in the current panorama with an extraordinary responsiveness in any situation. Because nothing is comparable to the touch, sound, strength and elegance in the power delivery of a V12. And the perfect dance partner for this mechanical gem is the eight-speed F1 DCT dual-clutch transmission. It’s not that it’s fast, it’s instant. There are fast and effective sequential changes on the market, but Ferrari plays in another league.
On the other hand, Ferrari has used a transaxle structure with the engine in a longitudinal front position and the gearbox located on the rear axle. Thus, a perfect weight distribution is achieved, with 49% on the front axle and 51% on the rear. The roof of the car is made of carbon fiber to reduce weight and also the center of gravity.
Purosangue had to be a reference in everything. In performance, of course, but also in usability and comfort. In this sense, the new active suspension would deserve a separate article. It is a world first, a unique and innovative system developed by Ferrari engineers. This technology allows to control the movements of the body through the automatic control of the suspension. A system that uses accelerometers and position sensors on each wheel, capturing information 200 times per second, and working together with side slip control.
A technology that optimizes the car’s performance to the maximum when cornering and prevents swaying or unwanted movements of the body. The result is amazing road holding in a car of this size and weight: it steers flat every time with an efficiency much like models like the 812 Superfast.
Another technological novelty is the new ABS evo controller (developed with Bosch) and integrated with the brake-by-wire system. A technology developed to drive on low-grip surfaces and in all Manettino configurations.
In addition, in the Purosangue the all-wheel drive system incorporates the four steering wheels already used by the 812 Competizione and maintains the electronically controlled differential.
At the wheel, above all, the Purosangue is a Ferrari. The driving position, higher than usual, however remains quite low. It is also the most comfortable Ferrari we have driven, since it allows long journeys without punishing the occupants. Above all, using the Comfort driving mode and the active suspension in the softest mode. It measures almost five meters and exceeds two tons, but it is hardly noticeable.
The power of the engine impresses and always with a melody worthy of the best soundtrack. But the car is very well soundproofed and, unlike other Prancing Horse models, the engine is less noticeable in the passenger compartment. However, when accelerating eagerly and exceeding 6,000 rpm, the concert becomes completely stimulating for the driver and companions, if applicable.
On the road, the driver can play with the positions of the Manettino, on the right side of the steering wheel. Complete and evolved, the programs are: ICE, WET, COMFORT, SPORT and ESC OFF. But the most incredible thing is that in each selected program, pressing the Manettino, we will have different degrees of hardness of the active suspension. In Sport mode, for example, we can select the Soft, Medium or Hard degrees of the suspension. Hard to find something more complete.
The combination of all this electronics, with the V12 engine, the DCT F1 gearbox and the all-wheel drive make the Purosangue driving experience something sublime, unique. Comfortable when we want it and effective and explosive when conditions allow it.
The traction capacity, even on snow, is truly extraordinary. On snow or ice, the Michelin winter tires that our unit wore and, of course, the priceless work of the active suspension are definitive.
They explain to us that the driving position is inspired by the SF90 Stradale with a 10.2-inch screen that provides a lot of information. And the Purosangue has the fully digital interface already adopted in the rest of the range. The interior architecture of the Purosangue is based on the concept of a double dashboard, which has been expanded and reproduced in the rear of the vehicle, creating four well-differentiated areas in terms of functionality, volumes, materials and colours.
Also for the first time, compatibility with the Android Auto and Apple CarPlay systems is offered as standard in a Ferrari. More efficient and constantly updated, they replace the traditional integrated navigation system.
The use of sustainable materials is no stranger to Ferrari, such as 85% of the upholstery, the fabric lining of the headliner or the recycled polyamide carpet from recovered fishing nets. The Alcántara fabric deserves a special mention, made exclusively with 68% recycled polyester.
The sound system from the prestigious Burmester firm, with 21 speakers, is another piece of equipment worthy of such a special vehicle. And, as equipment, Ferrari offers for the first time an electrochromic glass roof that intelligently filters the entry of sunlight.
And it also has a wide range of optional equipment and customization (Tailor Made) that will allow each owner to find the perfect balance between comfort and performance.
The basic price for our market is 440,000 euros. The first units will reach their customers this summer.
