Talk of a Ferrari SUV goes back several years and now one is actually here in the form of the Ferrari Purosangue, which was revealed in Pisa on Tuesday.
The Purosangue, Italian for “thoroughbred,” is more of a low-slung crossover than a true SUV, however. In fact, 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 pavement scraping.
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.
Local pricing will be released closer to the market 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.
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 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, 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.
Ferrari Purosangue
The engine here 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.
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.
Ferrari Purosangue
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 what you find in the SF90 Stradale and features dual cowls, with the front passenger cowl featuring its 10.2-inch touchscreen display.
