The Prancing Horse from Italy is easily the most recognisable brand to have ever existed and I’m not talking in terms of the car industry, everyone alive is clearly aware what a Ferrari is. A symbol of status and wealth, a Ferrari is more of an accessory that you’re proud of. However, what good is an accessory if it isn’t practical? However, Ferrari has given their latest model everything it needs, to be as practical as possible in this modern world, which basically means a hatch and more doors.
Yep, Ferrari has joined the bandwagon with their all-new four-door car called the ‘Purosangue’ or simply ‘thoroughbred’ in Italian. The first-ever for the 75-year old manufacturer. While the four-door is new, longtime Ferrari fans would understand the significance of the term ‘2+2’, a callback to the early years when Ferrari made cars with two seats at the front and two smaller seats in the back. This trait has been carried over to the Purosangue.
Meet Ferrari’s New Family-Friendly ‘Purosangue’
The Purosangue comes in to replace Ferrari’s answer to their shooting brake, the GTC4 Lusso. Ferrari has denied the term ‘SUV’ for the model, as they refer to it as a ‘modern GT’ instead, stating “a completely different layout and innovative proportions compared to modern GT archetypes (so-called crossovers and SUVs) were adopted”.
The Purosangue, on the other hand, has a mid-front-mounted engine with the gearbox at the rear to deliver a 49:51% weight distribution that Maranello’s engineers deem optimal for a mid-front-engined sports car. The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) is coupled in front of the engine to provide a unique 4x4 transmission.
According to Ferrari, the Purosangue stands head and shoulders above the rest of the market thanks to its performance and comfort. It is the only car with these proportions to sport a mid-front-mounted, naturally-aspirated V12. Maranello’s most iconic engine debuts in this brand new configuration to ensure the car unleashes more power than any other in the segment 715hp whilst guaranteeing the most enthralling Ferrari engine soundtrack. Furthermore, it can deliver 80% torque even at low revs to give the best experience at any time.
The Purosangue’s aero development focused on making the bodywork, underbody and rear diffuser as efficient as possible. New solutions include synergy between the front bumper and wheel arch trim which generates an air curtain that aerodynamically seals the front wheels, preventing turbulent transverse air flows being generated.
Fast Is An Understatement
Ferrari has also given the Purosangue the very latest iterations of the vehicle dynamic control systems introduced on its most powerful and exclusive sports cars, including independent four-wheel steering and ABS ‘evo’ with the 6-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor (6w-CDS). Making its world debut is the new Ferrari active suspension system. This very effectively controls body roll in corners as well as the tyre contact patch over high-frequency bumps to deliver the same performance and handling response as in one of the marque’s sports cars.
A carbon fibre roof is a standard feature on the Purosangue in order to lower the centre of gravity as well as keeping the weight down. You may be wondering why Ferrari would need to keep the weight down considering the car does 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds and 0 to 200 in 10.6 seconds. That is thanks to the 6.5-litre dry-sump V12 engine, codenamed F140IA, with the cylinder head derived from the 812 Competizione. All-in-all, 715hp at 7750rpm and 716Nm of torque at 6250rpm does sound lovely.
The layout of the 8-speed, oil-bath dual-clutch transmission was optimised through the adoption of a dry sump and a significantly more compact clutch assembly, shaving 15 mm off the installed height in the car which, in turn, lowers the centre of gravity by the same amount. The new clutch’s performance is 35% higher, transmitting up to 1200 Nm in dynamic torque during gear shifts. Thanks to new-generation actuation hydraulics, clutch fill times are now faster so that total gear shift times have been reduced compared to the previous 7-speed DCT.
New gear ratios mean that the spacings are shorter and very progressive, and a longer top ratio is geared for greater economy in motorway driving. Down shifts have been calibrated to optimise smooth shifting with a specific focus on driving pleasure and emphasising the sound of the new V12 engine. Not to mention, now with two progressive silencers, the sound can be adjusted through the Manettino settings, for in-town and performance driving.
Hold On To Your Horses
Prices for the Malaysian market have yet to be announced, however Ferrari guarantees a 7-year or 120,000km maintenance programme will be included. For now, it is unsure when it will be launched locally but we expect Q2 2023 will be the time when the launch car will make rounds in this region. People may argue to why Ferrari would make such car but if history serves me right, Enzo Ferrari once said he’d be willing to make anything as long as it funds his racing team.
Written by | Danial Malek Images by | Ferrari
