Constructing an excellent SUV has shifted from an if to a when for many efficiency manufacturers. Again-to-back years of hovering gross sales have confirmed the idea’s viability and rapidly made them integral to a low-volume producer’s survival.
Nonetheless, as a result of the area is so profitable, manufacturers appear reluctant to experiment past the confirmed method. No matter which badge adorns the nostril, you’ll possible encounter related format, powertrain, and suspension configurations, typically leading to acquainted driving experiences. This leaves probably the most distinguishing options to the styling and inside departments.
The 2024 Ferrari Purosangue takes a unique strategy. It rides on an all-new platform constructed only for it, adopting a front-mid engine format. It employs a dual-clutch transaxle within the rear for higher weight distribution, all-wheel drive, and all-wheel steering. Nonetheless, its defining function is the naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 nestled beneath its front-hinged hood. The $393,350 Purosangue is a Ferrari, an excellent SUV second, and the primary to actually really feel like an unique machine. By venturing past the confirmed method, Maranello’s first tackle the kind defines the phase.
Its identify interprets to “thoroughbred,” and within the Ferrari Purosangue’s case, it’s greater than only a intelligent advertising ploy. Elements sharing is widespread within the area, starting from engines to finish constructions, however Maranello developed its first SUV by borrowing solely from itself. Regardless of being bigger than the GTC4Lusso’s, its bespoke aluminum chassis is lighter and 30 p.c extra torsionally inflexible. This construction allowed Ferrari to make use of a front-hinged hood à la Monza SP1 and a steeply raked A-pillar. A set of rear-hinged doorways complement a standard entrance pair and supply easy accessibility to the cabin whereas protecting the Purosangue’s footprint as small as doable. A normal carbon fiber roof with built-in soundproofing is 20 p.c lighter than an aluminum panel and lowers its middle of gravity.
Its homebred bones create a definite stance and presence. Whereas the Ferrari Purosangue is as extensive as a Lamborghini Urus, it’s six inches shorter and two inches decrease because of its sloped roofline. As such, this Prancing Horse doesn’t instantly come throughout as a tall SUV; it’s extra of a lifted GT, if something, or the world’s brawniest hatchback. Its cabin additionally sits nearer to the rear axle permitting it to sport an extended hood design paying homage to Maranello’s V12 two-door grand tourers. Stylistically, Ferrari’s option to forgo a standard headlight in favor of air intakes adorned with an LED strip, using floating wheel arches and rear hatch mounted spoiler solely provides to its uniqueness. The Purosangue is equal elements eccentric and purposeful, and this mix fits it properly.
Setting off within the Purosangue for the primary time feels, above all else, acquainted. You grip a flat-bottomed wheel straight out of a 296 GTB and look on the digital instrument cluster launched within the SF90 Stradale. Its engine notice conjures up recollections of the 812 Superfast, becoming because it employs the racier Competizione’s heads. This SUV is a Ferrari first, and there’s by no means a second the place it permits you to neglect.
Lean into the throttle, and the sensation solely intensifies. Its quad pipes come alive with a notice whose pitch rises as you’re employed your means up the tach. The Ferrari Purosangue develops loads of energy, nevertheless it makes you’re employed for it. Its 6.5-liter V12 produces an enormous 715 horses and 528 pound-feet, and till the latest introduction of the hybrid Lamborghini Urus SE, that made it probably the most highly effective SUV within the phase. Nonetheless, the Purosangue doesn’t lean on electrification or pressured induction. With peak energy coming in at 7,750 rpm, simply shy of its 8,250 rpm redline, it needs to be pushed like a supercar to extract its highest. But regardless of these excessive peak energy stats, its 6,250 rpm peak torque determine gives a wonderful mid-range shove.
On a twisty street, the Purosangue rewards a slow-in, fast-out strategy, with its dual-clutch transaxle ripping upshifts immediately as you rocket out of a bend. Speeds one by means of seven, a intently spaced set, carry over from the 296 GTB and the SF90 Stradale, whereas the highest eight is longer for cruising on the freeway. Extra importantly, its quick gears successfully maintain you inside the energy band whereas the instantaneous throttle response of its NA V12 permits it to really feel each bit as fast as its 715-hp output would counsel. Flat out, you’ll hit 62 mph in 3.3 seconds and 124 in 10.6, maxing out at 193 mph.
Dive right into a nook, and the Ferrari Purosangue once more rewards you with a well-known response. Just like the 296 GTB, its steering is ultra-light, exact and fast. The subtlest name from the wheel will get a response from the entrance finish. With a dry weight approaching 4,400 kilos, the Purosangue weighs lower than the Lamborghini Urus and the Aston Martin DBX707. And regardless of housing an enormous engine behind its entrance axle, it manages a 49:51 p.c weight distribution. As such, you don’t really feel an important huge mass pushing ahead as you start to show the wheel. All the pieces strikes in unison.
Nonetheless, there’s extra at play than good weight distribution and sticky Michelin rubber. Developed in collaboration with Multimatic, the Purosangue’s lively suspension incorporates True Lively Spool Valve dampers, arguably the key to its success. Every nook is paired with a 48-volt electrical motor, and because of information fed to them by a myriad of sensors, every damper can reply independently, adjusting trip peak and stiffness. Throughout a launch or a heavy braking occasion, for instance, the Purosangue squats to decrease its middle of gravity thus bettering grip.
This method works in tandem with an all-wheel drive and steering system, that are fed braking, throttle, and steering enter information and regulate accordingly. The Purosnague doesn’t simply have pre-set drive modes. It’s actively responding to each you and the street forward, dialing within the expertise and permitting you to hustle up a mountain street with supercar tempo.
Its suspension pays dividends round city and on the freeway as properly. By independently adjusting every nook, it’ll soak up bumps with out leaning on a very plush trip. The Purosangue thus feels settled however by no means agency, hanging a pleasant steadiness for a machine meant for every day use. It’s a tremendous SUV within the truest sense.
But, as proficient because the Ferrari Purosangue is in all issues tremendous, leaning so closely into this persona requires some concessions. Recall its godly, high-revving V12 for a second. It develops most of its energy and torque at increased revs, and though Ferrari claims it’ll produce 80 p.c of its torque output at 2,100 rpm, it doesn’t really feel as fast as its rivals accelerating at decrease speeds. You’ll nonetheless must get deep into the tach to get going.
Its GT-style proportions may make it a stunner, however the Purosangue’s quick rear finish limits its cargo capability to 16.7 cubic toes. For context, that’s barely lower than a Porsche Macan.
Step inside, and the Ferrari Purosangue greets you with a cabin that’s sporty however effortlessly elegant and arguably the very best within the phase from a design standpoint. Just like the GTC4Lusso, there’s seating for 4, with every leather-wrapped chair curving round you nearly just like the gentle bucket seat. Upfront, a sizeable dual-screen format splits the sprint, with every show angles towards the driving force and passenger respectively.
Nonetheless, as attractive as this inside is, it’s clear that perform follows kind. Within the middle of the sprint, you’ll discover a small touchscreen with a rotating bezel, which, regardless of its footprint, controls a number of important inside capabilities, typically requiring you to swipe between minute menus. Working it at pace seems like signing one thing whereas tying your shoe, and the steering wheel’s haptic suggestions buttons require practically as a lot consideration. Fortunately, if somebody is driving shotgun, many of those settings may be adjusted through the passenger show.
Pricing for the 2024 Ferrari Purosangue begins at $393,350, whereas this tester bumps that determine as much as $506,305 with non-obligatory extras included. Nonetheless, in contrast to the remainder of the tremendous SUV area, Maranello isn’t seeking to promote as many as doable, capping its manufacturing at fewer than 3,000 models yearly, or lower than 20 p.c of its whole output. It was by no means meant as a quantity play, and it’s all the higher for it.
The Ferrari Purosangue could also be one of many later entrants to the phase, nevertheless it distinguishes itself by doing issues in another way. It doesn’t comply with established formulation, from engine format to cylinder rely and bespoke platform. But, by straying additional and incorporating a revolutionary lively suspension system from the wizards at Multimatic, it blends its glorious straight-line efficiency and characterful V12 with dealing with that’s befitting of a Prancing Horse.
From huge and small particulars, the Purosangue seems like a Ferrari first and an SUV second. It’s arguably the primary tremendous SUV that seems like a correct unique. And whereas reaching this persona requires some concessions, they don’t detract from what makes Maranello’s first tackle the kind so particular. The Purosangue isn’t simply one other tremendous SUV. It defines the phase.
