Ferrari Purosangue: 725 CV V12 engine and 4 doors for the first SUV from Ferrari

Much has been said in recent times about Ferrari’s first SUV, and now it is a reality. The Ferrari Purosangue, the marca’s first model with four genuine seats from the Cavallino brand, arrives with a spectacular body and a naturally aspirated V12 engine producing 725 CV to become the sportiest SUV on the market.

A title it will compete for with the SUVs of two of its longtime rivals, the Lamborghini Urus and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo Coupé. Because in pure power none of them comes close to the 1,020 CV of the Tesla Model X Plaid; but the electric SUV plays in a different league.

The biggest Ferrari on the outside… and on the inside

With a length of 4.97 metres, a width of 2.03 metres and a height of 1.59 metres, the Purosangue is the largest Ferrari by a wide margin. Its wheelbase is 3.02 metres, one of the keys to offering an interior space in which four occupants can travel comfortably, something unprecedented for the brand until now.

Beyond its spectacular design and very well-achieved proportions, a notable feature of the Purosangue is that the rear doors open at an angle of up to 80 degrees in the opposite direction to the front ones. However, the central pillar has not been dispensed with, so the access opening to the two individual seats in the rear is not very large.

As for the boot, it has a capacity of 473 litres. This may be the only area where the Purosangue falls behind its rivals: the Porsche Cayenne Coupé reaches 550 litres, and the Lamborghini Urus exceeds 600 litres. That said, the rear seats can be folded down to expand the space available for luggage at any time.

Ferrari announces a dry kerb weight of 2,033 kg, thanks to the massive use of aluminium and carbon fibre across much of the body. The roof, for example, is CFRP, which saves 20% in weight compared with an equivalent aluminium one and lowers the centre of gravity. Compared with other four-seat (even 2+2) Ferrari models, the Purosangue offers 30% greater torsional rigidity.

One of the great challenges for Ferrari designers has been aerodynamics, which has been especially worked on in the underbody and with solutions such as the “aerobridge”, a spoiler suspended over the bonnet in front of the front pillar that generates an airflow diverted through a system of ducts towards the front wheel arches. The body’s own airflow and the underside of the rear spoiler mean the Purosangue does not need a rear wiper, as the air itself prevents water from accumulating on the rear window.

V12 engine, all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering

To propel the Purosangue, Ferrari uses a naturally aspirated direct-injection V12 mounted at the front with the two cylinder banks at 65 degrees, a displacement of 6,496 cubic centimetres and dry-sump lubrication. Maximum power is 725 CV at 7,750 rpm, maximum torque reaches 716 Nm at 6,250 rpm, and the fuel cut-off is set at 8,250 rpm. The performance figures are not disappointing: 0 to 100 km/h in 3.3 seconds, just 10.6 seconds to reach double that speed from a standstill, and a top speed above 310 km/h.

Continuing with the figures, the engine has a specific output of 111 CV per litre, high for a naturally aspirated engine. The Purosangue’s power-to-weight ratio is 2.80 kg/CV. Drive to all four wheels is channelled through an 8-speed F1 DCT dual-clutch gearbox, the same one used in the SF90 Stradale or the 296 GTB, mounted at the rear axle to achieve a more balanced distribution, which stands at 49/51 between the front and rear axles.

For the all-wheel-drive system, Ferrari has evolved the system from the SF980 Stradale, with torque vectoring on the front axle and the E-Diff electronic rear differential. The Purosangue also comes as standard with four-wheel steering, while the suspension features dampers fitted with small electric motors to achieve fully active operation, a first for Ferrari, which in the Purosangue is responsible for effectively controlling body movements. And the brakes are “by-wire”, with front discs measuring 398×38 mm and rear discs measuring 380×34 mm. Ferrari quotes a stopping distance from 100 km/h to zero of 32.8 metres, and from 200 km/h of 129 metres.

The Purosangue has been presented fitted with the new Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres, developed for sports cars and not specific to SUVs. On the front axle it runs 22-inch wheels with 255/35 tyres, while the rear axle uses 23-inch wheels with 315/30 tyres. I very much doubt Ferrari ever considered that future Purosangue owners would take it off the tarmac. In any case, the brand has decided to equip its new SUV with a hill descent control system, the first time a Ferrari has featured this device.

A Ferrari for four

The first thing that catches the eye in the Purosangue’s dashboard design is its symmetry, clearly inspired by the SF90 Stradale: apart from the steering wheel, and because the instrument hood is slightly larger, the driver’s and front passenger’s areas are almost identical. In both cases there is a 10.2-inch diagonal screen. In the rear, the two individual seats, with all kinds of independent adjustments including backrest recline, are separated by a large centre console.

As well as an exclusive audio system signed by Burmester, a Alcantara upholstery made from recycled polyester can optionally be fitted. Ferrari states that the standard upholstery already includes 85% recycled materials. As curious details, the traditional carpet mats can be replaced with a bulletproof fabric like that used in military uniforms.

And for the first time in the brand, customers can personalise even the roof, choosing a glass roof instead of the carbon-fibre one, covered by an electrochromic film that changes its opacity to protect passengers from sunlight. Other firsts for Ferrari debuting on the Purosangue are the air-quality sensor and standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

The Ferrari Purosangue also comes as standard with the extended seven-year Ferrari maintenance programme, which covers all work to be carried out on the vehicle at regular service intervals of 20,000 km or once a year.

Ferrari Purosangue – Image gallery