In this review, we get our hands on the new Ferrari Purosangue – Ferrari’s first four-door and the Maranello manufacturer’s first full four-seater. However, it’s not an SUV like Aston Martin’s DBX, Porsche Cayenne, or Lamborghini Urus. Not according to Ferrari, anyway. So, what is it?
Henry Catchpole drives the new V12 in the mountains of northern Italy to try to decipher exactly what the Purosangue is all about. In the end, he decides that all that really matters is not boot space or legroom or the fantastic new Burmester stereo, it’s whether it still has the feel of a Ferrari. Is it just an example of badge engineering or is there real substance to it?
The spec sheet would certainly seem to suggest that it’s the latter. A monstrous 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 makes the Purosangue unique in the segment and it sounds utterly glorious – particularly when hammering through the avalanche tunnels running alongside a frozen mountain lake. On days like these…
But it’s not just the engine that is interesting, there is also the new active suspension. Developed by Multimatic, the True Active Spool Valve technology has (in theory) allowed Ferrari to tune the ride of the car independent of the handling. This means that for every stage of the Manettino, there are also up to three options for the firmness of the suspension. It’s clever stuff and rather beautiful when you see what’s hiding in the arches.
Finally, in this episode of The Driver’s Seat, there is a quick look back at Ferrari’s history because although this is the first production four-door in the company’s history, there was a concept in 1980 called the Ferrari Pinin that was designed by Pininfarina and had Enzo Ferrari’s blessing. What’s more, there is a nice link between that four-door concept and the new production car.
Presented by Mobil 1.
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