A Ferrari unlike ever before.
The Purosangue doesn’t have to save Ferrari. It won’t sell in significant numbers because Maranello won’t build many. And it certainly isn’t meant to attract new customers to the brand; its allocations are reserved for the marque’s most loyal clientele. With its limited order books filled through 2026, the Purosangue is a performance four-door, four-seater built by a brand that doesn’t need one to survive. Yet it’s by forgetting about mass-market appeal that it shows us what a true super SUV can be.
In a segment powered almost exclusively by twin-turbocharged V8s, the Purosangue’s 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 is both old-school and distinct. It’s mounted behind the front axle in a front-mid configuration, with its eight-speed dual-clutch automatic relegated to the back for better weight distribution. Crucially, there are no electric motors to speak of. Only its Power Transfer Unit sits in front of the engine, making it all-wheel drive.
It rides on a new aluminum chassis, which is lighter and more torsionally rigid despite being larger than the GTC4 Lusso’s. It incorporates a carbon fiber roof to reduce its center of gravity and a front-hinged hood and rear-hinged back doors to achieve its distinct aesthetic. Like the 812 Superfast, its cabin sits closer to its rear axle, sporting a long-hood design characteristic of Maranello’s grand tourers.
Stepping in conjures memories of the discontinued four-seat Lusso, with the Purosangue incorporating a familiar layout. Its flat-bottomed wheel, digital instrument cluster, and colorful passenger display are more reminiscent of the 296 GTB. However, despite its larger interior real estate, Ferrari’s SUV doesn’t offer a central infotainment display like the Roma. It relegates vital A/C and seat controls to a minuscule touchscreen dial that’s challenging to operate on the move.
Yet, the first few miles in the Purosangue make an apologist of even the staunchest critic. At lower speeds, its V12 hums almost silently, its dual-clutch moving through speeds seamlessly while its active suspension, co-developed with Multimatic, delivers a plush but settled ride. Ferrari’s first SUV is equally at home, devouring miles on the highway or crawling in traffic in its most relaxed drive modes.
A twist of its Manettino awakes in the Purosangue in a way no other performance SUV we’ve tested does. Its quad pipes open, doubling the V12’s volume and presence. Increased throttle response allows it to deliver power like only a naturally aspirated engine can. Although Ferrari developed it to produce 80 percent of its torque at low revs, it doesn’t hand over all 715 horses until you near its 8,250-rpm redline. Even its 528 pound-feet of torque doesn’t come in until 6,250 rpm.
The result is an SUV that begs to be revved. It’s a four-seater you’ll need to drive like a supercar to fully appreciate and reap the rewards of its screaming engine and tremendous speed. A pace supplemented by its active suspension, which, thanks to electric motors, can effectively dial out body roll. And like the 296 GTB, its steering is quick to respond and ultra-precise.
The Purosangue is a scalpel in a world of hammers. You can’t rely on a burst of low-end torque to rocket you out of a bend. Approaching every twist of the road requires careful calculation. Keep the momentum and the revs high, and it’ll rocket out the other side. Fast in, faster out.
It’s this dual-persona that distinguishes this Ferrari. Like its rivals, it’s spacious, comfortable, and beautifully appointed. However, thanks to its Multimatic suspension, naturally-aspirated V12, and engaging driving experience, the Purosnague isn’t just a fast SUV built by a marque that produces supercars. It is the defining super SUV.
Stats
- Engine: 6.5-Liter Naturally-Aspirated V12
- Transmission: Eight-Speed Dual-Clutch
- Drive: All-Wheel-Drive
- Horsepower: 715
- Torque: 528 FT-LB
- 0-62 MPH: 3.3 Seconds
- Base Price: $393,350
- As-Tested Price: $506,305
This article appeared in our December 2024 Issue.
Introducing the November 2024 issue of duPont REGISTRY, #475, starring Steve McQueen’s Porsche 917. To get your hands on a copy, either buy a single issue or subscribe.