An unexpected journey
We join the final wave of the Ferrari New Zealand Grand Tour in the thoroughbred Purosangue and bring its blend of V12 sound to Milford Sound
Our five-car Ferrari Purosangue convoy brought its own sound (of music) as we swarmed down the winding roads in the final push towards Milford Sound in the Fiordland National Park, with the Prancing Horse’s strident V12 echoing triumphantly off the cliff walls.
We’re in the South Island of New Zealand to participate in the fifth and final wave of Ferrari’s New Zealand Grand Tour in the brand’s latest and arguably most definitive grand tourer – the Purosangue.
The Purosangue’s sticker price of above $2 million in Singapore elevates it beyond the Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX and puts it in the same league as the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
In this rarefied segment, it is all about the “wants” and not “either or,” which is a good thing, seeing as the Cullinan and Purosangue complement each other perfectly in one’s garage, with the usual menagerie of super-sportscars nestled between these all-weather, “go-everywhere” ultra-luxe utility bookends.
On the one hand, the Rolls embodies ultra-luxe waftability and segues effortlessly from country to town and back again. At the other end of the spectrum sits Ferrari’s first high-riding four-door four-seater, which bristles with dynamic firepower that’ll be useful for ballistic cross-country jaunts over winding B-roads.
Our final wave in the five Italian-registered Purosangues would see the group romp some 750km from the tranquil Gibbston Valley Lodge & Spa just outside Queenstown through to the family-owned Fiordland Lodge Te Anau, then take a quick hop to the mist-shrouded Milford Sound in the South Island’s south-west, before finishing-off at The Rees Hotel back in Queenstown — all in the span of a few days.
The New Zealand Grand Tour, which started in Auckland, would cover an estimated 3000km by its conclusion. Our Skittles assortment of blue (Blu Corsa) and red (Rosso Portofino) Purosangues was a sight and sound as we soaked in the South Island’s spectacular landscape.
Like the epic battle scenes from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings/Hobbit fantasy movie franchise, we would unleash an Italian blend of pomp and pageantry on some of the country’s most theatrical expanses of scenery.
Don’t be fooled by the Purosangue’s urbane styling and seemingly utilitarian crossover character. At its heart, the naturally aspirated V12 is capable of unleashing a savage 725hp and 716Nm, especially mated to the lightning-quick 8spd dual-clutch transmission.
The Purosangue takes just 3.3 secs to blast from 0 to 100km/h as Ferrari’s most practical model closes in on its top speed of above 310km/h.
In true Prancing Horse fashion, it is not just about outright speed either because the Purosangue’s 4RM-S all-wheel drivetrain and four-wheel steer system are calibrated to deliver scintillating dynamics of a sublime order.
The Purosangue engages, enthrals and eggs the enthusiastic driver because of the confidence that comes from its sure-footedness and the connectedness at the helm between man and machine. Yet, it is ever-refined, with a pliancy to the proceedings that never jolts a hair out of place.
Its dynamic poise and composure go a long way towards explaining its name because Purosangue means “pure blood” (or thoroughbred in Italian), and it is every inch a Ferrari — just like the rest of the stable.
There is an agility and keenness to the Purosangue’s handling that can be attributed to its front, mid-engine transaxle configuration, as well as the fact that its Power Transfer Unit is tuned to deliver a 49:51 weight distribution, which is a hallmark of all the great driver’s cars.
Its technical and handling abilities aren’t intended to take the fight to its SF90, 296 or Roma brethren (nor is it meant to tackle severe off-road courses like specialised 4x4s).
Instead, the Purosangue is expected to deliver the refinement and evocative performance expected of a Ferrari in this segment — to cover overland distances over challenging terrain and weather in a fun, fast and feelsome fashion.
Naturally, in keeping with its character, the Purosangue is engineered to be more progressive in its performance delivery, as opposed to the raw and reactiveness of its sportscar stablemates.
It may ride taller than your familiar Ferrari sportscar, but the Purosangue is sportily hunkered down. It features a slippery silhouette, refined musculature, and aesthetic elements that are recognisably Ferrari.
The cabin exudes a fuss-free cohesiveness that is more sporty than stately. It has a familiar haptic interface (similar to Ferrari’s current range of sportscars) and driver ergonomics that are spot-on for sporty shenanigans.
We especially like the rising command dial in the centre console, which lets you control multiple auxiliary functions, including climate control.
There was ample stowage for my driving companion and me around the cabin for our camera gear and mounts, with the Purosangue’s 473-litre boot gamely accommodating our larger articles. In the back, the individual rear seats can be adjusted independently of one another for greater passenger comfort.
The rear “welcome doors” (Ferrari eschews the “suicide door” moniker) are electronically actuated via a discreet tab (by the B-pillar) and open/close at an almost fastidious pace. They operate with a tempered gravitas that is more becoming to the Purosangue than having it flung open (or slammed shut) in a fast and furious manner.
The first few Purosangue units have already been registered in Singapore, but it’s still a novelty. Even in New Zealand a few months ago, our convoy attracted plenty of attention from admirers and the authorities alike — although for the latter, it was not our fault.
Some brands use crossover all-rounders to drive sales volumes, but as far as the Purosangue is concerned, having the money doesn’t guarantee a seat at the table.
The novelty of being Ferrari’s “first crossover” aside, the initial allocation of the Purosangue is akin to the formula Rolex and Patek Philippe adopted for their coveted models — by invitation and as a “reward” to loyal owners.
The good news is that Ital Auto — the Ferrari AD in Singapore (and Malaysia) — is still taking expressions of interest for the Purosangue (accurate at the time of writing).
Lucky owners on their journey of discovery will quickly learn that this (pure) blood is thicker, flows faster, and is more furious than water.