PURE-BRED OR SACRILEGE?
Ferrari’s tongue-twisting SUV is here, writes Brenwin Naidu, but what will the purists think?
Some years ago Ferrari’s local handlers struck us off their list. We had politely declined a request to allow them to read a feature we did on their Carrozzeria before publication. Carrozzeria is their body shop and the story, tying in with the month of February, was about labours of love in restoring pranged prancing horses to their original state.
“Controlling the narrative” is normal for any brand, but some take it too far. So you can imagine that the spin doctors at the Maranello brand must be overwhelmed by the kind of commentary released in the wake of its newest reveal: the controversial Purosangue sport-utility vehicle.
Apparently the correct pronounciation is “pu-row-sung-way”, which means “thoroughbred” or “full-blooded” when translated directly from Italian to English.
It was inevitable that Ferrari would go the sport-utility vehicle route, even though the automaker appeared to have dug its heels in the firmest when pressed. The thing about the internet is that every utterance lives on for eternity. You can go online and find quotes from late former CEO Sergio Marchionne about not contributing to the segment, then saying the concept would be considered after all. This week Ferrari’s current boss, Benedetto Vigna, was reported as saying that the Purosangue isn’t an SUV — it’s a Ferrari.
Maserati, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce and Bentley are among prestige brands that have hopped aboard the SUV train, enjoying commercial success on the back of their offerings despite criticisms from purists.
And you can bet the Purosangue will likely face the same fate, even if ardent fans hold on to the idea that such an offering devalues the overall pedigree and exclusivity of the brand.
Visually, the Pursoangue gives the impression of a GTC4 Lusso that’s planning to go hiking. It’s hard to describe it as beautiful or appealing in the way more conventional sports cars from the automaker are. Power comes from a 6,496cc, V12 engine producing 533kW and 716Nm. The 0-100km/h sprint time is claimed to be 3.3 seconds, while top speed is 310km/h. An eight-speed, dualclutch transmission is on duty.
According to Ferrari, the vehicle’s chassis is completely new, reliant on high-strength aluminium alloy, and lighter than any previous Ferrari four-seaters. Also worth noting is the inclusion of rear-hinged back doors, which the company says is a nod to the bonnet opening of the Ferrari Monza SP1.
Hill descent control is a first for Ferrari. In addition, the Purosangue boasts a fourwheel-drive system that incorporates elements from the setup in the SF90 Stradale, as well as the 4WS system from the 812 Competizione.
Ferrari describes the cabin as an elegant, sporty lounge. The driver’s cockpit takes inspiration from the SF90 Stradale, while the passenger benefits from their own 10.2-inch display screen. Each of the four seats are individually adjustable. There was great emphasis on sustainability in terms of interior development. The fabric roof-lining is recycled polyester, the carpet is made from polyamide recycled from fishing nets and a new type of recycled Alcantara also debuts.
• Local arrival date to be confirmed.