Purosangue is the Ferrari of crossovers

FERRARI has pulled the covers off its first-ever four-door model, the Purosangue. Yes, it’s a crossover, and yes, it enters a highly profitable market segment that will keep the Italian marque cash-flush enough to keep producing the sports cars that it is renowned for. Win-win?

And this is still very much a Ferrari at heart. Unlike the SUVS of some other performance marques, the Purosangue doesn’t share a platform with SUVS from other brands. This is certainly no Maserati Levante in drag. Underpinning the four-door Ferrari is a completely new chassis, whose lower section is made entirely of aluminium.

Providing the necessary fireworks is a front-mid-mounted, 6 496cc normally aspirated V12 engine, which produces 533kw at 7 750rpm and 716Nm at 6 250rpm. Expect it to prance from 0-100km/h in just 3.3 seconds and to 200 in 10.6s, while the top speed is listed at 310km/h.

Power goes to all four wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, and not only does this vehicle boast a “perfect” 49:51% weight distribution but it has some pretty impressive chassis technology. Ferrari is claiming a world first with its Multimatic active suspension system, which combines electric motor actuation with a high-precision spool valve hydraulic damper into one fully integrated system.

Enhancing its agility even further is an evolution of the four-wheel steering system found in the Gtc4lusso.

Of course, this is the first truly practical car that Ferrari has ever produced.

The carmaker claims its new crossover will accommodate four adults comfortably, with each occupant getting to enjoy heated sports bucket seats. Rear seat occupants enter Rolls-royce style through rear-hinged doors. Oh, and the 473-litre boot is the biggest ever in a Ferrari. The cockpit takes inspiration from the SF90 Stradale, featuring digital

interfaces in front of the driver and front passenger. Occupants are also treated to a Burmester 3D premium

surround sound system, which is fitted as standard, and the front seats have a massage function.