Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the iconic Italian exotic carmaker that bears his name, purportedly vowed never to produce a four-door car. But in a shifting market where nearly 80% of vehicles purchased in America are now trucks, vans, and SUVs, even a venerable brand must adapt. Thus, Ferrari has just unveiled its first four-door, four-seat, four-wheel-drive vehicle. And though it doesn’t call it an SUV, that’s exactly what the $400,000 (estimated base price) Purosangue is.
Winging from the brand’s prancing horse Cavallino logo, the car’s name means thoroughbred in Italian. And with a rousing, 717-horsepower, V12 engine housed in its sharply angled snout, it should deliver on that promise, besting performance from recent competitors like the Aston Martin DBX 707, and the Lamborghini Urus Performante. As the only vehicle in this set with a naturally aspirated (nonturbo) V12, it is certain to do so with a sonorous wail. (A hybrid version, incorporating the powertrain from other existing Ferraris, like the 296 GTB or perhaps the SF90 Stradale, seems likely in the near future.)
The overall shape of the Purosangue is muscular and alluring, and very much in the clean, gorgeous idiom of current offerings like the brand’s Roma grand tourer. In order to maintain a smooth, uninterrupted sports car-like side profile, the Purosangue features integrated, rear-hinge “suicide” doors. These aid in rear passenger access, while keeping the overall wheelbase shorter, for a sportier appearance and sharper handling characteristics while driving. And the Purosangue presents a new interior concept, one without a central infotainment screen: just one for the driver (with integrated Apple CarPlay) and one for the passenger.
As Ferrari’s first entry into this vehicle category, the Purosangue promises to captivate the market. However, Ferrari has made it clear that this car is not meant to eclipse its sports car offerings, which more closely adhere to its glorious heritage. Ever iconoclastic and fiercely protective of brand identity, Ferrari says it will limit production of the Purosange to under 20% of overall sales. If it hasn’t sold out its first year’s production allotment already, we predict it will very soon.
