Ferrari Purosangue Review: Prancing Off-Road

The Purosangue has an interesting origin story – one that I had the privilege to witness first-hand. Ferrari, after denying for years that they were developing an ‘SUV’, finally invited us to Maranello in September 2022 to witness a global product reveal. While rumours were rife that this new product was an ‘SUV’, I had other reasons to be excited. You see, it was the first time that I had the opportunity to visit the Ferrari factory, the home of the Prancing Horse. Moreover, I was one of the select few in the world to witness the unveiling of a brand-new Ferrari.

Of course, like most recent Ferrari unveilings, the reveal of the Purosangue was also a very low-key event, shrouded in secrecy. Only a handful of people were invited to the event, and we were even asked to deposit our phones to prevent any premature leaks of the vehicle before the embargo was lifted. We were also told rather emphatically that the Purosangue is not an SUV (now you know why the word SUV was in quotes earlier in the story) and is definitely not meant for off-roading. This begs the question – why build a vehicle in this body style?

Well, I travelled to Dubai and experienced the Purosangue first-hand to discover its intended purpose and its target audience. 

Ferrari Purosangue Review: Pure Theatre

Now, not only were we explicitly told what the Purosangue was not – well, an SUV – but also what it actually was – the first production four-door, four-seater Ferrari ever made. The name Purosangue, meaning ‘thoroughbred’ and commonly associated with horses, cleverly aligns with Ferrari’s iconic Prancing Horse. As for the design of the Purosangue, opinions seem to diverge in two distinct camps. Traditional Ferrari enthusiasts may cry sacrilege, viewing it as a departure from the marque’s established aesthetics. However, younger buyers are likely to find it very attractive. Having had the opportunity to observe the car in a closed room and then on the road in various colour schemes, I think the Purosangue’s design is absolutely terrific.

At the front, the integration of the grille into the bumper lends the Purosangue a futuristic appearance that immediately catches the eye. What’s particularly striking, however, is the presence of the multitude of vents and aerodynamic elements that have been integrated into the design. The headlights, almost hidden until you turn them on in the dark, add an element of surprise and an air of mystery.

Similarly, at the rear, you immediately notice the wide rear haunches – which not only give the Purosangue a very wide stance but also add to its imposing road presence and sense of dominance – and more aerodynamic aids on the lower part of the bumper.

Yet, my personal favourite aspect of the Purosangue’s design lies in the profile view. Ferrari’s designers have masterfully concealed the Purosangue’s considerable length of almost five metres, achieving impeccable proportions that belie its size. The bulging rear wheel arches and the sweeping roofline further accentuate its visual appeal. Paired with the massive 22-inch front and 23-inch rear wheels, the Purosangue exudes an undeniable sense of elegance.

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Another highlight of the Purosangue is its unique door design. The wide opening created by the rear-hinged coach style rear doors not only allows easy access to the cabin but also adds a touch of theatricality. Combined with the clamshell-style bonnet, the sight of all four doors and the bonnet open (as you can see in the images here) presents a visual spectacle that’s simply breathtaking.

Adding to the car’s allure are the various carbon fibre pieces that are strategically placed in the wheel arches, under the door sills, and within both air dams. Left unpainted for better noticeability, each piece serves a specific aerodynamic purpose and has been meticulously fine-tuned by the engineers for optimal performance.

Inside the Purosangue, you’ll find four large seats capable of accommodating large adults in comfort. Interestingly, the Purosangue will only be offered as a four-seater, with a centre console between the rear seats. Unlike other Ferrari products, the Purosangue doesn’t have a central touchscreen and features very few physical controls on the dash and the centre console.

Instead, most of the functions are operated via the steering wheel-mounted physical buttons. There’s also an option for a second screen mounted in front of the front passenger. Thankfully, the HVAC controls are still accessible through a physical rotary controller, which elegantly emerges from the dash upon touch.

Ferrari Purosangue Review: Flawless Engineering

Of course, the pièce de résistance of any Ferrari is the engine, and the Purosangue is no exception. The moment you lift the bonnet, you are greeted by a sight of sheer magnificence – the engine is mounted far back in the chassis, with its placement extending to somewhere below the front windscreen. This 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 unit is a powerhouse, which produces 715bhp and 716Nm of torque and even revs to a heady 8,250rpm. Pushing the starter button on the steering elicits a beautiful V12 exhaust note, which is significantly amplified when you switch to Sport or Race mode.

It would be an understatement to say that the Purosangue is a delight to drive. The V12 is creamy smooth, the new 8-speed gearbox is flawless, and the acceleration is simply breathtaking. This is also partly due to the fact that despite the large size, big engine, and all-wheel drive hardware, Ferrari engineers have managed to maintain a relatively low kerb weight of 2,033kgs. The performance, of course, is nothing short of stellar, with a 0 – 200km/h sprint time of just 10.6 seconds. Regardless of the speed, the Purosangue never fails to impress, and if you are liberal with the throttle, delivering an exhilarating driving experience.

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During my trip to Dubai, I had the opportunity to drive another Ferrari alongside the Purosangue, which led to two interesting observations. Firstly, compared to Ferrari’s typical sports cars, the Purosangue is a bit relaxed in its demeanour. The steering is not as razor sharp but still sharp enough, and there is a sense of smoothness and calmness in the driving experience. What I mean to say is the sports cars exude a gruff, raw feel and are super aggressive to drive. Given that the Purosangue has been designed to cover hundreds of kilometres in a day, this relaxed attitude makes sense and feels more fitting for the car.

Secondly, at Pursoangue’s world debut, Ferrari engineers explained how they found air suspension systems to be too slow, which led them to create the world’s first active suspension technology. This system pairs a hydraulic shock absorber with an electric motor to enable super-quick adjustments to the suspension to deal with varying road conditions. However, despite all this tech wizardry and Dubai’s excellent roads, the ride quality felt quite fidgety. So, how this new technology will fare on Indian roads is something that would be interesting to see.

Ferrari Purosangue Review: The Dream

While owning a Purosangue would be a dream for most – it’s certainly for me, but I can’t afford it – let’s keep that sensible cap aside and consider what it would be like to have one. Well, honestly speaking, I like the fact that it’s an unusual-looking Ferrari – which, according to me, looks great. Its distinctive and striking appearance is sure to turn heads wherever you go. Secondly, its practicality makes outings with friends or family a breeze. And those unique doors will ensure that you make a grand entrance every time, commanding attention regardless of the occasion. What’s more, it offers an amazing driving experience – with its all-wheel-drive system and exceptional performance, there are few places that you can’t reach. Lastly, it is powered by a naturally aspirated V12 engine – what’s not to like about that?

If I ever win the lottery, the Purosangue would undoubtedly be the first modern Ferrari that I would place an order for. I can even imagine using it as my daily driver. Now, that’s a dream I can live with!