Purosangue. Ferrari have confirmed that that would be the name of their upcoming "SUV". And while "PURR - oh - SAAHN - gway" (the way its pronounced) doesn't quite roll off the tongue as easily as Lamborghini Urus or Porsche Cayenne, Ferrari has assured buyers - and Ferraristas - that the Ferrari Purosangue will be every bit a Ferrari, after all, its name translates directly to 'thoroughbred'.
The Purosangue, which is expected to hit showrooms in only 2022, will apparently be available with either a regular combustion engine (likely V8 and V12), or a hybridized powerplant. And much like a true sports car, it will ride on Ferrari’s new Front Mid-Engine Architecture and feature a front-mid mounted engine layout, in other words, the motor will be mounted behind the front axle. The transmission – a dual clutch unit – will be mounted at the rear. Also set to the located at the rear will be a hybrid system – available on certain models – that will transfer a power electric boost to the rear wheels.
Despite many referring to it as an SUV, Ferrari has shot down the term, with its CEO, Louis Camilleri referring to it as a “a four-door utility vehicle” or a crossover. In fact, the all-wheel drive Purosangue (seen in this render) will feature a coupe-inspired shape and will not be as tall as the Lamborghini Urus, suggesting it will be very un-SUV-like. Either way, it is said that it will comfortably accommodate four passengers, and be the first ever five-door Ferrari in its 71 year history.
Ferrari CEO, Louis Camilleri, said: “As a die-hard Ferrarista, I was a tad skeptical when the concept was first voiced at the board. Having now seen the wonderful design concept and the extraordinary features, and knowing the resources we have dedicated to bringing this vehicle to life, I am a hugely enthusiastic supporter.”
The Purosangue was originally earmarked for a release in 2020, however, this has been pushed back to 2022, as the Italian sports car maker wants to make sure they get it 100 percent right. It forms part of a massive new model assault – 15 models – that will be unleashed by the Maranello-based company over the next 5 years.
Also worth a look: the Ferrari F80: Where Retro Design Meets Futuristic Fury and the V6-powered Ferrari 296 GTB revealed.
FAQ
Q: What does the Ferrari Purosangue cost in South Africa?
The Ferrari Purosangue is expected to start around R6,500,000 in South Africa when it arrives, though final local pricing hasn't been confirmed yet since it's still in development.
Q: Is the Ferrari Purosangue worth buying?
If you've got R6.5 million burning a hole in your pocket and want the only proper four-door Ferrari ever made, then absolutely, but you'll be paying a massive premium for that prancing horse badge compared to rivals like the Lamborghini Urus.
Q: What engine does the Ferrari Purosangue have?
The Purosangue will offer both V8 and V12 naturally aspirated engines, plus hybrid variants with electric boost systems mounted at the rear for extra performance.
Q: When will the Ferrari Purosangue be available in South Africa?
The Purosangue is expected to hit South African showrooms sometime in 2023, having been delayed from its original 2020 launch date.
Q: How does the Ferrari Purosangue compare to the Lamborghini Urus?
The Purosangue will be lower and more coupe-like than the Urus, with Ferrari's signature front-mid engine layout instead of the Urus's front-mounted V8, making it more sports car than SUV.
Should You Buy It?
The Ferrari Purosangue at around R6,500,000 is for buyers who absolutely must have a Ferrari badge on their family hauler and don't mind paying roughly R2 million more than a Lamborghini Urus for the privilege. If you're after the most exclusive four-door supercar in South Africa and money is no object, then yes, buy it, but for everyone else, the Urus offers similar performance for significantly less cash. The Purosangue will be the ultimate bragging rights purchase, but it's definitely not the sensible choice in the luxury SUV space.
