Expected to be the world’s fastest SUV when it launches in early 2022, the 300km/h-plus Ferrari Purosangue is tipped to be powered by a stonking 600kW (800hp) V12 petrol engine.
The all-wheel drive Ferrari wagon will feature height-adjustable suspension, allowing for mild off-road sojourns or ground-hugging, high-velocity blasts, and is sure to send Ferrari’s share price soaring as well.
Purists are none too keen on the new model, arguing it dilutes Ferrari’s sports car DNA, but the supercar marque’s accountants are surely rubbing their hands together as the prancing horse version of the Porsche Cayenne is set to deliver a massive increase in revenue.
New details uncovered by Car Magazine in the UK claim the Ferrari Purosangue will also offer a less potent but more efficient 522kW V8 hybrid version after the V12 flagship is established in the marketplace.
Understood to be a development of the Ferrari SF90 Stradale’s V8 hybrid powertrain, which can sing to the tune of 735kW, the Purosangue’s electrified set-up won’t sound as menacing as the V12 but is designed to adhere to stricter emissions regulations and move Ferrari with the times as various countries and individual jurisdictions prepare to ban internal combustion engines later this decade.
The Ferrari SUV is also expected to get suicide-style rear opening doors to improve access to the rear seats while adding a touch of exotic flair to the vehicle.
Beyond the Purosangue (read: thoroughbred) name, Ferrari has released precious little official information on the new model, but has been careful to avoid the term SUV.
The design of the new model is understood to be influenced by shooting brake vehicles and these images created by KDesign provide one possible direction.
According to the UK press, Ferrari will expand its SUV range to include two further models – both smaller, more agile machines that will be pure EVs and are expected on sale in 2024 and 2026 respectively.
With Lotus set to unleash its first SUV soon and the likes of Lamborghini and Aston Martin already jumping on the SUV bandwagon, McLaren seems to be the only hold-out, insisting it will never build an SUV.
Now where have we heard that before?