PUROSANGUE: The Ferrari SUV

There are a few ways you could wow your old classmates at a high school reunion; show up in a blimp or SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket or even the BatMobile.

Or you could do something really outrageous.

Show up in Ferrari’s SUV, the Purosangue.

(source: drivetribe.com)

Due for release in 2022, it’s the Italian prancing horse’s answer to the likes of the Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Bentley Bentayga. The mega-power ‘super-SUV’ segment is getting more ‘mega’.

By the way, it’s pronounced “Pur-oh-SAHN-gway”.

Although not yet launched, some things are clear about the Ferrari SUV;

• Purosangue is Italian for “Thoroughbred” or “Pure blood”
• It’ll feature a low-mounted, front mid-engine layout
• It’ll be powered by V6 and V8 variants and hybrid options
• A possible top-trim option might include a V12
• Variable ground clearance
• Top-trim variants could see 1,000 (prancing) horsepower
• AWD system

Track or off-road?

“…the brand is much more familiar with building cars to punch down smooth tarmac and alpine highways rather than through sand and mud.”

You decide, sort of. Similarly to other super-SUVs, the ride-height adjustments will likely allow the Purosangue to be configured for a blast on the racetrack with Ferrari’s drive modes we’ve seen in other models.

But not so similar, at all, is using it as an SUV, something current-model Ferrari owners can’t brag about.

The Purosangue is set to have the ground clearance and an AWD system that allows it to tackle some off-roading. We’re picturing it punching through rural dirt roads in China – one of Ferrari’s biggest markets. However, stone chips wouldn’t be cheap.

• Ferrari saw 1,976 units shipped to Asia in 2020, second only to North America at 2,325.

(source: carbuzz.com)

Sports or luxury?

Sports, sort of. If you’re familiar with the premium leather and red highlights that Ferrari has been known for, you could acquire the Purosangue’s interior palette. It’s predicted that the interior might take inspiration from the Roma shown below.

(The Ferrari Roma might hint towards the Purosangue’s cabin. Source: caranddriver.com)

When configured, the relatively low ride height, especially noticeable in the wheel arches, also hints at racetrack, not dirt track.

As per Ferrari’s heritage, the brand is much more familiar with building cars to punch down smooth tarmac and alpine highways rather than through sand and mud.

Is Ferrari too late to the super-SUV party?

Probably not. Although competitors like the Lamborghini Urus have been selling since 2018, a long time in the car world, consumers are still in love with SUVs – and high performance ones. In fact, in Australia, SUVs inhaled 49.6% of the market during 2020, up from 45.5% in 2019.

Combining supercar performance in an SUV (hence the name ‘super-SUV’) has proven a winning formula.

Porsche’s SUV, the Cayenne, received screwed faces and head shaking when it was launched back in 2002. “A Porsche SUV!?!”, they exclaimed. But, the model quickly became one of the brand’s best sellers and was met by another SUV wearing a Porsche badge, the Macan. 

The Purosangue enters an SUV-loving market with stiff competition.

It’ll likely be a collector’s dream

The first ever SUV from Ferrari will probably be displayed at high-end car shows in decades to come. It might not look like it now, but these vehicle milestones from such respected manufacturers typically hold their value – or even increase in value.

The latter can be especially true for limited and top-trip versions.

Getting into the Ferrari SUV won’t be easy

“Even if you have the cash, you still might not be able to buy one.”

Like most vehicles of this calibre, it won’t be cheap. Estimates put entry-level pricing at around $400k.

It’ll likely cost at least that. Actually getting a Purosangue registered on the road could tip it well north of that figure. Then there’s optioning up which can push prices to the moon. For example, $68,000 for matte paint on the Ferrari 812 Superfast.

Even if you have the cash, you still might not be able to buy one.

It’s well known that buying a Ferrari isn’t an off-the-shelf situation. [Prospective] buyers are sometimes ‘not allowed’ to buy new examples and instead told to buy a used example, before being ‘invited’ to buy a new one from a showroom floor.

Ferrari, along with some other brands of the genre, do background checks to not only make sure buyers can afford one but also that they’re the ‘right type of person’. I.e., will reflect the brand’s image.

Some conditions include letting Ferrari know when you want to sell a vehicle and minimum ownership periods to prevent collector vehicles from being flipped for profit.

(Purosangue competitor, the Lamborghini Urus)

Also, if you’ve got one in your driveway, owning a Lamborghini doesn’t help getting your hands on the latest Ferrari products.

Of course, being a celebrity helps.

*header image source: autoevolution.com