In creating its very first SUV, Ferrari could have easily done what most of its rivals have done and given the Purosangue one of its twin-turbocharged engines, like the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 of the SF90 Stradale or perhaps the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 of the 296 GTB. Instead, it opted for its famous 6.5-liter naturally-aspirated V12 and in the process, has created a premium SUV truly unlike any other on the market.
While plenty of fortunate journalists around the world have already had the chance to put the Purosangue through its paces, last week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was one of the first times when the public could see it in all of its glory. To say it put on a show for attendees would be an understatement.
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Throughout the course of the weekend, there was a bright red Purosangue that did plenty of runs up and down the famous hillclimb. Not only does it look incredibly fast and remains remarkably flat when pushed at high speed through corners but the 6.5-liter V12 sounds absolutely amazing. It’s hardly a surprise then that demand for the Purosangue “exploded” when Ferrari confirmed the presence of a V12 just prior to its unveiling last year.
This engine is good for 715 hp and 528 lb-ft (716 Nm) of torque and revs to an epic 8,250 rpm. The engine is then coupled to an all-wheel drive system with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, allowing the SUV to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.3 seconds and won’t stop accelerating until it reaches 193 mph (310 km/h).
Ferrari is expected to sell the Purosangue with different engine options at a later date, potentially including a V6 and V8. It is also highly likely that a plug-in hybrid version will be added to the range in the not-too-distant future.