Ferrari has revealed details of its first ever four-wheel drive model. The Pininfarina-designed FF (meaning four seats and four-wheel drive) is billed as the Italian manufacturer’s fastest four-seater ever and uses a front-mounted 6.2-litre direct injection V12 engine, producing 651bhp at 8,000rpm and 504lb ft of torque at 6,000rpm, mated to a transaxle dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift gearbox.
At 4.9m and 1,790kg the FF is fractionally longer and lighter than the outgoing 612 Scaglietti four-seater, and 3.5cm taller, too. Ferrari says it will accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 208mph.
The FF uses Ferrari’s HELE system, first shown on the California, which includes Stop&Start technology and helps the new supercar achieve a Combined fuel economy figure of 18.3mpg, along with a CO2 figure of 360g/km.
Ferrari’s 4RM four-wheel drive hardware weighs 50 per cent less than a conventional set‑up, while maintaining near perfect 47:53 weight distribution. According to Ferrari, it delivers record levels of performance on all terrains and all conditions via continuous and intelligent predictive torque distribution to all four wheels”.
Rather than proper off-roading, however, FF owners will be able to use their cars on “low grip or snow-covered surfaces”, as well as more conventional Ferrari territory such as on the track and in city driving.
The FF will also have carbon-ceramic brakes and a “magnetorheological” adaptive damping system, as featured on Ferrari’s 458 Italia.
Maranello’s latest is promised to offer levels of passenger space, comfort and equipment previously unheard of for a car of this kind.
With four seats and a 450-litre boot it will, says Ferrari, “comfortably accommodate four people and their luggage”. Prices and further details will be announced when the FF makes its official debut at March’s Geneva motor show.
