Cars
Mythbusters: the four-door Ferrari
Myth busted: Ferraris are more practical than is often thought. Enzo Ferrari himself favoured a four-seater as his personal transport. The first was a 1960 250 GT 2+2 and, although the indefatigable Dino Tagliazucchi was his long-term chauffeur, Il Commendatore usually preferred to drive himself.
But he vetoed the idea of a four-door Ferrari, most notably when Pininfarina presented its elegant Pinin design study in 1980. Ferrari made coupes and sports cars, he reasoned, and focused on driver entertainment. End of discussion.
But he vetoed the idea of a four-door Ferrari, most notably when Pininfarina presented its elegant Pinin design study in 1980. Ferrari made coupes and sports cars, he reasoned, and focused on driver entertainment. End of discussion.
Click to see how Ferrari made a four door like no other
Things change, though, and Ferrari has lately advanced the idea of ‘different Ferraris for different Ferraristi’. That said, the company pointedly chose to sit it out until the technology arrived that would enable it to engineer a high-riding four-seater worthy of the Cavallino Rampante. The Purosangue is that car, and proof that a practical, full-size four-seater can deliver genuine Ferrari dynamism. On this car, the ‘when’ and ‘why’ are as important as the ‘how’.
Ferrari’s enormous expertise in aluminium provided an exemplary starting point. The Purosangue’s chassis is impressively light for a vehicle of these dimensions. It also has tremendous structural integrity. The body mixes aluminium, high tensile steel in critical areas, and also carbon fibre – most notably in the roof. It sits relatively high to deliver a useful ‘H’ point – so it’s easier to get in and out of – but not at the expense of the purposeful driving position Ferrari owners rightly demand.
Ferrari’s enormous expertise in aluminium provided an exemplary starting point. The Purosangue’s chassis is impressively light for a vehicle of these dimensions. It also has tremendous structural integrity. The body mixes aluminium, high tensile steel in critical areas, and also carbon fibre – most notably in the roof. It sits relatively high to deliver a useful ‘H’ point – so it’s easier to get in and out of – but not at the expense of the purposeful driving position Ferrari owners rightly demand.
Enzo Ferrari was a fan of 2+2 models – but cancelled the elegant 1980 Pinin four-door concept
That increased centre of gravity also presents dynamic challenges. Ferrari worked with technical partner Multimatic to create a formidable fully active suspension system for the Purosangue that uses ‘spool valve’ tech usually only seen in high-end motorsport.
These valves work in tandem with 48-volt electric motor actuators for a degree of body control and ride quality that is unprecedented in this sector. And driver interaction: the active suspension also uses accelerometers and sensors on each corner to interface with the car’s central dynamics ECU for maximum responsiveness. There are other benefits: it’s lighter and occupies less space than other active set-ups, and also means that the Purosangue doesn’t require anti-roll bars.
Handling is further optimised via a six-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor, and the Purosangue’s brake-by-wire system has been calibrated to account even for the low-grip surfaces it might find itself on. It feels and handles like a true Ferrari, its all-wheel drive system using a power take-off unit harnessed to a pair of clutches to bring the front wheels into play when needed. But it’s mostly rear-drive biased, for the playfulness that is another Ferrari signature.
These valves work in tandem with 48-volt electric motor actuators for a degree of body control and ride quality that is unprecedented in this sector. And driver interaction: the active suspension also uses accelerometers and sensors on each corner to interface with the car’s central dynamics ECU for maximum responsiveness. There are other benefits: it’s lighter and occupies less space than other active set-ups, and also means that the Purosangue doesn’t require anti-roll bars.
Handling is further optimised via a six-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor, and the Purosangue’s brake-by-wire system has been calibrated to account even for the low-grip surfaces it might find itself on. It feels and handles like a true Ferrari, its all-wheel drive system using a power take-off unit harnessed to a pair of clutches to bring the front wheels into play when needed. But it’s mostly rear-drive biased, for the playfulness that is another Ferrari signature.
Active suspension, V12, AWD… Purosangue is a four door like no other
The company has applied its hard-won know-how in other key areas. The Purosangue is notably aero-efficient for a vehicle of this type. What look like headlights are actually aero ducts, the slim-line LEDs beneath responsible for illuminating the way ahead. Air also flows through the ‘aero bridges’ that connect the bonnet to the base of the windscreen and the A pillars on either side.
The front bumper and wheelarch surrounds might look off-road oriented, but work together to create an air curtain that seals the front wheels, and tidies up the disruptive air flows in that area. Ferrari has also patented what it calls the ‘floating body’, which separates the top of the car from its more technical underbody. As ever, form and function are inter-related.
The front bumper and wheelarch surrounds might look off-road oriented, but work together to create an air curtain that seals the front wheels, and tidies up the disruptive air flows in that area. Ferrari has also patented what it calls the ‘floating body’, which separates the top of the car from its more technical underbody. As ever, form and function are inter-related.
A road trip to remember: Purosangue in New Zealand
Perhaps the most prominent feature on this car, though, are the rear-hinged back doors. Ferrari calls them ‘welcome doors’ and they open onto an interior that is very Ferrari despite the typology of the car. They’re electrically operated, and open and close via a little lever on the rear door. The design team favoured eliminating the B pillar, but in this instance the engineers’ requirement for class-leading chassis stiffness took precedence. This is the first Ferrari interior to feature four independently adjustable seats – with heated back rests and massage functionality. There’s enough space for four full-size adults to sit comfortably, and the rear compartment can swallow 473 litres.
All in all, then, this is a car that truly defies categorisation, not least when you remember that it’s powered by a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine. ‘We discussed this internally,’ Ferrari’s chief marketing and commercial officer Enrico Galliera says, ‘and came to the conclusion that the segment is called “Purosangue”.’
All in all, then, this is a car that truly defies categorisation, not least when you remember that it’s powered by a naturally aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine. ‘We discussed this internally,’ Ferrari’s chief marketing and commercial officer Enrico Galliera says, ‘and came to the conclusion that the segment is called “Purosangue”.’