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November 18, 2022
The Purosangue Arrives in Japan—Ferrari Japan President Explains Why It's Not an SUV | Ferrari
Ferrari Purosangue | The Ferrari Purosangue
Federico Pastorelli, President of Ferrari Japan, Discusses the Purosangue's Novelty
The Japan premiere of the Purosangue, Ferrari's first four-door, four-seater model, was held on November 8th at Ninnaji Temple, a prominent ancient temple in Kyoto, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the venue, we had the opportunity to speak with Federico Pastorelli, President of Ferrari Japan, and report on the Purosangue, incorporating his insights.
Text by YAMAGUCHI Koichi | Photographs by Ferrari Japan
Experience Ferrari's Passion on Any Road
The Purosangue is generally drawing attention as Ferrari's first SUV. The full four-seater, four-door body, boasting the most spacious cabin in Ferrari's history, measures 4,973mm in length, 2,028mm in width, and has a wheelbase of 3,018mm. All dimensions are larger than those of the Porsche Cayenne. While its height is about 100mm lower than the Cayenne's, it is a remarkable 200mm taller than the Ferrari GTC4Lusso, which garnered attention as a four-wheel-drive, full four-seater model despite being a two-door.
However, the term "SUV" is entirely absent from the Purosangue's press release. When we specifically asked Mr. Pastorelli if this car was an SUV, the answer was indeed "No."
"The Purosangue is, above all, a sports car. It possesses the same Ferrari DNA as our previous models. However, with its four-door, four-seater configuration, it has some distinct characteristics. It's a new model that can accommodate four people and allows them to enjoy the Ferrari passion, unchanged from previous models, on any road condition."
"With the Purosangue, you can enjoy a spacious and comfortable cabin not only for daily city driving but also on gravel roads, snowy paths, or in the countryside, with your family," said Mr. Pastorelli. If he were the owner, he would want to go skiing in Hokkaido with his family.
On the other hand, he also mentioned that the development team made no compromises to uphold Ferrari's DNA.
"The name Purosangue, which means 'thoroughbred' in Italian, itself signifies that it inherits Ferrari's DNA."
A symbol of this is the newly developed 6,496cc V12 engine. This unit, an evolution of the V12 found in the 2002 Enzo Ferrari, boasts an output of 725cv at 7,750rpm and 716Nm of torque at 6,250rpm, while also offering the flexibility to deliver 80% of its maximum torque at 2,000rpm.
This iconic power unit is mounted low in the front-mid position, and a transaxle system integrates an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission with the rear differential. Furthermore, a unique four-wheel-drive system, combining a Power Transfer Unit (PTU) similar to that of the GTC4Lusso in front of the engine to drive the front wheels, achieves a front-to-rear weight distribution of 49:51. Mr. Pastorelli's mention of Ferrari's DNA is evident in these aspects.