Words: Violet
The new Ferrari FF is a car worth getting excited about. Sam Swan takes it for a spin…
Upon my arrival in Maranello, in North Italy, I was invited for dinner with Dr. Stefano Lai, Head of Communications at Ferrari. Over dinner I asked Dr. Lai his opinion as to what made a Ferrari such a special car. He replied: “Ferraris are like champagne. You cannot take Champagne grapes and just grow them anywhere and make Champagne. The same applies to Ferrari. The mountainous terrain to the South East of Maranello is the heart and soul of where our cars come from. If you took Ferrari away from Maranello, Ferrari would not be the same.”
When I drove up into the mountains above Maranello I realized that no truer words could have been spoken. I was at the wheel of a brand new Ferrari FF. The FF is Ferrari’s first ever production four-wheel drive car. Power is provided by a 651bhp 6.3-litre V12 engine, which is a development of that used in the Enzo and 599 GTB. The FF’s wheelbase is 40mm longer than the 612 Scaglietti that it replaces, which significantly increases cabin space meaning that it is extremely practical. It’s a car that you would quite happily drive long distances in, whether it’s over to Meribel for a weekend of skiing, or up to Scotland for a weekend’s shooting. Either way, you’ll be able to fit all your kit in the boot.
It’s not animalistic in the lower gears, but when you reach third and above it is bloody fantastic and roars out that deep gargling grunt that we’ve come to expect from a Ferrari. It’s a distinctive sound that sends a shiver up your spine every time you drop your foot.
Unlike a conventional four-wheel drive system, there is no centre differential. Instead, for the majority of the time the FF is effectively a regular rear-wheel-drive car, with the power directed to the back wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. When drive is required at the front axle, when you are charging up a mountain road for example, power is taken directly from the engine into a second gearbox to give the added umph that is required.
Ferrari have also built in an electronic spedometer and rev-counter into the dash on the passenger side. But don’t worry – the display can be turned off if the ‘donna bella’ sitting next to you is finding the experience a little too much…
The FF truly is a fantastic car. Not only is it stunning to look at, it drives like a dream. The only problem is that it could spoil you for life. Once you’ve been behind the wheel of one, an ordinary car just won’t make the cut.
For more information visit ferrari.com
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