Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2011, the Ferrari FF's debut generated scores of headlines, its presence capturing the attention of press and show-goers alike. Like it or love it – is there a certain decimal point past which a humble station wagon becomes an elegant shooting brake? – Maranello's latest offering makes a polarizing statement.
Touted as the replacement for the aging 612 Scaglietti, the 2+2 FF (for Ferrari Four referring to four seats and four-wheel drive) is so much more than that. It represents some groundbreaking innovations for the prancing horse–the most important being its patented four-wheel-drive system. Ferrari claims this system (known as 4RM or Route Motorize translates to 4-wheel drive in Italian) is 50 percent lighter than a conventional setup and maintains a rear-biased 47/53 weight distribution.
It's the first all-wheel drive vehicle produced by the venerable Italian brand, and probably the closest concession to practicality this maker of highly desirable exotic sports cars has ever made.
But it's not the trick new 4RM system that's garnered the lion's share of attention. Let's face it, to the Ferrari faithful, the very idea of a four-seater bearing even a whiff of station wagon is tantamount to sacrilege. And yet, this isn't Ferrari's first foray into the shooting brake layout; the Pininfarina-penned 365 GTB/4 introduced in 1968 has since become an icon of design.
The 2012 Ferrari FF's existence is no doubt partly in response to the expanded practicality offered by the Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera. It offers positively voluminous interior space for a Ferrari: 450 litres (or 16 cu ft) with the rear seats up, and a cavernous 800 litres (28 cu ft) with them down. The cabin is replete with luxurious trimmings, with a choice of six colours and the use of high-tech materials. All four bucket seats are formed from lightweight magnesium and upholstered in rich leather that's been specially enhanced for softness. Entertainment technology includes a rear-seat infotainment system with dual screens for both DVD and TV and a 16-channel, 1,280-watt surround-sound stereo system.
And once you get past the unusual appearance (the Panamera was the recipient of equally mixed first impressions) it becomes apparent that the FF is a Ferrari first and foremost.
The Pininfarina design is built around an all-new aluminum spaceframe, with a front clip that's virtually lifted from the 458 Italia. Under that long sculpted hood sits a reworked version of Ferrari's glorious 6.0-litre V12, producing a colossal 651 horsepower with 504 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to the same F1-derived seven-speed, dual-shift transmission found in the California and 458 Italia.
The FF can blast from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 330 km/h. Equally important are the new lighter and longer-lasting carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes at each corner to haul it back in. Fuel consumption is reportedly 15.4 litres/100 km which, given the FF's overall weight of 1,790 kg (3,946 lbs) and prodigious power, isn't at all bad.
The patented four-wheel drive system employs a secondary gearbox, which draws power from the engine, transmitting it to each of the four wheels when needed. Integrated with the car's electronic systems, the 4RM adapts to provide optimum grip whether on snow or dry pavement. Ferrari's latest iteration of its magnetorheological damper system (SCM3) should ensure the most supple and sinewy body control.
The 2012 Ferrari FF has both fans and detractors, and yet its entire first production run of 800 vehicles has already sold out–before it ever hit the showroom floor.
By Lesley Wimbush,
Auto123
