2012 Ferrari FF

The FF plays around in the snow

Exterior and Interior

Designed by Pininfarina, the new Ferrari FF features a shooting brake-like body style, with a front design clearly inspired by the 458 Italia and a large rear hatch. According to Ferrari the new model can comfortably accommodate four people and their luggage, thanks to the best cabin space and boot capacity (450 liters, but up to 800 when rear seats are down).

Now since this is a Ferrari, many people aren’t too optimistic about the rear room available, but Ferrari has stated that the FF will offer ample room for up to four people. They even went as far as to specify that the measurements for the front and rear are 1.95 and 1.85 meters, so accommodating tall passengers won’t be a problem. There will also be a new infotainment system with dual 5-inch screen on the instrument panel, center dash touch screen and an optional third screen positioned in front of the passenger, displaying speed, rpm and gear.

Ferrari will offer a vast array of personalization options and accessories, including six model-specific exterior colors - Scuderia Rosso Corsa, Avorio, Bianco, Blue Dubai, Blue California, Nero, Hanus Gold, Marrone, Blue Tour de France, Rosso Rubino, Grigio Silverstone, Rosso Mugello, Verde Zeltweg, Giallo Modena - and sumptuous interior trim incorporating specially selected and treated aniline leather.

Engine

Under the hood, there is a 6,262 cc direct injection V12 engine that delivers an impressive 660 HP at 8,000 rpm and a peak torque of 503 lbs-ft 6,000 rpm. With this impressive power, the FF will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and will hit a top speed of 208 mph.

Combined with a transaxle dual-clutch F1 gearbox, the engine has a fuel economy of 15,4 l/100 km, the equivalent of a CO2 emission of 360 g/km. The weight-to-power ratio is impressive for this section of market: 2.7 kg/CV. With this impressive output under the hood the FF will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and will be capable of a top speed of 208 mph.

A first ever for a Ferrari model is the new four-wheel drive system (4RM). It weighs 50% less than a conventional four-wheel drive system, maintaining perfect weight distribution (53% over the rear axle). Completely integrated with the car’s electronic dynamic control systems, the four-wheel drive technology delivers record levels of performance on all terrains and in all conditions via continuous and intelligent predictive torque distribution to all four wheels. The FF is also equipped with the latest magnetorheological damping system (SCM3), as well as the most recent development in carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo.

When Can I Buy One?

Now that the prototype FF has made its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari will start preparing the production version. However, we don’t expect it to go on sale before the end of 2012. Rumors say the price will be in the $700K area.

Competition

The current market doesn’t offer much in the shooting-brake coupe department, but there are lots of four-door GTs out there: the Porsche Panamera, the Maserati Quattroporte, and the Mercedes-Benz CLS->Maserati Quattroporte are just a few. Of course, this is a totally different car market, with completely different buyers. Not to mention all of them are less powerful and much cheaper than the FF. The only upperhand the FF has is that it is a Ferrari. That carries major pull in the auto market.

 Four-wheel-drive system
 V12 engine
 Front looks much better than on the current 612

 Shooting brake body
 That large rear hatch simply doesn’t fit
 Looks like a Ferrari mated with a station wagon

Check out Fifth Gear’s Tiff Needell as he reviews the Ferrari FF