Ferrari is in a bit of a sauce. It has to persuade the market and its loyal fans that the SUV is a good thing and that n/a engine is not. That is like persuading Americans that socialism works. Not impossible, but tough. And expensive.

So much so that Ferrari already had to announce that the Purosangue won't be a classic SUV (I don't know how Ferrari can reinvent the wheel, but let's see). Plus, it will probably feature a hybrid propulsion system in all its iterations.

That is the big question that burns through the Internet gearhead community. Right now, the word on the street is that the Purosangue engine bay can accept anything - a V-6, V-8, or even the V-12 - and any one of them could sport a hybrid system. Note that it could be scaled to offer a V-6, V-8, or V-12, all of which could be hybrid or non-hybrid.

The Ferrari Purosangue V-12 Is a Possibility, Most Likely With Electric Motor Assistance

The new Ferrari Purosangue should involve several exciting technological features that are likely to separate it from the conventionality of the SUV segment. Riding on the Ferrari next-generation modular platform, the Purosangue, or the 175, as it is internally known, should bring to the play a few important novelties.

First of all, it will have a front-mid-engine setup. That means that the engine will completely sit behind the front axle. It will be closer to occupants which also means it will sound biblical. This piece of information promises one more thing. The Ferrari Purosangue will have a long and dominating bonnet. After all, this new Ferrari platform can accept anything - from a small V-6, to a real deal like the n/a V-12.

There is an apparent underlying problem here, though. Ferrari has to comply with the emissions standards in Europe and the rest of the world as well. It is a problem for a V-12. A big one, especially when Euro 7 rules and regulations kick in in 2020. For now, Ferrari managed to keep the V-12 from disappearing.

That is why I think the one destined for the Ferrari Project 175 (Purosangue) will have a few electric motors to help it. It won't be as loud as previous Ferrari V-12 engines, either.

In a recent interview with Top Gear, Michael Leiters, Chief Technical Officer at Ferrari said that "we will fight for this engine. We have good ideas for its development. We now have Euro 6 regulations, which forced us to put a particulate filter on the GTS, and there are general emissions and CO2 targets especially for places like China and the United States.”

Furthermore, he commented on the iconic sound the V-12 produces:

“The regulations that arrived one and a half years ago are very challenging for us because it’s not only about the level of noise, but the way you measure it is much stricter. This is definitely something that we have to consider as a challenge for the V-12."

All in all, we will have the V-12 in one shape or another for at least ten more years. However, don't think for a second that the one in the Purosangue will sound the same as the one in the F12 tdf or the 812 GTS.

With all of this said, I think that the Purosangue will arrive in a few different guises:

-* base Purosangue with the new V-6, turbocharged, gasoline engine

-* Purosangue V-8 with a hybrid propulsion system somewhat similar to what we have seen in the SF90 Stradale

-* Purosangue V-12 with a possible hybrid system

It is still too early to discuss the power or the capabilities of a future Ferrari SUV, but as I know that you like numbers, I will say that I expect the least powerful Purosangue to come with a 600-horsepower, gasoline engine.

Conclusion

All in all, some Ferrari officials did say that the company managed to keep the V-12 alive after the Euro 6 regulations kicked thanks to the integration of particulate filters. The same people also said that to keep the V-12 alive in the future, it would have to sport some electric assistance. That will limit its emissions by effectively limiting its use.

The Ferrari Purosangue SUV, with its large hood, elevated driving position, and, presumably, dimensions similar to those of the Urus, seems like a perfect platform for such a propulsion system.

If Ferrari indeed offers the Purosangue SUV with a V-12 engine, it will have the edge over its most significant competitor at Lamborghini - the Urus. The other important competitor will be the Aston Martin DBX. If it receives Aston Martin's 5.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V-12, that is.

Further reading

Read our full speculative review on the 2020 Ferrari Purosangue.