Purosangue gains Handling Speciale upgrade
'Even sportier driving experience' promised from new bits for V12 four-door
Back in the day, the handling packages offered by Ferrari for its V12s were well worth having. Think HGTE 599s, HGTS Scagliettis, Fiorano Handling Pack 575s and so on. Usually focused on springs, dampers, wheels and anti roll bars, they tended to sharpen up the dynamics of the front-engined super GTs without entirely abandoning the usability. Definitely desirable in period, and arguably even more so now - this 575 is one of just 39 RHD cars specced with it new, and is for sale at £159,995…
Anyway, that’s all of interest because there’s a new Ferrari handling pack, now for the Purosangue. Which might not feel like the most obvious thing to add, because the ‘high-riding sports car’ drives with such poise and panache already, but here we are. Those that now want a Purosangue Handling Speciale can now have one, along with all the other options.
As is tradition, the V12 continues unchanged, with attention instead paid to the semi-active Multimatic suspension - a new calibration promises a 10 per cent reduction in body movements - as well as some design changes. There are new diamond cut wheels, carbon shields, a black Prancing Horse on the boot instead of a silver one and a new plaque inside. Those that need to know you have a Purosangue HS will know you have a Purosangue HS, which wasn’t always the case with these dynamic kits.
Interestingly, too, while there’s no more power from the mighty V12, there have been changes introduced to the shift strategies of the eight-speed DCT. So in Race and ESC-Off (not the school run modes, basically), changes are said to be ‘more decisive’, with manual shifts above 5,500rpm offering ‘a sharper sensation of thrust’. Given Ferrari’s dual-clutchers are the best in the world, and that the sound of the engine in the cabin has been optimised for the HS, there’s surely cause to be pretty excited about the Handling Speciale experience.
So sharper to drive, even better to listen to, and yet more distinctive to look at - it’s easy to see how this might be a popular Purosangue extra. Ferrari suggests a car in this configuration ‘reacts more directly to driver inputs, enhancing the sensation of control through successive corners and during rapid changes of direction.’ The perfect thing for chasing down Porsche 911s. What a Handling Speciale Purosangue is going to cost hasn’t been published, though it would seem buyers thus far haven’t been averse to adding plenty of personalisation. So what’s another 10 per cent on more than £300k?
If it were a Tesla you'd get the software tweaks as a free over-the-air upgrade, so I guess over in the mad fairyland of Ferrari an additional £30k for the black badges seems... about par for the course, actually.
And the name. I guess this is a precursor to Ferrari's "S-Line" or "AMG Line" moment with their new electric vehicle.
Beautiful as it is, I would have expected a Ferrari of any stripe to be at the top of the spear when it comes to handling, as standard
They should call it something like pista, corsa or speciale. Or if it's just changes to software, add it as an upgrade (along with the visual tat) to current owners....
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