Friday 21st January 2011

Ferrari FF Shock: It's A Four-Wheel-Drive Hatch

Maranello breaks from tradition in the most spectacular way with 612 successor

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In what must count as the biggest automotive shock of the year so far, Ferrari has revealed a four-wheel-drive hatchback as a replacement for the 612 Scaglietti.

The new car is called the FF (sadly an acronym for Ferrari Four - four seats and four-wheel drive - rather than a tribute to the Jensen Interceptor) and gets a trick four-wheel-drive system - Ferrari's first.

Ferrari's patented 4RM (four-wheel drive) weighs 50 per cent less than a conventional four-wheel-drive system, while maintaining what Ferrari describes as perfect weight distribution (53 per cent over the rear axle). The four-wheel drive technology is completely integrated with the car's electronic dynamic control systems and (says Ferrari, at least) delivers record levels of performance on all terrains and in all conditions via 'continuous and intelligent predictive torque distribution to all four wheels'.

This being a 21st-century Ferrari, there's also a magnetorheological damping system (try saying that after a couple of tequilas), carbon-ceramic brakes and Ferrari's transaxle dual-clutch F1 gearbox.

Although the Pininfarina-designed body appears to have come from a brief that called for the adding of BMW M coupe and Reliant Scimitar genes into the Ferrari mix, and although the new 4x4 drivertrain is rather a departure from the norm, the FF sticks to its knitting with a V12 powerplant up front.

This new 6262cc direct-injection engine is good for 651bhp at 8000rpm and 504lb ft at 6000rpm, which will translate to 0-62mph in 3.7secs and a top speed of 209mph.

All of which sounds very Ferrari. What you don't usually expect Ferrari to say is that "owners will be able to enjoy the FF's prowess over a wide range of uses: city driving, on low grip or snow-covered surfaces and on the track". Nor do you expect a boot capacity of 450-800 litres in a V12 Ferrari...

The Ferrari FF will get its in-the-metal debut at the Geneva show in March. In the meantime, you can have your appetite whetted by Ferrari's rather wonderful promo video.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine
Type	65-degree V12
Overall displacement	6,262 cc
Maximum power	660 CV @ 8,000 rpm
Maximum torque	683 Nm @ 6,000 rpm
Dimensions and weight
Length	4907 mm
Width	1953 mm
Height	1379 mm
Dry weight*	1790 kg
Weight distribution	47% front, 53% rear
Weight/power ratio	2.7 kg/CV
Performance
Maximum speed	335 km/h
0-100 km/h	3.7 sec
Fuel consumption and emissions (ECE+EUDC)
Fuel consumption**	15.4 l/100 km
Emissions**	360 g/km

* European market version
** With HELE system

[Douglas Arfempty]

BMW M Coupe anyone?

[LongLiveTazio]

They must be aware they're sharing a name with Jensen. Pretty shoddy from Ferrari IMO. Someone must own the rights to it still, surely?

Presumably they'll be on claiming they derived inspiration from the not-built-by-Ferrari 250 Breadvan next.

[NotNormal]

Official vid - http://www.ferrari.com/F151/

[Diabolik]

Not particularly a looker, but impressive figures.

[Riggers]

Douglas Arfempty said:

BMW M Coupe anyone?

Article said:

Although the Pininfarina-designed body appears to have come from a brief that called for the adding of BMW M coupe and Reliant Scimitar genes into the Ferrari mix

Repost!

[EDLT]

A four seater coupe with rear headroom?

Its the stuff of science fiction.

[AdvocatusD]

I think it's a nice cohesive design for the most part, particularly the side profile. Not crazy about the front though.

However, elements of the 458, California and 612 are clearly distinguishable.

It is a pity that it isn't an entirely new design, for it is an entirely new car.

Makes you miss the "old" days, when each new Ferrari looked very different from its predecessor.

Edited by AdvocatusD on Friday 21st January 11:53

[AJI]

oh dear!

Are they deciding to head along the paths of Porsche? In that the next generation of Ferraris could well be SUVs?

I'd be pretty much pi$$ed if I had a 612 to know that they are going to ba$tardise it to become a 4WD hatch looking like that.

[Amizade]

Nice take on a M Coupe/bread van.

Wonder how many deposits will be placed from the bonuses being handed out this week.

[motoringboutique]

Am i going to be quoted a numerous amount of times if I say:

To be honest, I quite like it... Looks really quite nice,

[r11co]

Douglas Arfempty said:

BMW M Coupe anyone?

I was thinking more this..

[fitzknows]

I saw it at one minute past eleven, and like you,thought BMW M Coupe what the actual hell...??...an INCREDIBLE likeness....like...how much did the designers charge for coming up with this....they just looked at their top trumps from,what,5 years ago.....BMW may sue...!.....I like the design I guess but how many times are we going to hear the cpmparison....new Top Gear on Sunday.....who wants a bet that they compare it....?....£10 anyone....?

[ChipsAndCheese]

Douglas Arfempty said:

BMW M Coupe anyone?

Yup, that's what I thought too. And just like that bread van, I don't like it.

After the gorgeous 458 Italia, this is a real disappointment for me. Doesn't look like a Ferrari should, especially not a range-topping V12 Ferrari. Maybe that M-Coupe style body would have better suited a V6 in the front and a relaunch of the Dino sub-brand?

Edited by ChipsAndCheese on Friday 21st January 12:00

[hornetrider]

Well, I like it.

[E36GUY]

It may have echoes of the BMW breadvan but I love this new Fezza! Front end especially looks fantastic!

[jon-]

Yes! No! Yes!

I'm confused, I'm not sure if I like it or not.

At least it's prettier than the Panamera (which is an epic car in every other way)

[CliveM]

Having had an M Coupe I'm biased but that's fantastic - surely a more useful addition to the lineup than just being a fatter version of the 599?

[AB]

motoringboutique said:

Am i going to be quoted a numerous amount of times if I say:

To be honest, I quite like it... Looks really quite nice,

I doubt anyone will quote you... Oops.

I think it looks good too, but it'd look better if it wasn't a Ferrari, if you get me?

[fitzknows]

Is there any news on price...?...please tell me its sub-£200k- as thats my limit...!!

[motoringboutique]

fitzknows said:

I saw it at one minute past eleven, and like you,thought BMW M Coupe what the actual hell...??...an INCREDIBLE likeness....like...how much did the designers charge for coming up with this....they just looked at their top trumps from,what,5 years ago.....BMW may sue...!.....I like the design I guess but how many times are we going to hear the cpmparison....new Top Gear on Sunday.....who wants a bet that they compare it....?....£10 anyone....?

Yep 10£ bet your on!

(seeing as top gear is filmed on a wednesday...)

Anyway besides that i totally agree does look like an M coupe, but very nice id say..