Pure Blood: We finally got to drive the 2024 Ferrari Purosangue V12!
Spending a couple of hours with the Ferrari Purosangue
Few things in life can pull you from the everyday mundane. Whether it's getting to enjoy your favorite comfort food on a slow weekend or perhaps getting to experience what it's like to drive a sports car at full tilt on a race track, these are just some of the things that can bring comfort and inject some fun after one heck of a work week.
Truth be told, I just came from a busy week that seemed to have no end. From car launches to press conferences, as well as preparing news articles and features ahead of time, doing something repeatedly for a long time can sometimes result in perpetual burnout and boredom.
So when the opportunity came to spend a few hours behind the wheel of a Ferrari Purosangue, I immediately volunteered—no, I asked to be sent to the event. Since our Editor-In-Chief Vince was going to be away, he told Ferrari he would send me to experience the Purosangue.
I was beaming with glee at the chance to experience what would it be like to see, hear, touch, and drive a Ferrari for the first time. In my mind, however, I was panicking and scared. It's one thing to see a supercar like the Ferrari Purosangue in a showroom and it's another completely different matter when someone gives you the keys to such a vehicle.
Yes, I’m gonna get to drive a Ferrari.
Nothing less than a V12
Even as I'm typing away at my desk, the high-pitched exhaust note of the Purosangue continues to ring in my ears – reminding me of Maranello's signature engine. With a name that translates to “pure blood” in Italian, it's no surprise the Purosangue has a 6.5L naturally-aspirated V12 under the hood.
No turbos, no hybrid assist, just twelve cylinders of Italian horsepower and torque that deliver 725 PS and 716 Nm to all four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. With the smart key tucked away in my pocket, a push of a button on the steering wheel stirs up the twelve-cylinder from its slumber. Accompanied by a throaty exhaust that delivers a symphony of sounds, I was more than eager to tame the thoroughbred.
What's it like to drive a V12-powered Ferrari? In a nutshell, exhilarating. I've driven V8 muscle cars, twin-turbo V6 sports cars, and turbocharged hot hatches, but nothing has prepared me to experience the raw power of a V12. Heck, this is the first time that I have driven a Ferrari, let alone a V12.
From the moment I stepped on the accelerator, the twelve-cylinder under the hood lets its presence known as it wails and shakes the vehicle even while it’s at a standstill. On a deserted road from where we were shooting the vehicle, I buried my foot on the accelerator and was glued to the seat. In a blur, the Purosange nearly reached triple-digit speeds while it was still in first gear.
With a flick of the paddle shifter, the V12 stallion switched to second gear and both me and the vehicle were still going at high speed. I gathered what remained of my senses and stepped on the brakes to slow the vehicle down. While my heart still wanted to go faster & faster, my mind had to step in and remind me of the possible consequences should I wreck a Ferrari that’s worth a fortune (which I’ll get to later).
Despite only experiencing a fraction of its power in a short period, the Purosangue reminded me why brands like Ferrari still offer a V12 in an era where downsized turbocharged engines and electrification are fast becoming the norm. Getting to experience something so powerful, so raw, was nothing short of a feast for the senses.
Don’t call it a crossover SUV
While it seems like I forgot about the sleek & suave design of the Purosangue, no I did not. In fact, when it first came out two years ago, me and the rest of Team AutoIndustriya.com were both surprised and stunned by the looks of the Purosangue. We were initially expecting a tall, high-riding super SUV just like the Lamborghini Urus and the Aston Martin DBX. Instead, Ferrari kept things, Ferrari.
With its low-slung appearance, fastback styling, and clever use of curvaceous curves in the right places, no wonder Ferrari doesn’t like calling it a crossover SUV. Heck, the Maranello-based brand instead calls the Purosange an “FUV” - Ferrari Utility Vehicle. No matter what the Prancing Horse calls the Purosangue, I have to give props to the Ferrari Styling Center for designing such a vehicle.
What may look like headlights at the front are actually air intakes. That’s right, the headlights are located below, resulting in an unmistakable look. The doors, fenders, and quarter panels all have a muscular and slender appearance which somehow reminds me of the muscles you would see on a prized thoroughbred. Like most things, not only are they good-looking but they also serve a purpose, to make the vehicle cut through the wind as efficiently as possible.
Since it’s Ferrari’s first-ever four-door, we have to talk about the rear suicide (or coach) doors. With a push of a button near the window, the doors open up and invite occupants to step into a lounge-like cabin which we’ll talk about later. While Ferrari could have simply made a regular door, they went the extra mile to make it special for the rear passengers. Yes, it’s extra weight but who cares, you’re in a Ferrari.
While most folks prefer the front of the vehicle, the Purosangue is one of the few vehicles in the world that I would rather see its rear. With its fastback shape, the quarter panels are more pronounced while the LED taillights and quad exhaust pipes further accentuate the Purosangue’s sporting pedigree. Whereas most tailgates on crossover SUVs can sometimes ruin the overall look of a vehicle, the one on the Purosangue blends with the overall aesthetic of the vehicle - resulting in a more cohesive design.
(Proper) seating for four
The Purosangue is not the first-ever four-seater (2+2) from Ferrari as they have already made countless examples in the past like the 250 GT/E, the Mondial, the 456 GT, the 612 Scaglietti, the California, and the GTC4 Lusso. But the Purosangue serves as Maranello’s first four-door model which is an achievement.
But what do you get when you step inside the Purosangue? Well, claustrophobic Ferrari enthusiasts need not worry as this particular stallion has plenty of space for four full-size adults. Believe it or not, the Purosangue has one of the comfiest rear seats in the ultra-luxury sports segment. And since you don’t have to squeeze yourself to get in the back, I actually wouldn’t mind taking the rear seats, especially in the Purosangue.
From the moment I sat in the rear, the seats immediately felt comfortable and not cramped. They are also power adjustable and feature a center console with an integrated glove box, cup holders, and a panel to manage the climate control for the rear. And unlike most performance vehicles where the rear seats are more of an afterthought, Ferrari took the time and care to make the rear occupants comfortable as possible. Perhaps my only complaint would be the headroom for taller individuals, but since I’m not vertically gifted, I digress.
Back to the driver’s seat and I have to say that getting into a Ferrari is an event in itself. Not only do you get to touch and see the exquisite Italian leather on the door panels, seats, and center console, but your hands also get to experience the sensation of holding a proper Ferrari steering wheel. From the intricate buttons to the signature Manettino dial that I used to only imagine setting the drive mode on a Ferrari 458, everything is where you expect it to be.
Once you set your desired driving position, you’ll notice the Purosange has a digital heads-up display which is something you’d want on a thoroughbred that can easily hit triple-digit speeds in a cinch. Then there’s the carbon fiber paddle shifters which are not only neat to the touch but always deliver that sensation of quality only a Ferrari could craft. Last but not least are the toggle switches on the center console for the transmission. Clearly, Maranello knows a thing or two about making the cabin ergonomic yet stylish for its clients.
Pure Blooded Italian
If someone told me 10 years ago that Ferrari would make a utility vehicle, I’d say they were crazy.
As Bob Dylan said: times they are a-changing. Maranello had to make one, but instead of just making it like everyone else, Ferrari kept it Ferrari which resulted in the Purosangue defying expectations while still wowing their clientele and enthusiasts alike. Heck, every Purosangue until 2026 is spoken for.
Would Enzo Ferrari himself approve of such a vehicle? We’ll never know but personally, the Ferrari Purosangue certainly reminded me just how passion plays a crucial role in a brand’s philosophy.
Ferrari's first "FUV" is incredible and impressive. While I didn’t get to spend an entire day with such a fine steed, the couple of hours I got to enjoy the Ferrari Purosangue were well worth it. Refreshing, even. Like most things, a job is a job and there are days where everything feels like a chore. However, there are days when everything falls into place. In my case, getting to drive a V12-powered Ferrari reignited more than just my passion for cars.
Oh and before I forget, here's the price tag of the Purosangue I just drove: an eye-watering PHP 64.4 million.
