2012 Ferrari FF

After teasing us for quite a while now, Ferrari has finally revealed the official details on their new successor for the 612 Scaglietti. Called the FF - an acronym for Ferrari Four (four seats and four-wheel drive), the new model is the company’s most powerful, versatile four-seater ever, as well as its first ever four-wheel drive car.

The concept car was designed by Pininfarina, and according to Ferrari "the new car represents not so much an evolution as a true revolution." The new model will deliver "unprecedented level an extremely sporty, high-performance character with incredible versatility, superb comfort and sophisticated elegance, guaranteeing both driver and passengers an absolutely unique driving experience."

The new Ferrari FF GT sports car concept is expected to make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and a production version will follow by 2012.

Update 02/04/2010: Ferrari has released new images with the FF. This time the car is presented in action in the snow. However, our opinion is that the snow doesn’t make it look better. What do you think?

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 down).

Ferrari will offer a vast array of personalization options and accessories, including six model-specific exterior colors and sumptuous interior trim incorporating specially selected and treated aniline leather.

Many exterior colors will be available for the newest Ferrari, including 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.

 

The 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.

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?

 

After the concept makes 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.

The 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.