Modern times: The first four-door Ferrari is called Purosangue. Heresy or progress? Either way, if anyone can make an SUV as unique as it is spectacular, it’s the Italian brand

The march of time is unstoppable and what seemed impossible just a decade ago is now a reality: Ferrari has unveiled its first SUV. The historic brand of the Cavallino Rampante claims, however, that the Purosangue is not an SUV but an FUV, in other words, a unique and very particular interpretation of the concept.

In typical Ferrari fashion, the Purosangue makes its own rules within the overall segment guidelines. The proportions hark back to a mix of SUV and Shooting Break and, at just 160cm tall, it is closer to the FF or GTC4 Lusso than a traditional SUV. The Purosangue may have four doors, but the rear ones take on a ‘suicide’ layout, meaning they open in the opposite direction to the front ones and can only be used when those are open.

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This allowed Flavio Manzoni, the genius responsible for the brand’s designs, to hide the second handle and make the car’s profile more fluid and, naturally, more beautiful. The of the ‘suicide’ doors was a brilliant decision, in which the brand shows that, despite not being able to escape the four-door format, they will exist as a central and unique element of the car.

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As well as easily being the most proportionally harmonious SUV ever created, the most beautiful and certainly the most desired, the Purosangue will also be the fastest. Under the bonnet, the engineers have put a 6.5-litre V12 engine with 725 horsepower and 716Nm of torque, capable of taking the Ferrari to 100km/h in just 3.3 seconds, to 200km/h in 10.6 seconds and beyond the 310km/h top speed. Maximum engine speed is reached at 8250rpm, which goes to show why this is an SUV unlike any other. It also sounds more like a Formula 1 drive than a practical and versatile family car.

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The dual-clutch transmission has eight ratios, the four-wheel drive is permanent and an evolution of the GTC4’s system, whilst the four-wheel steering technology is imported from the 812 Competizione.

The cabin fits four passengers and sets the standard for sporty ultra-luxury, with the emphasis on organic shapes and the combination of leather, carbon fibre and Alcantara. Personalisation options are endless, and there is even a new Burmester 3D High-End sound system developed specifically for the Puro­sangue’s features. Rumour has it, it has already sold out.