Vehicle: 2012 Ferrari FF
Price as tested: CDN$300000
Performance: Any driving enthuisasts would gone nuts when they heard the words “Ferrari” and “FF” altogether, in fact, they have a completely different meaning to what “FF” originally mean in the industry. Subject to this test drive, Ferrari’s first foray into the world of AWD sports cars. Is it a real Ferrari? Have those Italian delivered what they promised?
Given FF’s status as a grand tourer which intended to replace 456GT, it doesn’t come as any nasty surprises that its standard with a sweet V12 powertrain. Unlike many of those 12-cylinder powerplants we have driven in many upper luxury cars right from Mercedes to Bentley, this one is not only smooth as a mirror. It delivers with the usual Ferrari soul and song. In the automotive world, there aren’t any engine note which come as passionate and entertaining to any enthuisast’s ears as those from Maranello. This front-mounted 6.3 liter V12, along with all the advanced engineering sophistcation, produces a wealthy 651 stallion and, more importantly, 504 lb/ft of torque, at driver’s right boot. As one has expected, power has never been an issue. What its really an issue is how much FF weighting in on the scale. Its close to 2-tonnes curb weight doesn’t feel very much Ferrari-like, as I would expect something lighter from this Maranello fun factory. That said, FF’s acceleration remains breathtaking while launching this heavy beast is simply a-piece-of-cake. The icing-on-the-cake is Ferrari’s masterful F1 gearbox, which has both “sport”, “comfort”, “winter”, “wet” and “esc off”…it just has about every mods for everybody. Given FF’s status as a GT, its good enough to leave it in “comfort” as suspension is comfortably compliant enough for passengers, while firm enough when driver needs to attack corners. All of these mods also have changed the shifting characteristics of the gearbox. Different shifting geometry right from more aggressive on “sport” while launching on 2nd gear during “winter” mode. As for gear ratios, they are properly weighted while always willing to up and downshifts, regardless of which mods driver has set to.
Handling: What the “FF” means “Ferrari Four”, that means its the first Ferrari which comes with AWD. Unlike many of those AWDs on the market, FF is basically a rear-driver until driver dials in “comfort” or “snow” modes. Ferrari claimed 4RM, is 50% lighter than conventional AWD. Dynamically speaking, it provides RWD driving experience without losing any confidence when its time to hit the snow mountains. The real reasoning behind 4RM only activates during those 2 modes is primiarly because, during comfortable cruising and snowy weather, you don’t need to use the more aggressive rear-driving modes. Unlike so many of those pretentious rear-bias AWD, namely BMW X-Drive, 4RM actually works as advertised. During “sport” and “esc off”, it drives more sporty than any grand touring peers out there. Its ride quality is firmer than many of its competitions, without losing the usual Ferrari feel and feedback. When dialled in “comfort”, it rides as silky smooth as any luxury cars without losing any suspension suppleness which makes Ferrari so famous. Pushed the FF hard into corners, it exhibits minimal body rolls, while both understeer and oversteer are superbly tempted.
Brakes: With large 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, FF provides exceptional brake feel and feedback as one expects from a Ferrari. The stopping distance is short while pedal feels strong and solid. Even after a couple of hard stops, it remains fade-free. ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily is an icing-on-the-cake.
Interior: The biggest highlight to the FF is the amount of luggage space. With the rear seats up, it has 450 liters. With the rear seats folding down, its able to eats up to 800 liters of luggage. All have done with minimal wheel instrusions and low liftover.
The rear compartment is surprisingly comfortable for a grand tourer. Its comfortable without feeling confining even if its a 4-seater configuration.
In front, its the same world-class material and fit-and-finish as one expects from a Ferrari. It is simple, mostly initutive in its controls and austere in a way of what an Italian sports car should be. Those leather sports seats should be judged as industry’s gold standards.
Conclusion: Ferrari has delivered an excellent grand tourer, which combines wonderful all-weather capability with amazing practicality. In engineering terms, its a real Ferrari when you look pass its controversially bulky exterior and SUV-esque curb weight. Have those Maranello engineers delivered what they have promised? They surely do. But I am remain unsure whether this is the Ferrari which I am lusting after.
Competition:
Bentley Continential GT Supersports
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2012 Ferrari FF
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 5/5
Value-for-money: 4/5
Overall rating: 4/5