First Drive: 2012 Ferrari FF
You get the feeling that with the FF, Ferrari is keen to reverse the lack of respect or adulation its four-seater models have been afforded in the past compared with its leaner, meaner two-seat sports cars. Take a look at what’s been thrown at the FF: a thumping 6.3-litre V12 producing 486kW that will power it to a top speed of 335km/h, hitting 100km/h in 3.7 seconds along the way; a compact AWD transmission incorporating a seven-speed dual-clutch transaxle with an almost independent module for the front wheels. Multi-link rear suspension replaces Ferrari’s usual double wishbones for ride comfort as well as handling precision. And there are massive carbon-ceramic disc brakes to haul the FF’s all-alloy body down from 100km/h in 35 meters.
The list of technical specifications goes on, but one other thing is clear. Faced with a growing band of rivals such as the user-friendly four-doors introduced by Porsche and Aston Martin – a body style Ferrari has vowed to never produce – the FF also has enough space under that unusual shooting brake bum to swallow a decent amount of luggage and two rear seats big enough to accommodate adults in, if not sprawling elegance, certainly more than superficial comfort.
The futuristic styling melds Klingon spaceship with a touch of Volvo practicality. Styling has split my office down the middle; long-time Ferrari fans have expressed dismay at the “toothy” grille but overall I really like it. The jeweled headlights and flashy grille do make color choice critical and I’d suggest the various reds on offer aren’t the way to go. Instead, silver, grey, midnight blue and black work best in my humble opinion. An all-black example, with black wheels and blacked out grille was leaving the factory the last time I was there. Before you ask, Ferrari insisted I not take photos of this stunning FF as the owner is a “very well-loved and private friend of the brand”. The stern warning came with a suggestion that the owner might be of Eastern European extraction and not one to take unwanted publicity well. I dared not push my luck.