Two years before his untimely death, former Fiat Chrysler and Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne promised not to build a sport-utility vehicle with the prancing horse badge stuck to it. To do so would be sacrilege, he implied. Alas, the passage of time revealed the folly in that plan, especially for an automaker trying to stand on its own two feet after being spun off by its parent.
At the time, luxury automakers like FCA’s Maserati and its competitors had come to the realization that a stable devoid of high-riding vehicles was not what consumers — or forward-looking investors — wanted to see. Fast-forward to the present day, and even Rolls-Royce has an SUV. Lotus, maker of tiny sports cars, has one in development. Ferrari would be the odd man out without one, and thus more vulnerable to changing consumer preferences.
On Tuesday, Ferrari told investors what they can expect from the company, as well as its upcoming SUV.
According to Bloomberg, Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri dialed back the company’s expected earnings at the end of its five-year plan, estimating earnings before interest, tax, etc. at 1.8 to 2 billion euros ($2.1-2.3 billion) by 2022. Marchionne had placed a bullseye over the 2 billion euros figure. Still, expect average transaction prices to soar, Camilleri said.
On the product front, Camilleri promised 15 new models by 2022, though that number includes numerous variants of existing or future models. One of those products is the SUV, to which Ferrari has bestowed the name “Purosangue” (Thoroughbred in Italian). It isn’t known if this name is merely a placeholder until the production model appears.
About that production date: don’t expect it to arrive in 2020, as Marchionne once said. In order to “get it perfect,” Camirelli claims he’s pushed back SUV production two years, to the end of the five-year window.
Also revealed at the meeting were details about the layout of the vehicle. As described by Motor1, Ferrari’s SUV is of a front mid-engined design, with the powerplant placed directly behind the front wheels. The dual-clutch automatic transmission sets up shop in the rear. Given that Ferrari expects 70 percent of its output to be hybrids by 2022, there’ll be a gas-electric version of the Purosangue, with the electric motor channeling torque to the rear wheels. The model’s new platform can also handle all-wheel drive.
Don’t worry, squares — there will be a side door for both front- and rear-seat passengers, in addition to the rear liftgate, if you want to refer to it as that. There’s actually two firsts happening here: Ferrari’s first SUV and first five-door bodystyle.
“I abhor hearing SUV in the same sentence as Ferrari,” Camilleri told the investors. “As a die-hard Ferrarista, I was a little skeptical when the concept was first voiced at the board. Having now seen the wonderful design and the extraordinary features, I am a hugely enthusiastic supporter.”
He’s seen the light, folks. Take his word for it. Other tidbits revealed during the meeting included the automaker’s plan to introduce V6 engines into the lineup, probably without the name Dino attached. For those who get nauseous at the thought of six-cylinders, hybrids, and SUVs, Camilleri announced the creation of the limited-edition, 812-based Monza SP1 and SP2 — one- and two-seat V12-powered speedsters that couldn’t care less about your kids or the environment. On tap is 798 horsepower and 530 lb-ft of torque, ushering the carbon fiber body to 62 miles per hour in 2.9 seconds.
It isn’t known if we’ll see these rare beasts on this side of the Atlantic. Regardless, the aim of Ferrari’s Capital Markets Day presentation was to satisfy global investors by showing it had the imagination to meet all demands of it.
I believe wholeheartedly that crossovers will be the car of the future for 90% of motorists. But Ferrari and Lotus should stay the hell away from crossovers.
You are wrong,they MUST get into SUV’s simply because I will buy one,and Ferrari are in the car business to make money,like any business person.
“Ferrari and Lotus should stay the hell away from crossovers.”
That’s what they said about Porsche as well
If Ferrari is staying the hell away from manual transmissions, what makes you think that they will stay the hell away of SUV’s?
I’ve seen the pictures of this thing. It’s a wagon. They can call it an SUV, but it’s a wagon. That Lambo thing that’s actually an Audi – that’s an SUV.
This is a wagon.
It’s actually more of a lifted hatchback
http://n.sinaimg.cn/sinacn/20171106/eff9-fynnnsc7134734.jpg
But, there are several different renderings floating around, not sure which is closest to reality
Does anyone else get Mazda RX-8 vibes from the concept renderings?
Its certainly no SUV, Im just awaiting for it to be relased in three trim levels, all with the same V6 with extra power for the fancier models.
I understand that all companies need their “bread and butter” product, the thing that makes money. But I dont look foward to what will be grossly overpriced V6 hatchbacks, theres already a ton of cheaper false “sporty” CUVs to choose from.
Porsche sells a lot of Panameras (which I like), and (gasp!) they no longer build air-cooled 911s.
Gotta keep up with the times to stay in business.
If I had the money, I’d have a Lamborghini Urus in my driveway.
This is the problem with spinning Ferrari off by itself. It now has to have a full model range. In the good old days, small cars would be called Fiats, four doors and SUVs could be Maseratis and way back in the past they could put some fancy tech in lower priced cars called Lancias.
I am sad that the badge has become more desirable than the cars. The storied brands’ reputations are becoming diluted. ( Mercedes pickup, RR and Lamborghini trucks etc.)
Mercedes actually makes commercial trucks and van for a long long time.
So why didn’t they ever build a sedan when those were wildly popular?
Or a Ferrari minivan?
365 / 400 was kinda a sedan
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_365_GT4_2%2B2,_400_and_412
And the coachbuilt 456 GT Venice sedans
http://www.coachbuild.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=50&g2_itemId=12549
The difference being that back then, Ferrari was part of Fiat, and Fiat were family controlled. Ferrari was the halo brand creating sports cars and supercars.
They got to dabble in saloons – they fitted an engine to the Lancia Thema (the original, before the Chrysler 300 rebadge),
Having driven a Testarossa at the age of 30 and disliking the experience for myriad reasons I can easily see the way in which rich people would buy a Ferrari SUV. Even rich people get old. Hell, if Turnbull & Asser saw a $1B per annum profit in stonewashed jeans they’d certainly give it a think!
Purists will continue to complain about performance SUVs, but it’s obviously here and started with the Cayenne a long time ago. The performance gained through modern technology is staggering. A recent comparo of the Stelvio Q, GLC63, and Macan Turbo showed 0-60 times of 3.3secs, 11.7 quarters, and .95Gs on the skidpad. These are numbers that most current “sports cars” can’t reach. An instructor at the BMW M school told me the quickest BMW to get around their track was the X6M. I agree that jacking up a wagon and calling it a SUV/Crossover is semantics. However the vehicle for you to enjoy on a spirited back road drive, haul kids on vacation and likely get 20+mpg on a commute is here. You no longer need 3 cars.
First 5 door Ferrari?….
https://autoweek.com/article/wait-theres-more/ferrari-456-gt-venice-still-perfect-london-grocery-getter
That is actually quite cool
If this were manufactured by VW, they would name it after some sort of wind. The SUVs would be marketed as the Porsche Pordhut and the Volkswagen Ballonnements.
As it’s said with Porsche, if selling SUVs allows Ferrari to continue to produce 488s, 812s and the occasional LaFerrari, then so be it. However, I read somewhere that Ferrari is already the world’s most profitable automaker in terms of per unit sold, so…
And, would it be any different than Enzo deciding to make road cars just to support his racing habit? He reportedly didn’t give a sh*t about the road cars.