The 2013 FF has taken Ferrari to places no other Ferrari has ever been, namely on severely snow-covered mountain roads, and even frozen lakes.
The FF is Ferrari’s first all-wheel drive vehicle and likely the closest concession to practicality this maker of highly desirable exotic sports cars has ever made. Is it a station wagon or an elegant shooting brake? Either way, it’s unique.
Having replaced the 612 Scaglietti, the 2+2 FF (for Ferrari Four referring to four seats and four-wheel drive) is so much more than that. It’s all about groundbreaking innovations for the prancing horse -- the most important being its patented four-wheel-drive system. Ferrari claims this system (known as 4RM or Route Motorize, which translates to 4-wheel drive in Italian) is 50% lighter than a conventional setup and maintains a rear-biased 47/53 weight distribution.
The trick new 4RM system is not the only element that garnered much attention. Let's face it; to the Ferrari faithful, the very idea of a four-seater bearing even a whiff of station wagon is tantamount to sacrilege. And yet, this isn't Ferrari's first foray into the shooting brake layout; the Pininfarina-penned 365 GTB/4 introduced in 1968 has since become an icon of design.
Inside the 2013 Ferrari FF
The FF offers positively voluminous interior space for a Ferrari: 450 litres (or 16 cu.-ft) with the rear seats up, and a cavernous 800 litres (28 cu.-ft) with them down. The cabin is replete with luxurious trimmings, with a choice of six colours and the use of high-tech materials. All four bucket seats are formed from lightweight magnesium and upholstered in rich leather that's been specially enhanced for softness. Entertainment technology includes a rear-seat infotainment system with dual screens for both DVD and TV, and a 16-channel, 1,280-Watt surround-sound stereo system.
2013 Ferrari FF design and powertrain
The Pininfarina design is built around an all-aluminum spaceframe, with a front clip that's virtually lifted from the 458 Italia. Under that long, sculpted hood sits a reworked version of Ferrari's glorious 6.3L V12, producing a colossal 660 horsepower with 504 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to the same F1-derived 7-speed, dual-shift transmission found in other Ferraris.
The FF can blast from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 330 km/h. Equally important are the new lighter and longer-lasting carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes at each corner to haul it back in. Fuel consumption is reportedly 15.4L/100 km which, given the FF's overall weight of 1,790 kg (3,946 lbs) and prodigious power, isn't at all bad.
The patented four-wheel drive system employs a secondary gearbox, which draws power from the engine, transmitting it to each of the four wheels when needed. Integrated with the car's electronic system, the 4RM adapts to provide optimum grip whether on snow or dry pavement. Ferrari's latest iteration of its magnetorheological damper system (SCM3) should ensure the most supple and sinewy body control.
The FF is Ferrari’s first all-wheel drive vehicle and likely the closest concession to practicality this maker of highly desirable exotic sports cars has ever made. Is it a station wagon or an elegant shooting brake? Either way, it’s unique.
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Having replaced the 612 Scaglietti, the 2+2 FF (for Ferrari Four referring to four seats and four-wheel drive) is so much more than that. It’s all about groundbreaking innovations for the prancing horse -- the most important being its patented four-wheel-drive system. Ferrari claims this system (known as 4RM or Route Motorize, which translates to 4-wheel drive in Italian) is 50% lighter than a conventional setup and maintains a rear-biased 47/53 weight distribution.
The trick new 4RM system is not the only element that garnered much attention. Let's face it; to the Ferrari faithful, the very idea of a four-seater bearing even a whiff of station wagon is tantamount to sacrilege. And yet, this isn't Ferrari's first foray into the shooting brake layout; the Pininfarina-penned 365 GTB/4 introduced in 1968 has since become an icon of design.
Inside the 2013 Ferrari FF
The FF offers positively voluminous interior space for a Ferrari: 450 litres (or 16 cu.-ft) with the rear seats up, and a cavernous 800 litres (28 cu.-ft) with them down. The cabin is replete with luxurious trimmings, with a choice of six colours and the use of high-tech materials. All four bucket seats are formed from lightweight magnesium and upholstered in rich leather that's been specially enhanced for softness. Entertainment technology includes a rear-seat infotainment system with dual screens for both DVD and TV, and a 16-channel, 1,280-Watt surround-sound stereo system.
2013 Ferrari FF design and powertrain
The Pininfarina design is built around an all-aluminum spaceframe, with a front clip that's virtually lifted from the 458 Italia. Under that long, sculpted hood sits a reworked version of Ferrari's glorious 6.3L V12, producing a colossal 660 horsepower with 504 lb-ft of torque. It's mated to the same F1-derived 7-speed, dual-shift transmission found in other Ferraris.
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| Photo: Ferrari |
The FF can blast from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 330 km/h. Equally important are the new lighter and longer-lasting carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes at each corner to haul it back in. Fuel consumption is reportedly 15.4L/100 km which, given the FF's overall weight of 1,790 kg (3,946 lbs) and prodigious power, isn't at all bad.
The patented four-wheel drive system employs a secondary gearbox, which draws power from the engine, transmitting it to each of the four wheels when needed. Integrated with the car's electronic system, the 4RM adapts to provide optimum grip whether on snow or dry pavement. Ferrari's latest iteration of its magnetorheological damper system (SCM3) should ensure the most supple and sinewy body control.
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