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Ferrari Purosangue: 715-hp SUV gets special handling configuration

Ferrari Purosangue Handling Speciale. [Credit: All images courtesy of Ferrari]

 

 

Ferrari is offering a new special handling configuration on its powerful, super-luxe SUV called the Purosangue -- the first four-door, four-seater Ferrari in the history of the Prancing Horse. The upgrade aims to sharpen the car's mechanical and electronic responses, without compromising everyday versatility. Owners get a number of exclusive styling elements too. It's a beautiful -- and very pricey -- ride.

From its mid-front-mounted V-12 engine producing 715 hp to its suicide rear doors and impeccably refined interior, there really is nothing like the Purosangue on the market. In photos it can look really compact, but it is significantly larger than the Porsche Macan SUV (Porsche's best-selling model in the United States) by about 7 in. in length and 3.5 in. in width, so it is classified as mid-size.

Ferrari does not want the Purosangue (meaning "thoroughbred") to be thought of as a small crossover SUV; it's an extreme, highly refined sports car that just happens to have a 4+4 configuration. Case in point is the car's mid-front-mounted, naturally aspirated V-12 engine with the gearbox at the rear to create a sporty transaxle layout. What SUV has that? The power transfer unit is coupled in front of the engine to provide a unique 4×4 transmission. According to Prancing Horse engineers, this delivers exactly the 49:51% weight distribution that is optimal for a mid-front-engine sports car.

Eighty percent of the maximum torque from the 6.5-L V-12 with high-pressure direct injection is on tap at just 2,100 rpm, and it peaks at 716 Nm at 6,250 rpm. Maximum power is reached at 7,750 rpm. Ferrari says, "Huge attention was lavished on improving mechanical and combustion efficiency, employing Formula 1-inspired calibration concepts." The car sports an 8-speed, oil-bath dual-clutch transmission. It does 0 to 62 mph in 3.3 sec and is one of the fastest SUVs currently available -- certainly with an internal combustion engine.

Purosangue sports the very latest iterations of Ferrari's vehicle dynamic control systems introduced on its most powerful and exclusive sports cars, including independent four-wheel steering and ABS "evo" with a six-way Chassis Dynamic Sensor (6w-CDS). The ABS "evo" controller was co-designed with Bosch and integrated with the brake-by-wire system that debuted on the 296 GTB. The car also has the latest Ferrari active suspension system, which controls body roll in corners as well as the tire contact patch over high-frequency bumps to deliver the same performance and handling response as in one of the marque's sports cars.

As well as the active suspension technology, the Purosangue is equipped with "a new-generation front semi-virtual, high wishbone suspension where the lower wishbone has two attachment points on the hub carrier." This solution means the virtual lower kingpin attachment point created by the two arms is very close to the wheel center, making the steering wheel less sensitive to road irregularities and braking.

The new Handling Speciale configuration significantly revises several key elements of dynamic response, including the calibration of the active suspension, designed to reduce body movements by 10% and deliver a distinctly more compact feel. As a result, Ferrari says the Purosangue in Handling Speciale configuration "reacts more directly to driver inputs, enhancing the sensation of control through successive corners and during rapid changes of direction."

Shift strategies have also been revised, with quicker response times and more decisive gear changes, particularly in the Manettino "Race" and "ESCOff" modes. The effect is especially evident during acceleration, where the system prioritizes a sharper sensation of thrust. In manual mode, shifts become more sporting at medium-to-high engine speeds (above 5,500 rpm), increasing driver engagement. The in-cabin sound has also been optimized through a dedicated setting, more pronounced at startup and under acceleration, further highlighting the character of the naturally aspirated V12.

The chassis has a carbon-fiber roof as standard to keep weight down and lower the center of gravity. A full-length electrochromic glass roof is optional (and a first for the brand to offer roof choices). Specific forged wheels were designed for the Purosangue based on the same aero concept as those on the SF90 Stradale, in which radial elements on the outer channel facilitate hot air extraction from the wheelarch. These aero appendages emerge from three-dimensional surfaces and are highlighted with an elegant diamond-cut finish.

The Ferrari Purosangue in Handling Speciale configuration also introduces a number of exclusive styling elements that make it instantly recognizable without altering its proportions. These include wheels with a dedicated design and new diamond-cut finish, carbon fiber side shields, matt black exhaust tips, a black rear Prancing Horse emblem, a satin-finished Ferrari script, and a dedicated interior plaque identifying the configuration.

Inside, the Purosangue's cabin is a lesson in meticulous design of both space and furnishings, as well as careful selection of materials. The driver's cockpit is inspired by the SF90 Stradale and is mirrored in style on the passenger side. There is no center control panel on the dash, which is both elegant and refreshing. The driver is presented with a 10.2-in. display, and most functions are achievable via controls on the steering wheel.

The cabin has four separate and independently adjustable seats -- no room for a fifth passenger. It has the luxurious feel of a premium, albeit cozy and sporty, lounge. It is the very first car in the world to use a special version of Alcantara made of 68% post-consumer recycled polyester. A Burmester 3D High-End Surround Sound System is standard equipment.

Massaging front seats are an option, as well as an an air-quality sensor and purification system.

The standard Ferrari Purosangue is $430,000, and the Handling Speciale configuration is estimated to take the price close to a cool $500,000. Gather up those extra quarters you find in the couch.

Source: Ferrari

Published May 2026

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