Nadim Mehanna and his MotorShow team took the Ferrari Purosangue for a comprehensive drive in the UAE.

Ferrari’s first four-door, four-seat model combines the unmistakable character of a Maranello sports car with the space, comfort and versatility expected from a grand touring machine.

The Purosangue immediately stands apart from conventional luxury SUVs. Its low-slung silhouette, muscular proportions and sculpted bodywork give it the presence of a sports car rather than a traditional high-riding vehicle. Ferrari deliberately avoided the typical SUV formula, creating a shape that remains athletic and aerodynamic while providing significantly more interior space.

One of its most distinctive details is the rear-hinged “Welcome Doors.” Combined with the electrically operated rear seats, they provide easy access to the back without compromising the car’s elegant proportions. The carbon-fibre roof also helps reduce weight and lower the centre of gravity.

At the centre of the Purosangue experience is Ferrari’s naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12. Producing 725 cv, equivalent to roughly 715 hp, and 716 Nm of torque, the engine revs all the way to 8,250 rpm and delivers the linear response and unmistakable soundtrack expected from a Ferrari V12.

Power is sent through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, while Ferrari’s four-wheel-drive system helps put the engine’s output onto the road. The result is startling performance: 0–100 km/h in just 3.3 seconds, 0–200 km/h in 10.6 seconds and a top speed of more than 310 km/h.

What makes the engine particularly impressive is how usable it remains away from maximum attack. Ferrari developed the V12 specifically for the Purosangue, with strong torque availability at relatively low engine speeds, allowing effortless acceleration during everyday driving while retaining its dramatic character when the revs climb.

The Purosangue’s greatest achievement may be the way it disguises its dimensions from behind the wheel. Measuring 4,973 mm in length and 2,028 mm in width, it is a substantial machine, yet its 49:51 front-to-rear weight distribution and sophisticated chassis technology give it a remarkably balanced feel. Its dry weight is listed at 2,033 kg with lightweight options.

Ferrari Active Suspension Technology is one of the key ingredients. The system continuously manages body movement and tyre contact, helping the Purosangue remain composed through corners while also improving ride quality over imperfect surfaces. The 4RM-S system combines all-wheel drive with rear-wheel steering, giving the car impressive agility and stability for something of this size.

On winding roads, the Purosangue feels much closer to a Ferrari GT than a conventional SUV. Steering responses are immediate, the front end remains controlled and the car can change direction with surprising confidence. Yet the suspension technology means it does not sacrifice comfort simply to achieve that level of performance.

Inside, the Purosangue introduces a completely different interpretation of the Ferrari cabin. Rather than treating rear passengers as an afterthought, Ferrari designed the car around four individual seats, with generous space and electric adjustment. The rear seats are heated and designed to provide genuine long-distance comfort.

The dashboard follows Ferrari’s dual-cockpit philosophy, with the driver and front passenger receiving their own information displays. The result is an interior that feels highly focused on the driving experience while giving the passenger a greater sense of involvement.

Materials, finishes and personalization remain firmly in Ferrari territory, while the boot offers 473 liters of capacity. The rear seats can also be folded, adding another layer of practicality that would be difficult to associate with a traditional Ferrari sports car.

A Different Kind of Ferrari for the UAE

The Purosangue makes particular sense in markets such as the UAE, where customers often expect their performance cars to combine everyday usability with long-distance capability. Its elevated driving position, four proper seats, substantial luggage capacity and ability to cope with different road conditions make it considerably more versatile than Ferrari’s traditional two-seat or 2+2 models.

Yet versatility has not diluted its identity. The naturally aspirated V12, sophisticated chassis and unmistakable Ferrari design ensure that the Purosangue remains first and foremost a driver's car.

The Ferrari Purosangue is not simply Ferrari’s answer to the luxury performance SUV. It is Ferrari deliberately creating something different. By combining a high-revving V12, four-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, active suspension, four genuine seats and everyday usability, it occupies a category almost entirely of its own.

For drivers who want the emotion and performance of a Ferrari without giving up comfort and practicality, the Purosangue offers an extraordinary solution. It may have four doors and a higher ride height, but behind the wheel, its character remains unmistakably Ferrari.