Ferrari's big break with the past

Ferrari's stunning new FF. Photo / Supplied

Meet the Ferrari FF, the Italian carmaker's first four-wheel-drive car and the replacement for the 612 Scaglietti.

The newcomer's FF handle is an acronym for Ferrari Four, for four seats as well as four-wheel-drive.

It will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show as the company's most powerful four-seater ever. More details about the car will be revealed then.

At 4907mm, it is fractionally longer than a Holden Commodore. Under the bonnet is a 6.3-litre direct-injection V12 delivering a claimed 485kW at 8000rpm and 683Nm at 6000rpm.

Ferrari says the FF gets from zero to 100km/h in 3.7sec and on to a top speed of 336km/h. The 612 Scaglietti managed the sprint in 4sec and hit 322km/h flat out.

Drive is fed via a transaxle-mounted dual-clutch F1 gearbox but the big news is the FF's patented four-wheel-drive system.

Called 4RM, Ferrari claims the system weighs 50 per cent less than a conventional all-wheel-drive transmission, and helps to maintain a 47:53 front-rear weight distribution, although it is yet to say whether the system features conventional driveshafts or uses electric motors to power the front wheels.

Ferrari is working on a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain for various models, showing off the technology in last year's Ferrari Hy-KERS concept car.

The Ferrari FF's four-wheel-drive underpinnings indicate the platform is ready to take a hybrid system where the front wheels would use electric power in cities and rear drive would be traditional Ferrari petrol performance.

While it's more economical than the 612 Scaglietti it will replace, the Ferrari FF still uses a claimed town-and-around fuel consumption of 15.4 litres/100km or 18mpg.

Ferrari says the FF is a decisive break with the past. The car's rear-end styling is evidence of that, with a rump that brings back memories of BMW's Z3 coupe of 1999-2002.

"The new car represents not so much an evolution as a true revolution," says Ferrari.

"This new V12 melds to an unprecedented level an extremely sporty, high-performance character with incredible versatility, superb comfort and sophisticated elegance, guaranteeing both driver and passengers an absolutely unique driving experience."

The FF is expected to appear in Australia this year.

Ferrari is not talking pricing but Australian reports say buyers won't get much change from A$900,000 ($1.17 million).

Ferrari is holding more than 10 Australian orders for the FF.

Australia and New Zealand Ferrari public relations executive Edward Rowe says: "What has become very clear over the past decade or so is that Ferrari owners want to be able to use their cars over a much wider range of conditions.

"They want to be able to use it more often. This car - with the combination of the space, flexibility and 4WD system - means it is just as happy doing a track day as it is going on a skiing holiday."