This is it. This is Ferrari's first four-wheel-drive model, called — the FF (Ferrari Four). The new Prancing Stallion with the super-sized rear end will replace Ferrari's 612 Scaglietti flagship. See, told ya it'd be a shooting brake.
Powering all four wheels is a naturally-aspirated 6.3-liter V12 direct injection engine, with 651bhp (at 8000 rpm) and 504 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to motivate the 3,946 lb. FF from 0-to-62 MPH in 3.7 seconds, with a top speed of 208 MPH.
Somehow we think it probably won't hit that speed with four in the seats and a boot full of luggage.
The FF features the company's first ever four-wheel drive system. Ferrari claims its 4RM (four-wheel drive) weighs 50% less than a conventional four-wheel drive system, maintaining a rear-biased weight distribution (53 per cent over the rear axle).
Completely integrated with the car's electronic dynamic control systems, the four-wheel drive technology delivers performance on all terrains and in all conditions via continuous predictive torque distribution to all four wheels.
The FF is also equipped with the latest magnetorheological damping system (SCM3), as well as the most recent development in carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo. More to come shortly.
For the moment, here's some video Ferrari put together from the car's various development drives. It features more soaring crescendos than a Michael Bay-directed robot movie. Watching it is like mainlining coffee and awesome. Which is sorta how I expect Ferrari wants us to feel about the FF.
I wasn't sure initially how I felt about this Ferrari for families, but now I really dig it. It kinda makes me feel all funny inside — like I want to lick this breadvan, take it home to snuggle with it — and then give it a pet nickname. Maybe "Z3M." But that's just me. What say you?