The first photographs of Ferrari’s new FF, the four-seater, four-wheel-drive V12 which will be unveiled at Geneva in March, have appeared on the official Ferrari website.

More revolution than evolution, this is the Prancing Horse’s first ever four-wheel-drive car – as well as promising to be the company’s “most powerful, versatile four-seater ever”. Designed by Pininfarina, the shape and proportions aim to interpret the FF’s blend of ‘sporting DNA’ and ‘extraordinary usability’.

The radical new 4WD system is Ferrari’s own, exclusive, patented technology. The 4RM (as they call it) apparently weighs 50 per cent less than a conventional system, helping to maintain near-perfect weight distribution (53 per cent over the rear axle).

Torque is sent to the four wheels via ‘continuous and intelligent predictive’ distribution, integrated with the car’s electronic dynamic control systems. The new FF also has the latest in magnetorheological damping, plus carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo. Unsurprisingly, there’s a vast array of personalisation options, too, including six model-specific exterior colours.

But a Ferrari is not a Ferrari without extreme performance, and this comes from the new 660HP 6262cc direct injection engine, mated to a transaxle dual-clutch F1 gearbox. 0-62mph acceleration in 3.7 seconds is the claimed result. And of course, you can demonstrate the FF’s prowess with three passengers and all their luggage aboard, thanks to the best-in-class cabin space and boot capacity of 450 litres, extendable to 800 litres. Not bad.

Text: Charis Whitcombe
Photos: Ferrari