Former Ferrari CEO, Amedeo Felisa, as soon as advised me that he didn’t actually care what the press considered his automobiles and thought of it virtually pointless to allow us to have a go when your entire manufacturing run was bought out earlier than we’d even been handed the keys.

The 2-year order financial institution for the corporate’s new Purosangue crossover was achieved earlier than anybody had revealed a single driving impression however loads of us do care whether or not Ferrari’s first manufacturing four-door automobile is any good, regardless of most likely by no means having the ability to afford to purchase one. And even Felisa admitted that house owners preferred the validation of their buy determination that got here from seeing optimistic evaluations for a automobile revealed after the very fact. So at this time is a giant day. As we speak the primary unbiased media evaluations dropped to assist us reply that burning query: is the Purosangue any good?

To briefly recap, the Purosangue (which Ferrari doggedly refuses to discuss with as an SUV) is decrease and sleeker than its boxy rivals, and as an alternative of the twin-turbo V8 and auto ’field configuration most of them use, is powered by a naturally aspirated, non-hybrid 6.5-liter V12 mated to a rear-mounted dual-clutch transmission. It additionally has electrically opening, rear-hinged rear doorways and prices over $400,000 together with vacation spot prices and the fuel guzzler tax – and that’s earlier than you’ve even thought of the choices record.

There’s loads of reward for the 715 hp (725 PS) V12, which has been tuned to ship 80 p.c of its 528 lb-ft (716 Nm) peak torque at 2,100 rpm, making it appropriate for hauling round a circa 4,800-lb (2,180 kg) with-fluids-and-driver machine. However not everybody appears to agree on how good it sounds.

Associated: New Ferrari Purosangue Begins At $398,350, Almost Twice The Worth Of A Lambo Urus

Motor Pattern says “the purr evolves into an outright shriek, a tsunami of trebly howls,” because the V12 piles on revs, however Automobile & Driver reckons the noise, whereas fairly, is usually stored “to a boring roar,” and thinks that aftermarket exhaust suppliers will do a brisk commerce in uncorking extra music. 

There’s some griping concerning the variety of buttons on each the entrance and bottom of the steering wheel and the “fiddly” infotainment system, the small-ish trunk, and poor visibility ensuing from thick C-pillars. However the journey consolation, physique management, steering (much less frenetic than in Ferrari’s sports activities automobiles), and rear passenger lodging, all get a thumbs up.

Summing up, Prime Gear says the Purosangue is the one SUV that deserves the Sport-Utility tag, which Porsche Cayenne GT house owners may take situation with, and TG, Autocar, and Motor Pattern say it nonetheless seems like a Ferrari, regardless of the extra doorways, weight, and journey top. C&D goes even additional, saying that whereas each Purosangue purchaser will seemingly additionally have the ability to afford a 296 as a companion, in the event you might solely get one Ferrari, the SUV ought to be it. That ought to preserve the journal’s letters web page busy for some time…