2012 All-New Ferrari FF Shows Up, To Debut In Geneva

The all-new Ferrari FF sports car has been unveiled ahead of its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. An acronym for Ferrari Four, the FF is the Italian automaker's first attempt at a production four-wheel-drive model, and the most powerful four-seater Ferrari to date. Sales are expected to start shortly after its Geneva appearance.

Designed by Pininfarina, the FF succeeds the 612 Scaglietti 2+2 coupe, but is intended to attract a wider audience with the extra versatility offered by the four-wheel-drive system and the extra space including room for four adults and boot capacity between 450–800 litres.

Measuring 4907 mm long, 1953 mm wide and 1379 mm tall, the FF is taller than the 612 but almost equally long and wide. More importantly, the FF manages to be lighter than the 612 despite the addition of the on-demand four-wheel-drive system, which, Ferrari claims, weighs 50 percent less compared with similar systems.

Driving dynamics are not compromised, however, as the front-engined FF maintains Ferrari's preferred front/rear (47%/53%) weight distribution, and offers the latest magnetically-adjustable suspension and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. The drivetrain consists of a 6.3-litre V12, with 660 hp at 8000 rpm and 683 Nm at 6000 rpm, paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

With 120 hp and 95 Nm more than the 612, the FF accelerates from rest to 100 km/h half a second faster in 3.7 seconds, and eventually reaches 15 km/h more hitting 335 km/h. The improved performance does not come at the expense of efficiency: the FF consumes 6.5 km/litre of petrol and emits 360 grams/km of carbon dioxide, bettering the 612's 4.9 km/litre and 470 grams/km.