2012 Ferrari FF

The 81st Geneva International Motor Show played host to the unveiling of two major new Prancing Horse innovations: the revolutionary FF, a four-wheel drive four-seater with a mid-front V12 that is the most powerful and versatile car Ferrari has ever built.

The revolutionary FF offers a completely new take on the sporting Grand Tourer theme. It is not only the first Ferrari with four-wheel drive, but, more significantly, a model that hails a major break with the past, effortlessly melding extreme sports car performance with the versatility and usability of a genuine GT and boasting an extremely innovative design.

Every single area of the FF brims with innovation, not least its engine, the first GDI V12 to be coupled with the seven-speed F1 dual-clutch gearbox. The V12 unleashes a massive 660 CV at 8,000 rpm, and maximum torque of 683 Nm at 6,000 rpm with 500 Nm already available at just 1,000 rpm. This ensures the performance figures of an extreme sports car, with the 0-100 km/h sprint covered in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 335 km/h. Efficiency has been significantly boosted too, with fuel consumption now standing at just 15.4 litres per 100 km, and CO2 emissions at 360 g/km, a 25 per cent reduction compared to the previous V12s, thanks in part to the HELE (High Emotions- Low Emissions) System which incorporates Stop&Start technology.

Úniquely, the FF also guarantees this exceptional performance on terrain with very low grip coefficients, thanks to Ferrari's own patented 4RM four-wheel drive system. Torque is still delivered by the rear wheels, but the PTÚ (Power Transfer Únit) ensures that as much as is required is also transferred to the front wheels when necessary on low grip surfaces. The FF intelligently distributes torque to each of the four wheels individually, thanks to the fact that all of the dynamic vehicle controls (E-Diff, F1-Trac and PTÚ) have been integrated into a single CPÚ.

Exceptional sporty driving is guaranteed by the FF's transaxle architecture (mid-front engine with gearbox over the rear axle) and the positioning of 53% of weight to the rear of the car. Meticulous attention has been taken in lightening the engine (new castings), bodyshell (new aluminium alloys and production processes) and a host of other components. The interior has also been optimised through the use of high-tech materials such as magnesium for the seats. Third generation Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes are now lighter and longer-lasting, with virtually negligible wear during normal use on the road. All of these innovations have combined to produce an absolutely exceptional weight-power ratio of 2.7 kg/CV, a new benchmark for this kind of car.

Styled by Pininfarina, the FF's lines effortlessly reflect its signature uncompromising balance of sportiness and versatility. It can comfortably accommodate four in its bodyhugging seats and spacious cabin. Its 450 litre boot can also be extended to 800 litres as the rear seats fold down independently. This means that the FF offers more luggage space not only than any other car in its category, but also many four-door saloons, too.

Everything aboard the FF is tailored specifically to the needs and tastes of its driver with a choice of six exclusive colours and the finest Frau aniline leathers specially treated to enhance their natural softness. The FF's exceptional specification enhances in-car enjoyment for all four occupants. Features include a new rear-seat infotainment system with two screens for watching TV and DVD and a 1,280 Watt, 16-channel stereo system with Quantumlogic Surround Sound.

Source - Ferrari

The FF: the Ferrari Four. The name originates from the four-seat and four wheel drive arrangement in this totally new shooting brake GT sport car. Previously, there have been one-off Ferrari shooting brakes, but never before has this body style been offered as a regular model in the Ferrari lineup. As alluded to by its name, this model is also the first Ferrari to be offered with four wheel drive.

This system, called the 4RM (quattro ruote motrici) comprises a very unique solution to the problem of distributing power to all four wheels. During its development, Ferrari had the objectives of keeping the engine position low in the chassis - conventional systems require the front driveshaft to pass under the engine, thus increasing height - and achieving aggressive weight targets. These objectives were achieved by driving the rear axle by a standard rear wheel driveshaft and transaxle, yet driving the front axle off of the front of the engine through a unique Ferrari patented power transfer unit.

Inside the PTU, a system of gearbox ratios and two independent carbon-fiber oil-bath wet multi-plate clutches transfer the desired torque to the front wheels allowing an amazing amount of traction and control. Additionally, a completely new V-12 engine displacing 6.2L and producing 660 horsepower and 503 ft-lbs of torque propel this 4-seater GT car to 62 mph in a scant 3.7 second. It has a take-your-breath-away top speed of 208 mph.

Ferrari at the 2011 Paris Air Show

Le Bourget, June 21, 2011 – The 49th Paris Air Show was chosen by Boeing for the debut of a number of important new models, and Ferrari was the co-star with its latest flagship sports car, the FF and the Ferrari California.

Alongside the new 787-8 Dreamliner on the Le Bourget runway is a Ferrari Four, the Prancing Horse's most recent model which incorporates the latest innovations to provide benchmark interior space, performance and fuel efficiency.

Also featuring at the Paris Air Show was another important new Boeing, the 747-8 Freighter, which has just completed the first transatlantic flight of a large commercial airplane powered by a biofuel blend. Pictured with the Freighter is a Ferrari California, which easily fits into the front cargo area accessed via the hinged nose.

Source - Ferrari

'Ferrari Four' Debuts in South Korea

Ferrari launched the new FF in South Korea, its first four-seater, four-wheel-drive model in Ferrari's history. FMK Corporation, the official importer for Ferrari in Korea, held an exciting launch event for the new FF at Banyan Tree Club & Spa, a luxurious five-star resort located in downtown Seoul, announcing that it will officially start sales of the FF in Korea. The entrance to the venue displayed the balance of the Ferrari range including the 599 GTB Fiorano, 458 Italia, and California specified with 'Atelier' showcasing the best of Ferrari's options.

The launch event opened with traditional Korean welcoming music and parade known as ‘Cheeta', a fanfare of traditional trumpets and Korean drums, before the unveiling of a magnificent 'Rosso Maranello' FF. The first event was the press conference attended by 100 Korean journalists eager to view Ferrari's new flagship model. This was followed by an evening event where over 100 customers and prospects attended the launch party showing great enthusiasm for the unveiling of the new FF.

Special guests participating in the event included Mr Enrico Galliera, Senior Vice President in Commercial & Marketing of Ferrari, and Mr Simon Inglefield, Regional Head of Ferrari for the Asia Pacific region. They were both impressed by FMK Corporation's commitment to Ferrari and their Korean customers, as well as, their confidence in presenting the FF to the Korean market.

Mr. Galliera said, 'I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your strong passion and support for Ferrari over the past years and we are confident that you will all appreciate the sensational new FF.' Mr Young-Sik Kim, acting CEO of FMK Corporation, said 'The high-performance FF is the most practical and luxurious model in the history of the Ferrari brand. It asserts what the ‘Extreme GT' is all about.'

Source - Ferrari

FF conquers two awards in Shanghai

The FF - one of the main protagonists at the Auto Shanghai 2011, which closed its doors a couple of days ago – set two records by conquering two awards from the prestigious Chinese news outlets Car&Driver and Oriental TV.

The renowned Car&Driver magazine – with its commission made up of opinion leaders from the automotive sector, design, fashion and arts – honoured the FF with the title 'Most Beautiful Super Car 2011', due to its blend of originality and beauty regarding its design, use of avant-garde technology and excellence in terms of manufacturing quality.

Furthermore, based on a survey amongst the public and professionals present at the Shanghai Car Show, the Oriental TV network, one of Chinas' biggest networks, nominated the FF 'Most Popular Imported Car Model at 2011 Shanghai Auto Show', emphasising the enormous allure of the Prancing Horse on an important market like China.

Not even two months after the FF's presentation the latest model from the Prancing Horse can already celebrate an enormous success regarding clients and reviews, underlined by magnificent comments from the press after the test sessions in Südtirol, where more then 200 journalists from all over the world had the possibility to drive the car under challenging conditions.

Source - Ferrari

FF protagonist in the Dolomites

The International Media Test Drive road test of the new FF on the roads in Südtirol are in full flow for the specialised media from all over the world, getting to now the revolutionary V12 four-seater with four-wheel drive from Ferrari. From over 200 invited journalists almost half drove the car on the challenging snow track at Kronplatz, the winding and spectacular roads of Gardena, Sella, Pordoi and Campolongo, in the city centres of Bruneck and Brixen as well as on a stretch of the motorway.

Different backdrops reflecting the versatile usability of the new FF, thanks to the 4RM system to tackle any sort of situation and grip conditions, guaranteeing highest performance level and top driving pleasure. The interior, combined with the capacity of 450 litres (expandable to 800) allowed journalists, photographers and cameramen to get into the car together with their relatively bulky gear, for the joy of all people involved.

Meanwhile the FF receives top votes from the media all over the world, enjoying the innovative technical solution of the cars 4RM four-wheel drive system with the handling of a super Granturismo. Also performance, elasticity and the engine outlet impress a lot, combined with the F1 double-clutch gearbox: technological content Ferrari took to the highest level.

The test drive, where so far ÚS-american and European journalists took part, will continue over the next days with the arrival of media representatives from the Middle and Far East and will end by mid-April.

Source - Ferrari