Its official, Ferrari is making an SUV! The Italian supercar manufacturer that makes some of the most desirable four wheeled vehicles on the planet had until now stuck to their word and stated that they will never make an SUV to dilute the brand's image. Although the decision to make SUVs might annoy the Ferrarista around the world, it is actually a great thing. Porsche, a thoroughbred supercar manufacturer was in almost dire straits until it launched the Cayenne over a decade and a half ago. And since then, Porsche has showcased some of the best driving cars in the world mainly due to the profits that the likes of the Cayenne and the smaller Macan brings. Similarly, Lamborghini, makers of some of the world's most extreme supercars have also gone down the SUV route with the upcoming Urus, which is slated to double the manufacturer's sales.
According to sources like Jalopnik, Ferrari's new SUV has been codenamed F16X and will be based on the all-wheel-drive GTC4 Lusso and will be launched in 2021. The report also goes on to explain how Ferrari claims the SUV will not be termed an SUV in the pure sense of the word. Instead, rumours suggest that Ferrari has invented a new nomenclature for the vehicle instead - FUV or Ferrari Utility Vehicle. Considering the fact that the new SUV will be based on the GTC4 Lusso platform, expect it to get the same range topping V12 engine from the GT sportscar and also the Twin Turbo V8 that does duty in the GTC4 Lusso T.
In terms of design, the Jalopnik report suggests that Ferrari is going the coupe SUV styling route instead of the upright stance that the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and the Bentley Bentayga. Knowing Ferrari, they will also try and make the SUV the fastest one in the world with the most amount of horsepower. The power might be derived from either a standard naturally aspirated or turbocharged internal combustion engine or a combination of electrification/hybrid technology. That said, just like the LaFerrari hypercar, expect a KERS or Kynetic Energy Recovery System based electric solution instead of conventional hybrid technology and heavy batteries.
