Ferrari FF
| Ferrari FF | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ferrari |
| Production | 2011- |
| Designer | Pininfarina[1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Body style | 3-door shooting-brake |
| Layout | FM4 layout[2] |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.3 L V12 |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,949 mm (116.1 in) |
| Length | 4,907 mm (193.2 in) .[3] |
| Width | 1,953 mm (76.9 in)[3] |
| Height | 1,379 mm (54.3 in)[3] |
| Curb weight | 1,790 kg (3,946 lb)[3] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ferrari 612 Scaglietti |
The Ferrari FF (FF meaning "Ferrari Four", for four seats and four-wheel drive) is a grand tourer revealed by Ferrari on January 21, 2011. The official presentation was made on March 1, 2011 in Geneva Motor Show.[1] It is unusual on two points: it is Ferrari's first production four-wheel drive model, and Ferrari's first production shooting-brake. It will replace the 612 Scaglietti. The FF has a top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph) and it accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds.[3] Ferrari states that the FF is the world's fastest four-seat automobile.[4] The FF sells for $300,000 USD,[5] with 800 being produced during the first year.[6]
The elements within its name, FF, clearly show that Ferrari intends this car to be much more usable than either its predecessor, the 612, or its stablemates: its four-wheel drive system will allow the car to be driven in relatively hazardous driving scenarios, such as heavy rain or snow, while its four seats, coupled with the vastly expanded boot space courtesy of the shooting brake design, make it much more practical.
Specifications
Engine
The Ferrari FF has the largest capacity Ferrari engine ever produced: a 6,262 cc (6.3 L; 382.1 cu in) naturally aspirated direct injected 65° V12, which produces 660 PS (485 kW; 651 hp) at 8,000 rpm and 683 N⋅m (504 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6000 rpm.[3]
Transmission
The FF is equipped with a 7-speed double-clutch semi-automatic paddle shift system similar to the California and 458 Italia.[2]
Four wheel drive system
The new four-wheel drive system, engineered and patented by Ferrari, is called 4RM: it is around 50% lighter than a conventional system, and provides power intelligently to each of the four wheels as needed.[1] It only functions when the manettino dial on the steering wheel is in the "comfort" or "snow" positions, leaving the car most often in the traditional rear wheel drive layout.[7]
This system is based around a second, simple, gearbox (gears and other components built by Carraro, taking power from the front of the engine. This gearbox (designated "power take off unit", or PTU) has only two forward gears (2nd and 4th) plus reverse (with gear ratios 6% taller than the corresponding ratios in the main gearbox), so the system is only active in 1st to 4th gears. The connection between this gearbox and each front wheel is via independent haldex-type clutches, without a differential.[8] Due to the difference in ratios "the clutches continually slip"[9] and only transmit, at most, 20% of the engine's torque. A detailed description of the system (based on a conversation with Roberto Fedeli, Ferrari's technical director) has been published.[7]
Design
Exterior
The Ferrari FF has design features that mark it out as being unmistakeably modern Ferrari. Its headlights are almost identical to the 458 Italia,[2] with which - along with the 599 GTB - it also shares the twin circular tail-light element, a clear break from an established pattern since previous Ferraris, from the 2006 F430 to the 1975 308, had four tail-lights. Like the 599, it also has four exhaust pipes, as well as a large egg-crate frontal grille. That the FF is more closely related to the 458 becomes apparent when one examines its side skirts, which are clearly creased and defined; its body surfacing is more definitely contoured. The most striking feature of the FF, however, is its shooting-brake design.
Interior
The combination of hatchback-like shooting-brake design and collapsible rear seats gives the Ferrari FF a boot capacity of between 450 litres (16 cu ft) to 800 litres (28 cu ft).[2]
References
- ^ a b c "21.01.2011 Ferrari offers a first look at its shock new four seater". italiaspeed.com. Retrieved 2011-01-22.
- ^ a b c d "Four-wheel-drive Ferrari shooting brake revealed". topgear.com. BBC Top Gear. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ferrari's fantastic four-wheel-drive FF flagship four-seat fastback". autoblog.com. Retrieved 2011-01-21.
- ^ Vettraino, J.P. (May 2, 2011). "Shout it from the Mountaintops". AutoWeek. 61 (9): 27–30.
- ^ Neil, Dan (April 2, 2011). "The Coolest Ferrari Ever—Drive Carefully". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 30, 2011.
- ^ DeLorenzo, Matt (2011). "2012 Ferrari FF: A Ferrari for all seasons". Road & Track. 62 (10): 32, 34.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ a b Jason Kavanagh (March 11, 2011). "IL Geek-Out: Ferrari FF 4RM All Wheel-Drive System". Edmund's Inside Line. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
- ^ Andrew English (6:30AM GMT 24 Mar 2011). "Ferrari FF review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Dan Strong (March 2011). "Ferrari FF". Autoexpress. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
External links
Media related to Ferrari FF at Wikimedia Commons