Ferrari Purosangue: luxury SUV arrives in Dubai

The Prancing Horse brand's first attempt at a 4x4-style vehicle got its first showing in the shadows of the Museum of the Future

The Ferrari Purosangue in Dubai. All photos: Ferrari Middle East

The Middle East is seen as a key market for the Purosangue.

Ready for the charge.

The covers are off.

Inside the cabin.

The Purosangue is Ferrari's forst foray into SUV territory.

Room a-plenty in the rear.

Twin exhaust pipes on the Purosangue.

On stage in Dubai.

Roomy, but not a people mover.

The crowd get their first up-close look.

The door set up on the Purosangue.

The Purosangue in its Italian home.

Ferrari has launched the Purosangue in the Middle East, its first foray into the luxury SUV market.

At a glitzy event in Dubai, the Prancing Horse brand’s first four-door, four-seater was revealed in the shadows of the Museum of the Future.

This is the first time people in the region got to see the car after its worldwide launch last month. Ferrari says the speed with which the model has made it to Emirati shores underlines the importance of the region to the brand’s global sales programme.

After its grand unveiling, Abu Dhabi got a look next as the Purosangue was transported to Yas Marina Circuit for a series of special viewings at the first race of the Passione Ferrari Club Challenge Middle East 2022/2023 season.

Spec-wise, there is an inordinate amount of power, even by luxury SUV standards. The Purosangue has been fitted with a naturally-aspirated 6.5-litre V12 engine capable of producing 725 horsepower.

And all that will see you get to 100 kilometres per hour from a standing start in 3.3 seconds.

The Purosangue, which translates as "thoroughbred" in its native Italian, features rear-hinged, coach-style doors at the back — called suicide doors in the trade — that have been fitted to make it easier to access the car while preserving a two-door appearance.

On stage in Dubai.

The front and rear seats are individual bucket jobs, giving a further sense that the car is hanging onto its sporty credentials wherever possible.

This does mean there is no room for a fifth passenger. Unsurprisingly, the interior is swathed in Ferrari-quality materials, so the car is also still very luxurious.

There is a 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster and a separate 10.2-inch screen for whoever is travelling in the front passenger seat.

It does come at a cost though, as prices start at about Dh1.7 million.

How Ferrari creates $5 million models — and who is allowed to buy them

Ferrari's Special Projects programme customises cars only for 'our very best customers', says Emanuele Carando, Ferrari’s head of product marketing. All photos: Ferrari

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Ferrari BR20: derived from the GTC4 Lusso, distinguishing features of the BR20 include a sleeker roofline, angry-looking headlights and a grille topped by a carbon-fibre 'moustache'.

Ferrari P80/C: derived from the 488 GT3, the P80/C is inspired in part by the 1965 Le Mans 24 Hours-winning 250 LM.

Ferrari Omologata: derived from the 812 Superfast, this futuristic-looking car is inspired by Ferrari’s racing heritage as well as by elements of sci-fi and modern architecture.

Ferrari SP48 Unica: derived from the F8 Tributo, USPs include the extensive use of 3D prototyping and the elimination of the rear screen.

Ferrari SP12 EC: derived from a 458 Italia, this one was made for Eric Clapton.

Carando, middle, with Ferrari design director Flavio Manzoni, right, and Gautam Sharma for The National.