| Ferrari FF | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ferrari |
| Model code | Type F151 |
| Production | 2011–2016 |
| Assembly | Italy:Maranello |
| Designer | Lowie Vermeersch atPininfarina andFlavio Manzoni at Ferrari Styling Centre |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Body style | 3-doorshooting brake |
| Layout | Front mid-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related | Ferrari F12berlinetta |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6,262 cc (382.1 cu in; 6.262 L)F140 EBV12 |
| Transmission | 7-speeddual-clutch |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,990 mm (117.7 in)[1] |
| Length | 4,907 mm (193.2 in)[2] |
| Width | 1,953 mm (76.9 in)[2] |
| Height | 1,379 mm (54.3 in)[2] |
| Kerb weight | 1,880 kg (4,145 lb)[3] |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ferrari 612 Scaglietti |
| Successor | Ferrari GTC4Lusso |
TheFerrari FF (Type F151) is agrand touring car that was produced by the Italian carmakerFerrari from 2011 to 2016. The successor to the612 Scaglietti, the FF—whose name is anacronym for "Ferrari Four"[a]—is a three-doorshooting brake. Development of the FF began in 2007, and it debuted at theGeneva International Motor Show in March 2011; production started in the same month inMaranello, Italy. Designed under the direction ofLowie Vermeersch andFlavio Manzoni, the FF shares parts, mainly the engine, with theF12berlinetta—acoupé that was introduced one year after the FF.
Upon its release, the FF was the world's fastest four-seater car and Ferrari's second-fastest grand tourer after the599 GTO. The FF features a 6.3 LV12 engine that produces a power output of 490 kW (650 hp) and atorque output of 683 N⋅m (504 lb⋅ft), sufficient to give the car a maximum speed of 335 km/h (208 mph) and a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration of 3.7 seconds. Itstransmission is a seven-speeddual-clutch. The FF has received positive reviews from critics, who appreciate its design but criticise its steep price. The recipient of numerous awards, includingTop Gear's Estate Car of the Year in 2011, the FF was succeeded by theGTC4Lusso in 2016.
The Italian carmaker[5][6]Ferrari began development of a successor to the612 Scaglietti in 2007.[7] Work on the upcomingshooting brake car began under the direction ofFlavio Manzoni andLowie Vermeersch, the latter of whom served as former Design Director atPininfarina. Although Ferrari initially wanted the car developed from thePininfarina Sintesi, a concept car, the project was transferred toItaldesign, which presented an angular proposal. It eventually returned to Pininfarina for further development.[7] Other developments took place at Ferrari's Styling Centre.[8]
Ferrari debuted the FF at theGeneva International Motor Show in March 2011.[9][10] Officialmanufacture began in the same month[11] at their facility inMaranello.[12][13] At launch, Ferrari announced that it would produce 800 FF units annually. The carmaker further stated that the entire first year's production run had already been sold out.[13][14] Upon its release, the FF became the world's fastest four-seater car and Ferrari's second-fastest grand tourer after the599 GTO.[1][15] It was produced at the Maranello facility until it was discontinued in 2016 after a production run of five years during which 2,291 units had been built.[16] It was succeeded by theGTC4Lusso.[17][18]
The name "FF" is an acronym for "Ferrari Four",[19] highlighting its four-wheel drive capability.[4] The FF reflects thedesign language of contemporary Ferrari models, incorporating the distinctive pulled-backheadlights of the458 Italia and the twin circulartail-lights found on both the 458 and the599 GTB Fiorano.[20][21] The FF incorporates a predominantlyspace frame construction and—like all contemporary Ferraris—is made fromaluminium. This design, compared to its predecessor, reduces weight by five per cent and increasestorsional rigidity by six per cent.[2][22]
The FF is agrand touring car[23][24] with three doors and four seats.[25][26] The FF's seven-speeddual-clutch automaticgearbox is positioned at the rear of the car, contributing to itsweight distribution of 47 per cent at the front and 53 per cent at the rear. The electronic reardifferential is built into the gearbox housing, and allchassis andpowertrain control systems—including the magnetic adaptive shocks,stability control, and electronic differential—are combined into a single module.[27] The FF's design is largely influenced by the need to manageairflow efficiently over and around its body. The FF has significant aerodynamicdownforce, improving road grip at higher speeds, most prominently visible in the split-leveldiffuser at the rear, which features anaerofoil-shaped centre element. This comes at the cost of a relatively high drag coefficient of Cd=0.329. Vents along the sides and rear direct air out of thewheel wells and around the car, helping minimise lift and drag.[2]
The four-wheel drive system in the FF is referred to as "4RM" (four ruote motrici—Italian for 4WD).[28] At 41 kilograms (90 lb), it weighs fifty per cent less than traditional methods, helping maintain a lowcentre of gravity.[2] This system uses a secondary gearbox to channel power from the front of the engine. The front gearbox is geared six per cent longer than the rear's first gear and six per cent longer than the rear's fourth gear (reverse is the same). Thus, the front gearbox's first gear covers the rear's first and second gears, while its second gear covers the rear's third and fourth gears. Power is transmitted through two electronically controlled, hydraulic wet multiplateclutches, located on the driver's side of the front transmission, one for each wheel. These clutches adjust slip to match the speed of the rear wheels and enabletorque vectoring for side-to-side power distribution.[29]
The FF features a 6,262 cc (6.3 L; 382.1 cu in)naturally aspirateddirect injectionV12 engine.[30][31][32] It produces a power output of 485 kW (660 PS; 651 hp) at 8,000 rpm and atorque output of 683 N⋅m (504 lb⋅ft), sufficient to give the car a maximum speed of 335 km/h (208 mph) and a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration of 3.7 seconds.[33][34] The FF shares its engine with theF12berlinetta, a coupé introduced in 2012.[35] The car's suspension is known as the "SCM3", amagnetorheological self-adjusting damping system. The FF includesBrembo'scarbon ceramic brakes.[36][37] The FF has aCO2 output of 360 grams per kilometre (20 oz/mi) and afuel consumption figure of 15.4 litres per 100 kilometres (18.3 mpg‑imp; 15.3 mpg‑US).[38]
The shooting brake design, with its folding rear seats, gives the Ferrari FF aboot capacity of 450 litres (16 cu ft), which can be expanded to 800 litres (28 cu ft) when the rear seats are lowered.[39] A one-off model based on the FF, known as the SP FFX, was introduced in 2014, featuring a custom body with a coupé-style rear end instead of the FF's shooting brake design.[40] Commissioned by a customer in Japan, it was built by Ferrari's special vehicles division to a design by Pininfarina. Early patent drawings of the SP FFX led to speculation that it was the design for the next-generationFerrari California.[40][41]
The FF has received primarily positive reviews, some publications describing the car as a "Ferrari for the whole family".[42][43] In 2011Jeremy Clarkson, reviewing forThe Sunday Times, found the FF "a very special, very fast car, with a dollop of practicality and a four-wheel drive system that may not add much". He noted that while the front design is "fantastic" and the side view is "wonderful", he found the rear to be lacking, describing it as "hopeless" and bland", suggesting that "Kia does a better job".[44] David Undercoffler, in a 2013 review for theLos Angeles Times, stated that the FF "represents the next evolution in a long line of grand touring cars from Ferrari, as opposed to more high-strung sports cars such the mid-engined 458, designed with race-car handling foremost in mind".[45] Ezra Dyer fromThe New York Times described the FF as "a daring car" and praised the "confidence it represents".[46]
Forbes' Hannah Elliot called the FF "the most perfectly balanced car [she could] ever remember driving".[47]The Wall Street Journal writerDan Neil characterised the FF as a "car that despises prettiness and mocks your bourgeois notions of sleek andrakish",[48] while in another review he described the FF as "the coolest Ferrari of all time", commending its impressive performance without concern for aesthetics.[1] The FF was labelled as "docile" and "user-friendly" byMotor Trend's Patrick Hoey, who also appreciated its light steering, but criticised its "ignition key that must be turned before the start button will operate" and its steep price.[49]
The FF is the recipient of numerous accolades. At theShanghai Motor Show, the Chinese-languageCar and Driver awarded the FF with the Most Beautiful Super Car of 2011.[50] That year, the magazineTop Gear gave the FF the Estate Car of the Year.[51]Top Gear India awarded the FF with the Luxury Car of the Year 2012.[52]
