Ferrari explains unique all-wheel drive system in the new FF

Ferrari’s all-new shooting brake FF has garnered a fair bit of attention for its unconventional styling and its addition of all-wheel drive to the prancing horse brand, but now we have a video explaining the details of the later.

Although void of audible commentary, Ferrari’s video does use captions to fairly clearly explain how the AWD system found in the FF is unique, and beneficial compared to traditional systems. One of the main highlights is the reduction in weight of 50 percent compared to a traditional AWD setup, along with faster reaction times.

The Ferrari FF

Ferrari has long built its reputation on delivering extreme performance in two-door, rear-wheel drive sports coupes and cabriolets. But with the introduction of the FF, Ferrari appears to be taking an entirely new direction, likely forced by the addition of the Porsche Panamera and the Aston Martin Rapide, except Ferrari decided to tackle the four-seater (with actual room for four) question a bit differently.

For starters, the FF still retains the two-door layout, unlike the Rapide and Panamera which adopted four full doors and a more generous rear seating area than the shooting brake FF. But, the Ferrari seems to have been developed with an entirely new approach in mind – on and off road style driving in snow and rain, thanks to the first-ever application of all-wheel drive in a production Ferrari.

When watching the official video by Ferrari, it is very clear that the Italian automaker is aiming to strongly emphasize the addition of AWD, showing the FF crashing through snow entirely off of paved roads, and then through intense downpour on the streets, followed then by rally-like sprinting over a dirt trail.

In many ways, the FF looks like one of the mega-buck one-off designs commissioned by extravagantly wealthy sheiks, but this new model is set to be a volume offering – at least by Ferrari standards. The FF nomenclature derives from “Ferrari Four-seater,” meaning that this shooting brake has plenty of room for extra passengers and their cargo. Its long roofline hides a nearly 16 cubic foot cargo area that can be extended to more than 28 cubic feet with the second row of seats tumbled away.

All-wheel-drive arrives

The FF debuts Ferrari’s new 4RM all-wheel-drive system, which weighs in at about half that of a conventional all-wheel-drive system used in rivals bearing the Lamborghini and Porsche badges. Ferrari says that the FF tips the scales at under 4,000 lbs., meaning that even though it puts power to all four wheels and features an elongated roofline, it weighs around 100 lbs. less than the 612.

The light weight system helps keep weight distribution at 47/53 between the front and rear axles.

Ferrari says that the FF is powered by a 6.3-liter V12 that cranks out 651 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 504 lb-ft. of torque at 6,000 rpm. Top speed is 208 mph and the automaker says that the FF sprints to 62 mph in just 3.7 seconds, representing a roughly 0.3 second increase over the outgoing 612.

Helping to keep things green, the automaker’s HELE start/stop system makes an appearance. Fuel consumption is down to around 15.5 mpg combined and emissions are curbed at 360 g/km – impressive figures for a Ferrari.

The FF will begin deliveries later this year, but all models for the first year have already been spoken for.