The magnificent four-seat, four-wheel drive Ferrari is a hypercar carrier of four unrivaled in ethos or execution
The FF of 2011 to 2016 represented a revolution for the Prancing Horse, being the first Ferrari to accommodate four full-sized adults and their luggage and the first to feature a four-wheel drive system.Hence the badge: ‘Ferrari Four’.A replacement for the 612 Scaglietti, the eccentric FF was unusual in its positioning.We had seen flamboyant four-seat Ferraris before in the 400i and Mondial, but back in the early 2010s every car that came out of Maranello was developed and released with deft product planning in a bid to score a hit with the rich and famous, with scant concern for such trivialities as boot space and all-weather utility.Compared with the likes of the 458 Italia and 599 GTB, this stunning Pininfarina-penned hatchback was much easier to imagine as a daily driver – and even though prices for clean examples are still holding strong at north of £100k, you could still use it as such today.But why take a beautiful FF over a same-aged Bentley Continental at half the price? Let’s start with the powertrain.Under the FF’s long, sculpted bonnet is a thunderous, naturally aspirated, 6.3-litre V12 evolved from that used by the Enzo hypercar.With 651bhp, this atmo artwork was the most powerful engine fitted to a Ferrari at the time and it still feels mighty today, as its 0-62mph time of 3.7sec attests. It can sprint from 0-124mph as quickly as the ballistic 599 GTB too.If you’re worried about the FF being too lairy, fear not, for it’s a true GT at heart. Power is delivered in a smooth and linear fashion and it never feels intimidating.That sense of assurance comes partly from the four-wheel drive system, which is unlike any other.Most of the time, the FF is rear-driven, with power fed through the rear-mounted seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, but there’s a secondary two-speed ’box ahead of the engine that can take power from the crankshaft and drive the front wheels when required.But in order for the front and rear ratios to match, Ferrari fitted two electronic slipping clutches to ensure the wheel speeds aligned.The clutches effectively take on the role of the front differential, but also manage the traction and torque vectoring for improved handling – and it certainly shows on a twisty B-road.With the front axle dormant most of the time, the FF feels like a rear-driven GT through fast corners.Only when you point it at low- and medium-speed bends, when the car is about to lean into oversteer, does the front axle intervene.Inside, the FF is sumptuous, with rich leather furnishings, plush metals and a well-configured dash, although it does feel a little dated next to a modern Ferrari.At least the steering wheel isn’t cluttered with too many functions. There’s plenty of room in the back for adults, too, and it has the same boot capacity as a Cupra Formentor.Naturally, that complex and highly bespoke drivetrain will concern prospective buyers today and ultimately there’s no such thing as a ‘cheap V12 supercar’, irrespective of list price.Plus, potential buyers will find the DCT ’box a little dim-witted at low speeds, and on UK roads it is a firm-riding car.But these are small prices to pay, surely, for an achingly cool GT that can top 200mph on the autobahn and then whisk you effortlessly up an icy Alpine pass to the door of your chalet.With the kids in the back. And the dog in the boot.