Ferrari Upgrades Purosangue SUV Handling with New Speciale Package

SUVs now dominate European new vehicle sales, accounting for 6 in 10 registrations. This figure surpasses the 40% market share recorded in the US and China, highlighting the segment’s rapid growth. Ferrari’s decision to enter this market with the Purosangue in 2023 reflects this trend.

Four-seat Ferraris are not unprecedented. The FF shooting brake and GTC4Lusso have previously offered four-door configurations, though reliability concerns have been noted with the latter. However, Ferrari’s test drivers in Maranello identified room for improvement in the Purosangue’s driving dynamics.

To address this, Ferrari has introduced a new Handling Speciale option, featuring upgraded active suspension calibration. This enhancement reduces body roll, pitch, and yaw, giving the Purosangue a more compact and agile feel despite its 16.3-foot (4.9-meter) length. The steering, already praised for its responsiveness, is expected to feel even sharper with this update.

The improvements extend to the double-clutch paddle-shift gearbox, which now features optimized control strategies. While shift times are reduced, refinement has been slightly compromised—a deliberate choice to align with Ferrari’s performance-focused ethos. As the brand notes, buyers seeking a refined luxury SUV have ample alternatives; Ferrari prioritizes a more engaging, assertive driving experience.

In manual mode, the gearbox delivers a more abrupt shift when revving above 5,500 rpm, particularly when traction and stability controls are disengaged or set to permissive modes. This aligns with the brand’s philosophy of delivering a visceral, driver-focused experience.