Ferrari for four

As you may have noticed, when we review a car, or attend the launch of a new vehicle, our report is accompanied by a separate fact box we call "THE SPECS".

The idea is that, if you lose interest in the story after the first paragraph, you can quickly go there and, at a glance find crucial information on performance, CO² emissions, how thirsty it is and, most importantly, the price.

We also provide a couple of lines in which we encapsulate what we like and, equally, what we don't like about the vehicle.

When I recently wrote a review of the new-generation Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, this last section had me scratching my rapidly receding hairline.

I could have provided 100 things I liked about the vehicle but, when it came to the "We Don't Like" section, I was stumped.

Criticising a car like this, that is so superb, is like walking into the Vatican, gazing up at Michelangelo's art on the roof of the Sistine Chapel and saying: "Pity he didn't use more blue paint in the background!"

So, when it came to the "Don't Likes" of the 911, I took the easy route out and fell back on the old favourite ... "not much rear legroom".

Which brings me to this week's road test, the Ferrari FF - because finding fault with a vehicle like this is less likely than getting a Safa official to give you an honest answer on match-fixing allegations.

The name Ferrari needs no introduction. It's quite simply a legend - an iconic brand, not only in motoring terms, but as a global entity and one, I quickly discovered - in the course of my day behind its wheel - that is instantly recognisable to young and old alike.

Now normally, if a manufacturer or dealer phones up and offers the MotorMania team a vehicle for just a day to conduct a road test, we politely decline because, in all honesty, no one can find out much about a car in just a few hours.

But, hell, this was a Ferrari so exceptions had to be made. "Be at our offices by 8.30," said the assistant marketing manager at Viglietti Motors. I was there by 8! A briefing about the vehicle is necessary and product manager Justin quickly pointed out a number of functions that various buttons and switches perform. There is no gearlever in the FF. Instead it is equipped with a paddle shift system similar to that used in the California and 458 Italia. Thankfully it is pretty much idiot-proof in that the vehicle will only change gear - up or down - when certain revs are achieved. Reverse is engaged by the simple push of a button.

In a recent review of the FF in another publication, the writer complained that the sound emanating from the four exhaust pipes lacked some hard-core symphony.

Personally, I found it anything but lacking. At a turn of the key and push of a button, the V12 awakens and, with the engine still cold, the barking sound was literally bouncing off the walls of the showroom. That high-octave shrill reminded me instantly of an F1 car; even when the engine reached normal temperature the sound was simply superb.

The FF is long (4907mm), it is wide (1953mm) and it is most definitely very powerful (485kW and 683Nm) but driving it is not as stressful as I imagined.

The paddle shifts are easily mastered (right to change up; left to change down) and the indicator buttons are within easy reach on the steering wheel.

The FF - which stands for Four as in the number of seats and Four as in four-wheel drive - has Ferrari's largest ever capacity road-going engine - 6.3 litres, which makes it the fastest four-seat car in the world. Styling wise, the FF is definitely a move away from what one imagines a Ferrari to look like. I must confess that when I looked at images of it, prior to driving it, I was apprehensive about this new direction.

But this look has everything to do with what the vehicle is all about - in a word it is "versatility".

It's about being able to go to the track and tapping deep in to its soul as you try and achieve the claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.7 seconds; when that's over its about being able to stop off at the private school to pick up the kids before heading home, packing a couple of bags and the golf clubs and heading off for a weekend away in snow-capped mountains.

My day happened to be a lot more mundane and realistic.

En route to Hartbeespoort Dam for lunch, the JMPD decided they wanted a closer look at the car and pulled me over. After some friendly banter, they sent me on my way with the words "give it some glug-glug!"

That could only mean one thing and even from 100m away I could see their wide smiles as I hammered it through the gears and the searing whining sound from that massive V12 filled the air. Thinking about it afterwards, I wish I'd tried out the launch control button for what Ferrari describe as "free spirit high performance starts".

When I arrived at my lunch destination, I was approached by a gentleman who said he owns a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. He was obviously eager to look at the FF. As much as he loves his 612, he bemoaned the fact that it has become increasingly difficult to enjoy these sports cars.

I had to agree with him. As pretty as Hartbeespoort is at this time of the year, the roads to the dam are in pretty bad shape and the number of trucks makes for slow going.

But, now and then, you do get the chance to let rip and savour the car's beauty. Apart from the obvious performance of the vehicle, the level of comfort and features is salutary.

The leather seats cocoon both front and rear passengers in lounge-suite-like comfort, while dual-zone climate control, with independent adjustable vents, keeps things cool.

A first for Ferrari is their four-wheel drive system called 4RM. This enables the FF to tackle all kinds of terrain including - believe it or not - snow.

So, after a day behind the wheel of the FF, it was time to return it to the showroom - thank God in one piece - and return home in the Kia Sorento.

The Sorento is a great SUV. It has all the features one expects from the Koreans. It handles well and ride comfort is extremely good. But driving home I felt like I was driving an ox wagon - and that's the only fault I could find with the FF. It makes every other car seem very, very ordinary!

The Specs:

FERRARI FF

Engine: 6262cc V12

Power: 486kW at 8000rpm

Torque: 683Nm at 6000rpm

Top speed: 335km/h (claimed)

0-100km/h: 3.7 seconds (claimed)

Fuel consumption: 15.4l/100km (claimed/combined)

CO²: 360g/km

Pricing: R4050000

We like:

Awesome sound

True sports car

We don't like:

What tops this?