The Ferrari FF in 2025: Unpacking the Grand Tourer’s Enduring Allure
Stepping back into the world of the Ferrari FF in 2025 feels like revisiting a pivotal chapter in Maranello’s storied history. Ten years ago, when I first got behind the wheel, the FF was a radical departure, a bold statement challenging traditional Ferrari paradigms. Today, as the automotive landscape rapidly evolves with electrification and increasingly autonomous systems, the FF stands as a testament to Ferrari’s audacious spirit: a luxurious, four-seat, four-wheel-drive shooting brake powered by a naturally aspirated V12. It’s a machine that not only redefined what a Ferrari could be but also subtly laid the groundwork for future models, including the groundbreaking Purosangue.
From my vantage point, having spent over a decade dissecting the nuances of high-performance luxury vehicles, the FF wasn’t just a car; it was a conversation starter, a paradigm shifter. Its name, “Ferrari Four,” succinctly summed up its core innovations: four seats and four-wheel drive, coupled with its immense V12 power and remarkable versatility. As we delve into its characteristics from a 2025 perspective, it’s clear why the FF, despite being superseded by the GTC4Lusso, and now living in the shadow of Ferrari’s first SUV, the Purosangue, retains a unique and highly desirable position in the pantheon of collectible Ferrari models and high-performance V12 grand tourer vehicles.
A Design Ahead of its Time: The Shooting Brake’s Subtle Dominance
The initial unveiling of the FF was met with a mix of awe and bewilderment. A Ferrari with a “shooting brake” silhouette? For many purists, it felt like heresy. Yet, from a 2025 perspective, its design has aged with remarkable grace, proving prescient rather than polarizing. Unlike its more conventional grand tourer predecessor, the 612 Scaglietti, the FF’s elongated, sculpted rear introduced an unprecedented level of practicality to the Ferrari lineup. The lines, penned by Pininfarina in collaboration with Ferrari’s internal design team, strike a balance between aggressive sportiness and sophisticated elegance. The long hood, characteristic of a front-mid-engined V12, flows seamlessly into a cabin that, while substantial enough for four adults, maintains a surprising visual compactness.
The aggressive front fascia, with headlights echoing the 458 Italia, and the distinctive “smile” of the grille, which some initially questioned, now appear as assertive, confident elements. The rear, with its dual circular taillights and substantial diffuser, firmly plants the car on the road. What was once seen as an unconventional, even awkward, aesthetic choice, the shooting brake format is now celebrated for its unique blend of style and utility. This design allowed for genuine four-person travel with luggage, a novel concept for a Ferrari, significantly boosting its appeal as a luxury 4-seater sports car capable of cross-continental journeys. It expanded the brand’s reach to those who desired Ferrari performance without sacrificing everyday usability. In a market where performance SUVs and more versatile luxury vehicles are king, the FF’s shooting brake body style now feels less like an outlier and more like an early pioneer.
An Interior of Uncompromised Luxury and Practicality
Inside, the FF continues to impress, even against the backdrop of 2025’s hyper-connected, minimalist cabins. The cockpit, a blend of traditional Ferrari artistry and innovative design, strikes a perfect chord. The driver-focused setup features a large, center-mounted analog tachometer flanked by customizable digital screens—a layout that was cutting-edge in 2011 and remains intuitively functional today. The steering wheel, a testament to Ferrari’s Formula 1 heritage, houses essential controls like the engine start button, the iconic manettino for drive modes, and turn signals, placing everything within effortless reach. This design philosophy, prioritizing driver engagement and minimizing distractions, stands in stark contrast to the touchscreen-heavy interfaces prevalent in many modern luxury vehicles.
The FF’s true interior marvel, however, lies in its capacity. Four genuine adult seats, sumptuously upholstered in premium leather, provide surprising comfort for extended journeys. Unlike the token rear seats in many “2+2” configurations, the FF’s rear accommodations are genuinely usable, making it a viable option for family road trips or corporate excursions. Add to this the remarkably generous trunk space – nearly double that of the 612 Scaglietti – expandable even further with individually folding rear seats, and you have a high-performance GT that truly lives up to the “Grand Tourer” moniker. This commitment to practical luxury was revolutionary for Ferrari, proving that raw power and exhilarating performance didn’t have to come at the expense of comfort and utility. It offered a compelling blend of exotic car thrills with an unprecedented level of daily driveability, a concept further refined in its successor, the GTC4Lusso.
The Heart of the Beast: A Naturally Aspirated V12 Symphony
No discussion of the Ferrari FF is complete without revering its magnificent heart: the naturally aspirated 6.3-liter F140 EB V12 engine. Producing 651 horsepower and 504 lb-ft of torque, this powerplant was a force of nature then, and it remains an absolute masterpiece today. In an era dominated by forced induction and electrification, the FF’s V12 offers an unfiltered, visceral experience that is becoming increasingly rare. The deep, guttural bark upon startup, the progressive surge of power across the rev range, and the spine-tingling crescendo as it howls towards its 8,250 rpm redline are pure automotive theatre. There’s an immediate, linear response to throttle inputs that turbo-charged engines, however sophisticated, simply cannot replicate.
Mated to a lightning-fast seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the FF’s powertrain delivers astonishing performance. Shifts are instantaneous and seamless, whether initiated via the paddle shifters or left to the intelligent automatic mode. On the open road, the engine’s wide powerband means exhilarating acceleration is always on tap, often requiring only second or third gear to dispatch significant distances with breathtaking speed. The absence of turbo lag, the intoxicating induction noise, and the sheer mechanical symphony make every drive an event. For enthusiasts of Ferrari V12 power, the FF represents a peak of naturally aspirated engineering, an auditory and tactile experience that is profoundly addictive and increasingly valuable in the modern market. It’s a stark reminder of what we stand to lose as the industry shifts towards different power sources.
The Ingenious 4RM System: Ferrari’s All-Wheel Drive Revelation
Perhaps the most groundbreaking innovation in the FF was its unique 4RM all-wheel-drive system. At a time when other supercar manufacturers adopted more conventional AWD layouts, Ferrari engineered a solution that was lighter, less intrusive, and true to their performance philosophy. Unlike systems that send power from the rear to the front via a heavy central driveshaft, Ferrari’s 4RM featured a separate, two-speed gearbox mounted at the front of the engine, directly connected to the V12’s crankshaft. This PTU (Power Transfer Unit) engaged the front wheels only when needed – typically in lower gears (1st-4th) and only when the rear wheels detected slip.
This meant that under normal driving conditions, the FF behaved like a traditional rear-wheel-drive Ferrari, preserving the brand’s cherished dynamic purity. However, when faced with challenging surfaces – wet roads, snow, or gravel – the 4RM system seamlessly and intelligently directed torque to the front axle, providing unparalleled traction and stability. This made the FF an authentic all-wheel-drive supercar, transforming it into a truly all-season machine, capable of tackling conditions that would render most other exotic cars immobile.
From a 2025 perspective, the 4RM system wasn’t just a technical marvel; it was a philosophical statement. It demonstrated Ferrari’s commitment to innovation while preserving the core driving experience. Roberto Fedeli, Ferrari’s then GT Technical Director, highlighted the challenge of inventing every component and electronic control for this bespoke system. His vision was not merely about enabling snow driving but about enhancing sporty performance in adverse conditions – allowing owners to “drive normally without any strange movement, like a normal four-wheel-drive car” even when pushing hard on slippery surfaces. The 4RM paved the way for the GTC4Lusso’s enhanced 4RM-S system and showcased Ferrari’s willingness to integrate advanced traction solutions without compromising the soul of a Prancing Horse. This innovative approach to Ferrari 4RM system explained much about the brand’s engineering prowess and foresight.
Driving Dynamics: A Refined Blend of Comfort and Ferocity
Behind the wheel, even a decade on, the FF strikes an exquisite balance between refined grand touring comfort and blistering Ferrari performance. Around town, in “Comfort” mode, the ride quality is remarkably compliant for an exotic car. The multi-link rear suspension and third-generation magnetorheological shock absorbers effortlessly soak up road imperfections, providing a cushioned, composed experience that genuinely rivals many luxury sedans. The steering, light and incredibly direct, makes navigating urban environments surprisingly agile for a car of its size.
Switching the manettino to “Sport” or “ESC Off” (now the European regulatory designation for full electronic stability control deactivation, replacing the old “CST Off”) transforms the FF into a true beast. The suspension stiffens, the exhaust valves open, unleashing the full V12 symphony, and the transmission becomes aggressively responsive. On winding back roads, the FF exhibits incredible poise and grip. Its substantial curb weight (4,145 pounds) is masterfully managed, with minimal body roll and precise turn-in. While it might not possess the razor-sharp agility of a mid-engined super sports car like the 458 Italia, it compensates with immense high-speed stability and an unwavering ability to devour challenging stretches of tarmac with relentless composure.
The carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes provide immense stopping power, hauling the FF down from triple-digit speeds with astonishing efficiency and fade resistance. The interplay of the potent V12, the rapid dual-clutch gearbox, and the intelligent 4RM system creates a driving experience that is both intensely engaging and remarkably confidence-inspiring, allowing drivers to exploit its prodigious power in a wider range of conditions than any Ferrari before it. This blend of attributes solidified its position as a truly versatile and capable high-performance GT.
The FF’s Enduring Legacy and Market Position in 2025
As we look at the FF in 2025, its significance has only grown. It proved that a Ferrari could be practical, all-weather capable, and still deliver an intoxicating, uncompromised driving experience. It challenged brand conventions and opened new segments, directly influencing its successor, the GTC4Lusso, and ultimately providing a blueprint for the market acceptance of the Purosangue, Ferrari’s first-ever SUV-GT.
In the secondary market, the FF is increasingly recognized as a Ferrari investment opportunity. While it may not command the stratospheric prices of limited-edition models, its unique V12 engine – a dying breed – coupled with its rarity as Ferrari’s first production 4WD car, positions it as a highly sought-after future classic. Owners are appreciating its blend of daily usability, four-person capacity, and the thrilling, naturally aspirated V12 performance that is rapidly disappearing from new car showrooms. Understanding exotic car depreciation and appreciation curves, the FF appears to be a smart acquisition for discerning collectors and enthusiasts looking for a piece of Ferrari history that offers both driving pleasure and potential long-term value. Maintenance costs for a collectible Ferrari like the FF, while significant, are offset by its robust engineering and the enduring appeal of the marque.
Roberto Fedeli’s insights from over a decade ago resonate powerfully today. His vision of Ferrari’s internal design group maturing, the cautious exploration of hybrid solutions (which culminated in models like the SF90 Stradale and LaFerrari), and the development of turbocharged engines (seen in the California T and later models like the F8 Tributo) all came to fruition. His emphasis on “the Ferrari way” of integrating technology, ensuring new models remained distinctively Ferraris, has guided the brand through a period of rapid technological change. The FF was a product of this forward-thinking philosophy, a vehicle that embraced innovation without sacrificing its soul.
The Invitation
The Ferrari FF remains a remarkable machine – a testament to daring design, engineering brilliance, and Maranello’s relentless pursuit of automotive excellence. It redefined a segment, challenged perceptions, and continues to offer an unparalleled blend of luxury, practicality, and raw V12 emotion. In a world increasingly driven by electrification and digital interfaces, the FF stands as a vibrant, naturally aspirated icon, a reminder of a glorious era.
If you’ve never experienced the exhilarating blend of a luxury V12 grand tourer with genuine all-season capability, or if you’re exploring the landscape of future classic cars and the unique segment of high-performance GT vehicles, now is the perfect moment to discover the enduring allure of the Ferrari FF. We invite you to delve deeper into its legacy, explore its capabilities, and perhaps, discover your own passion for this pivotal piece of automotive history. The roar of that V12 awaits.
