Used 2012 Ferrari FF

Billed as the replacement for the unloved 612 Scaglietti, the 2012 Ferrari FF draws the eye to it in a way the 612 never could. The wagon-like rear end (known as a shooting brake in European parlance) works well with the traditional Ferrari styling themes, stretching the car’s lines rearward to a pleasing tail end that doesn’t look truncated (think BMW M Coupe). The FF’s massive 6.3-liter V12 engine routes 651 screaming horses to all four wheels via its 4RM AWD system, a first for Ferrari. Despite the additional hardware, the FF remains safely under the 4,000-pound limit, ensuring its performance potential is not impeded in any way. The FF name refers to “Ferrari Four,” a play on the car’s 4-passenger seating and 4-wheel drive layout.

What more needs to be said about a car that can rocket from a standing start to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds, attain a top speed of 208 mph and do it all without breaking a sweat? That’s what awaits the lucky owner of Ferrari’s 2012 FF. The 4RM AWD system only serves to enhance the FF’s performance on dry pavement, as well as take it places no Ferrari has dared set foot (or in this case, tire). To prove the point, Ferrari put World Rally Champion Markku Alen behind the wheel and let him loose on a snow-covered rally course. Although the performance-oriented tires didn’t provide the best traction, the FF nevertheless got after it, tearing through the slippery stuff with utter confidence. Google it if you want to see some impressive driving.

Seating for four doesn’t always mean room for four. While the Ferrari’s 2012 FF does feature a set of deeply-sculpted rear seats, the head and legroom afforded by them will barely suit a small child. Up front is a different story, where the optional seat upgrade includes multiple power functions permitting the perfect driving position. The FF’s seats are covered in the most exquisite leather, as is most of the interior. About the only let-down we found was the standard Ferrari navigation system, which isn’t very user-friendly and a bit behind the times.

From its Ferrari 458-inspired headlights to its signature grid-style grille with prancing horse emblem, the 2012 FF is Ferrari at its finest. The shooting brake design flows naturally from the long hood and the rear hatchback, something new to Ferrari design, actually makes this big 4-seat coupe quite versatile. We love the attention to detail that shows off the mastery of Ferrari’s coachbuilders, most notably the artfully-sculpted side vents and the unique way the car’s sheet metal wraps around the protruding single circular taillights. It reminds us a bit of the headlamp design of classic 1961 Chrysler Imperial, only in reverse.

MULTI-TASKING MANETTINO STEERING WHEEL
This all-in-one wheel features controls for the ignition, turn signals and the Manettino 5-position suspension switch for comfort, sport, snow, wet and ESC off.

NUMEROUS INTERIOR UPGRADE OPTIONS
Because the FF offers numerous choices for leather, colors, seating, carpeting, headliners and dash trim, it’s possible to create a one-of-a-kind FF with your own unique stamp.

The 2012 Ferrari FF comes standard with a 6.3-liter V12 engine, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, 4RM AWD, electro-mechanical center differential, full leather interior, power-adjustable tilt/telescopic steering wheel, voice-activated navigation, AM/FM/CD/MP3/DVD stereo with 30 GB hard-drive music storage, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlamps with washers, 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive Magnaride magnetic fluid suspension and Brembo ceramic brakes. Standard safety equipment includes electronic traction and stability control and front seat side-impact airbags.

In the 2012 Ferrari FF, the only limit to what can be added is your imagination. Among the more notable performance options are engine idle cutoff, sport exhaust pipes and 20-inch diamond-finish alloy wheels. Other options of note include adaptive swiveling headlamps, 1280-watt premium audio upgrade, rear-seat DVD entertainment system, semi-aniline leather interior, diamond-pattern seat design, cruise control, matching leather golf bag, matching leather luggage, front and rear parking cameras, passenger-side matching instrumentation, carbon fiber interior trim and more interior and exterior color choices than you can shake a stick at.

Power for the 2012 Ferrari FF derives from a hand-built 6.3-liter V12 engine and is routed through a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with manual shift control. Power flows to all four wheels via an electro-mechanical center differential that routes power to the wheels with the best traction. In a nod to better performance, Ferrari says its AWD unit is 50-percent lighter than a conventional system.

6.3-liter V12
651 horsepower @ 8,000 rpm
486 lb-ft of torque @ 8,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 11/17 mpg