Ferrari FF Review

The Ferrari FF (FF meaning "Ferrari Four", for four seats and four-wheel drive) is a grand tourer revealed by Ferrari on January 21, 2011. The official presentation was made on March 1, 2011 in Geneva Motor Show. It is unusual on two points: it is Ferrari's first production four-wheel drive model, and Ferrari's first production shooting-brake. It will replace the 612 Scaglietti. The FF has a top speed of 335 km/h (208 mph) and it accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds. Ferrari states that the FF is the world's fastest four-seat automobile. The FF sells for $300,000 USD, with 800 being produced during the first year.
The elements within its name, FF, clearly show that Ferrari intends this car to be much more usable than either its predecessor, the 612, or its stablemates: its four-wheel drive system will allow the car to be driven in relatively hazardous driving scenarios, such as heavy rain or snow, while its four seats, coupled with the vastly expanded boot space courtesy of the shooting brake design, make it much more practical.

Engine

The Ferrari FF has the largest capacity Ferrari engine ever produced: a 6,262 cc (6.3 L; 382.1 cu in) naturally aspirated direct injected 65° V12, which produces 660 PS (485 kW; 651 hp) at 8,000 rpm and 683 N·m (504 lb·ft) of torque at 6000 rpm.

Transmission

The FF is equipped with a 7-speed double-clutch semi-automatic paddle shift system similar to the California

Four wheel drive system

The new four-wheel drive system, engineered and patented by Ferrari, is called 4RM: it is around 50% lighter than a conventional system, and provides power intelligently to each of the four wheels as needed. It only functions when the marionette dial on the steering wheel is in the "comfort" or "snow" positions, leaving the car most often in the traditional rear wheel drive layout.
This system is based around a second, simple, gearbox (gears and other components built by Carraro, taking power from the front of the engine. This gearbox (designated "power take off unit", or PT U) has only two forward gears (2nd and 4th) plus reverse (with gear ratios 6% taller than the corresponding ratios in the main gearbox), so the system is only active in 1st to 4th gears. The connection between this gearbox and each front wheel is via independent haldex type clutches, without a differential. Due to the difference in ratios "the clutches continually slip" and only transmit, at most, 20% of the engine's torque. A detailed description of the system (based on a conversation with Roberto Fedeli, Ferrari's technical director) has been published.