Right, listen up. Two years ago, Ferrari did something so outrageous, so completely bonkers, that it made North Korea's foreign policy look sensible by comparison. They built an SUV. Well, sort of. They call it the Purosangue, which is Italian for "thoroughbred," and thoroughbred she is. And not a week ago, this thoroughbred pony from the Italian stables turned all of two years old. That's correct, mio amico, it's Purosangue's birthday. Now, birthdays are usually a time for celebration, cake, and perhaps a party hat or two. But in the automotive world, they're an opportunity for us to sit down with a cup of tea and pore over some sales figures. Exciting stuff, I know. You see, when Ferrari announced they were making a four-door vehicle - let's not call it an SUV, lest we incur the wrath of Maranello - it caused quite a stir. It was as if Pavarotti had announced he was releasing a rap album. Purists clutched their pearls, traditionalists moaned into their espressos, and the rest of us sat back to watch the fireworks. But now, two years on, we can look at the cold, hard data and ask: has the Purosangue been a success? Or has it been about as popular as a pineapple pizza at an Italian restaurant? Let's start with the numbers, shall we? In the first half of this year, Ferrari shipped 7,044 units. Now, that might not sound like much if you're used to Toyota's sales figures, but for Ferrari, that's a new record. It's a 1.2 percent increase from the same period last year, which doesn't sound particularly impressive until you realize it's nearly double what they were selling a decade ago. And the Purosangue? It's now Ferrari's third best-selling model. Third! It's like finding out that your elderly aunt has become a TikTok influencer. It just doesn't compute. But here's the thing: the Purosangue costs $423,686. That's not a price, that's a phone number. For that money, you could buy a nice house in the countryside, or approximately 423,686 cheeseburgers. And yet, people are queuing up to buy it. It's selling better than the SF90, which is a car so fast it can actually outrun your bank balance. The Purosangue. Image credits: Ferrari. Available at [link] Now, you might be thinking, "Surely this SUV thing has damaged Ferrari's image?" Well, you'd be wrong. Ferrari's stock price is higher than ever. It's like they've discovered a way to print money, only instead of paper, they're using carbon fiber and disappointment. Their profit margins are increasing too. They're making more money on each car than ever before. It's like they've worked out how to squeeze blood from a stone, only the stone is made of gold and the blood is made of unicorn tears. The Purosangue, image Credit: indiGo Auto Group, available at [link] So, what's the secret to the Purosangue's success? Well, it's still a Ferrari, isn't it? It might have four doors and enough ground clearance to drive over a sleeping policeman without waking him up, but it's still powered by a 6.5-litre V12 that produces 715 horsepower. That's not an engine, that's a angry dragon that's been force-fed rocket fuel. This thing can go from 0-62 mph in 3.3 seconds. That's fast enough to rearrange your internal organs. It's got a top speed of 193 mph. In an SUV! Image Credits: Ferrari, available at [link] It's like strapping a jet engine to a block of flats. And you know what? I think that's why it works. Because despite all the practicality, despite the four doors and the big boot and the ability to actually see over hedges, it's still, at its core, utterly, gloriously mad. Moreover, their profit margins are increasing. Their earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation - EBITDA for you finance people - increased from 28.3 percent in the first half of 2023 to 28.9 percent in the first half of 2024. In layman's terms, that means they're making more money on each car they sell. It's a car that can take you and three of your mates to the supermarket, and then to the Nürburgring, where it'll probably set a lap record for fastest grocery run. It's a family car that can outdrag a Lamborghini. It's an SUV that thinks it's a supercar, and nobody's been brave enough to tell it otherwise. Of course, there are still those who argue that a four-door Ferrari is a contradiction in terms, like a silent rock concert or a vegetarian butcher. In a world where cars are becoming increasingly sensible, increasingly electric, and increasingly boring, the Purosangue is a breath of fresh air. Admittedly, that air is mostly petrol fumes and burnt rubber, but still. It's a reminder that cars can be silly, and impractical, and completely over the top. And sometimes, that's exactly what we need. So, happy second birthday, Purosangue. You're ridiculous, you're way too fast, and you're about as understated as a fireworks display in a library. But by God, I love you for it. You've proved that Ferrari can build an SUV without losing its soul. Although, let's be honest, nothing will top the rolling work of art that is The Ferrari LaFerrari — unless you can surprise us with the F250.
