First 4-Seat Ferrari Launched in India

Italian luxury auto maker Ferrari launches its FF touring car to coincide with the inaugural Formula 1 Grand Prix of India in New Delhi.

The FF, which stands for 4-wheel-drive 4-seater, styled by Pininfarina, replaces the Scaglietti 612. It is priced at Rs34.2 million ($687,000).

Ferrari FF.

Since entering the Indian market five months ago, Ferrari has sold a total of 20 California GT convertibles costing Rs22.2 million ($444,000) each, and 458 Italia mid-engine 2-seaters priced at Rs25.7 million ($514,000) apiece.

“Four cars a month is not at all bad,” Ferrari spokesman Anubhav Sharma says.

Also available is Ferrari’s flagship 599 GTB Fiorana for Rs35.7 million ($714,000).

Rival high-end auto makers Aston Martin, Porsche, Bugatti, Lamborghini and Maserati have been selling vehicles in India for more than two years. The country is considered a potential growth market for luxury and racing cars.

Ferrari plans to conduct owner-training programs and a challenger racing series in India, CEO Amedeo Felisa says.

The FF, Ferrari’s first 4-passenger model, is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.3L V-12 engine that produces 650 hp at 8,000 rpm and 504 lb.-ft. (683 Nm) of torque at 6,000 rpm.

It is mated to a 7-speed, double-clutch semi-automatic transmission similar to the gearboxes in the California and 458 Italia ranges.

The new all-wheel-drive system is 50% lighter than conventional AWD technology, the auto maker says.