Richard Hammond, the renowned host of Top Gear and The Grand Tour, recently reviewed one of the most famous, expensive, exclusive, and controversial cars of today — the Ferrari Purosangue. This SUV, which Ferrari insists on not calling an SUV, is, according to Hammond, visually striking and technically exceptional. However, he finds it lacking in terms of price, practicality, and some basic functionalities.

Hammond tested the Purosangue in the UK, where its base price is £313,000 (approximately €365,000). However, the model he drove, fully equipped with extras and customizations, cost a staggering £480,000 (around €560,000). What contributed to this price? For instance, a special blue paint finish priced at £22,500 (€26,500), yellow racing stripes for £14,500 (€17,000), and enamel Ferrari badges on the sides for another £9,500 (€11,200). Hammond mocked these costs, humorously noting that for the price of the paint and stripes, he’d rather buy a Dacia — and still have enough left for a modest house.

In terms of driving performance, Hammond praised the Purosangue for being “unbelievably capable, confident, powerful, and blisteringly fast.” Nevertheless, it didn’t excite him in the way he expected a Ferrari would. He fondly recalled his older Ferrari 550 Maranello, which he loved as a “pure engine on wheels.” The Purosangue has a similar 6.5-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine, but Hammond feels it is now “buried” under layers of electronics and overly complex systems.

One of the car’s biggest drawbacks, according to Hammond, is its control systems. He shared his frustration at not being able to figure out how to turn off the heated seats, even after extensive use. He also questioned why so many features are buried within an overly complicated infotainment system. Additionally, he criticized Ferrari’s now-familiar quirks, such as the placement of turn signal controls and various switches on the steering wheel, which he found unnecessarily confusing and difficult to use.

In conclusion, Hammond expressed his disbelief at why anyone would purchase a car that, while technically outstanding, fails to deliver joy or justify its exorbitant price tag. With his trademark humor, he concluded that he’d prefer to invest in something more practical and straightforward — something that wouldn’t leave him guessing how to operate basic functions.

For Hammond, the Purosangue represents a symbol of luxury rather than a vehicle designed to excite true automotive enthusiasts. His review is full of irony and sharp observations, reminiscent of the golden era of Top Gear.

Source: drivetribe – YouTube