► Ferrari top brass rule out SUV
► No crossover will be launched
► Quells rumours of Ferrari 4×4
The management of Maranello moved to quell rumours of a Ferrari SUV at the 2016 Geneva motor show – saying they will unequivocally not build a crossover.
It’s heartening news for enthusiasts, who feared that Ferrari would follow the crowds of other sports car brands ploughing headlong into the crossover sector. The newly revised FF – now badged GTC4 Lusso – is as close as Ferrari will get to 4wd cars for now.
Aston Martin is preparing to build the DBX crossover, Bentley is launching the Bentayga, Maserati unveiled the Levante in Geneva and Lamborghini is readying a production version of the Urus. Even Rolls-Royce is following the flock.
Sergio Marchionne: no Ferrari SUV
However, Fiat group CEO Sergio Marchionne said that Ferrari would not follow suit. ‘We will not play with SUVs,’ he told reporters at an interview in Geneva. ‘It’s not in our DNA.’
He admitted that it was difficult to ‘extend Ferrari beyond automotive,’ hinting that the company had not always got its moves into merchandise, theme parks and other brand extensions right.
‘We must be very careful,’ Marchionne said. ‘Whatever we do, we must not damage Ferrari as a supercar maker.’
However, he confirmed that Ferrari was actively considering new directions. Watch this space to see where the Prancing Horse gallops next.