Detroit motor show: Ferrari to debut first SUV by 2019

Ferrari has confirmed plans to launch its first entry into the SUV market, in an announcement at the North American International Auto Show.

Speaking at the event in Detroit yesterday, the company’s chief executive, Sergio Marchionne, told Auto Express that the car will be ready by the end of 2019 or beginning of 2020.

“It will look like whatever a Ferrari utility vehicle needs to look like,” he said, “but it has to drive like a Ferrari.”

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Marchionne added: “I’ve seen the car when I was in Europe eight days ago. So we are working on the vehicle but it’s not finished. They’re just mock-up bodies just now. But it looks good.”

The SUV is expected to outpace the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, currently the fastest utility vehicle under Ferrari’s parent company, the Fiat Chrysler group, says Jalopnik.

The Stelvio Quadrifoglio boasts a top speed of 176mph, with a 503bhp twin-turbo V6 engine, the website says, suggesting Ferrari’s entry could be the first 200mph SUV on the market.

Meanwhile, Marchionne revealed the Italian carmaker is also considering an electric supercar to compete with Tesla, reports Bloomberg.

“If there is an electric supercar to be built then Ferrari will be the first,” Marchionne said. “People are amazed at what Tesla did with a supercar. I’m not trying to minimise what Elon did but I think it’s doable by all of us.”