Purosangue

Villa life in Sardinia is lived four at a time: family, friends, real luggage. Until recently that ruled Maranello out of the equation; the Purosangue has rewritten it. The gravel drive of a Gallura estate, the inland lanes threading between stazzi and cork oaks, the descent to a cove far from the crowds: the first four-door Ferrari takes it all in its stride, as though born to it — without asking you to leave anything, or anyone, behind.

If you are weighing up the right car for a longer stay, our feature on luxury SUVs in Sardinia, between space and comfort helps put it in context: the Purosangue competes in that category on paper alone, because it is the only car in the segment with a naturally aspirated V12. Within luxury SUV rental in Sardinia, it is the choice for those who refuse to compromise between practicality and sporting blood.

The paradox makes itself felt at the first roundabout: you sit high, yet the car moves like a berlinetta. Credit goes to the active suspension, which cancels body roll on demand, reading the road and reacting before the weight ever transfers. The 6.5-litre V12 answers the throttle with the immediacy only natural aspiration provides, its voice climbing raw and noble towards the upper reaches, while the eight-speed dual-clutch shifts quickly and smoothly.

With all-wheel drive and 725 hp, the 0–62 mph sprint is over in 3.3 seconds: supercar numbers, delivered with a composure that puts even first-time drivers of cars like this completely at ease. On the rolling inland roads between Oschiri and Lake Coghinas, the Purosangue reveals its true talent: covering ground quickly while keeping all four people on board perfectly content.

The electrically operated rear-hinged doors are the detail that wins over anyone who sees the car in person: they open wide, access to the back is effortless, and the two rear seats are individual, fully adjustable armchairs rather than courtesy perches. The boot swallows cabin luggage for four, and the powered tailgate makes light work of loading after the beach or a morning's shopping.

It is the only Ferrari you can drive to the golf course or the marina in the morning and to a black-tie dinner that evening, with the whole family on board throughout. Many guests pair it with a stay between Porto Cervo and Pevero: delivery of a Ferrari on the Costa Smeralda takes place directly at your villa or hotel, at whatever time suits you.