Richard Hammond Prefers Budget Duster to Ferrari's $400K SUV
Richard Hammond just dropped a truth bomb on Ferrari's first-ever SUV that's got the prancing horse faithful clutching their carbon fiber pearls.
The ex-Top Gear presenter recently drove the Ferrari Purosangue and delivered a verdict that's pure Hammond: he'd rather buy a Dacia Duster and a house.
Performance That Defies Physics, Price That Defies Logic
Ferrari's Purosangue packs a naturally-aspirated 6.5-liter V12 that howls to the tune of pure automotive theater.
It launches from 0-62 mph in 3.3 seconds and hits a top speed of 193 mph. Numbers that make most sports cars blush.
Hammond admitted the Purosangue feels remarkably light and nimble despite being a two-ton SUV. Ferrari's chassis wizards have clearly performed their usual dark magic.
The handling impresses. The power delivery impresses. The badge impresses.
But then there's the price.
When "Because Ferrari" Isn't Enough
The base price is stratospheric. The options list is where fiscal sanity goes to die.
Ferrari charges approximately £9,000 just for their logo on certain parts of the vehicle.
Let that sink in.
Nine thousand pounds. For a badge.
Hammond's take is refreshingly blunt: why spend supercar money on an SUV when you could:
- Buy a perfectly functional Dacia Duster for a fraction of the cost
- Purchase an actual house with the remainder
- Still have change left for a holiday
The Purosangue Paradox
Ferrari built an SUV that doesn't want to be an SUV.
It handles like a sports car. It sounds like a race car. It costs more than most people's retirement funds.
Yet it exists in a segment where practicality should matter.
The Purosangue excels at being a Ferrari. It fails at being sensible.
Hammond's critique cuts through the marketing fog. He recognizes the engineering brilliance while questioning the fundamental value proposition.
For a man who's owned some of the world's most exotic machinery, his preference for the humble Duster speaks volumes.
Sometimes the most impressive vehicle isn't the one with the most impressive spec sheet.
It's the one that doesn't require a mortgage to put in your garage.
