There are moments in the automotive world when a car is more than simply a new model. It becomes a statement about where a brand is going and what the future of luxury mobility might look like.
Ferrari’s Purosangue is one such moment. For decades the Italian marque resisted the SUV trend that swept through the luxury car world. When Ferrari finally responded, it did so in unmistakably Ferrari fashion: a four-door, four-seater vehicle powered by a glorious naturally aspirated V12. The Purosangue does not abandon the brand’s DNA – it amplifies it.
Volvo’s ES90 represents a very different turning point. The Swedish manufacturer’s new fully electric flagship sedan blends Scandinavian design, long-distance capability and advanced electric technology. It is Volvo’s vision of how executive motoring will evolve in the years ahead.
Completing the trio is the Bentley Bentayga Speed, the most performance-focused interpretation of Bentley’s ultra-luxury SUV. Immense power, meticulous craftsmanship, and unmistakable road presence combine to create a machine that is as thrilling as it is opulent.
Together, these three vehicles offer a fascinating snapshot of luxury motoring today – where tradition, technology, and performance continue to collide in compelling ways.
Ferrari Purosangue: A Thoroughbred Reinvented
For weeks, I had been liaising with Scuderia Johannesburg, Ferrari’s distributor in South Africa, about arranging test vehicles. When the day arrived to collect the Purosangue, it felt less like a routine appointment and more like preparing to meet automotive royalty.
There is a certain ceremony attached to Ferrari ownership, and even the handover reflects that sense of theatre. Daniel Marinho, Marketing Coordinator at Scuderia, together with national Sales and Marketing Manager Bryan Coles, walked me through the essentials before I stepped inside Ferrari’s first four-door, four-seater model. Purosangue is the Italian word for “thoroughbred”, and the name feels entirely appropriate. Pressing the starter button on the steering wheel awakens the car with a deep mechanical roar – the unmistakable voice of Ferrari’s naturally aspirated V12.
Driving out of the dealership, Ferrari’s Formula One influence becomes immediately apparent. The indicators sit on the steering wheel, and many of the controls are designed so your hands rarely need to leave it. Once clear of Bryanston and Fourways’ busy streets, I began exploring the Purosangue’s formidable performance on the countryside route toward De Hoek Country Hotel in Magaliesberg. The acceleration is ferocious. Ferrari claims a 0–100km/h sprint of just 3.3 seconds – remarkable for a four-door vehicle. Yet what impresses most is not simply the speed, but the effortless way the power arrives.
At the heart of the Purosangue lies Ferrari’s magnificent 6.5-litre naturally aspirated V12 producing 725cv and 716Nm of torque. The engine’s character is defined by smooth, linear delivery that builds with intensity as the revs climb. Ferrari engineered the Purosangue differently from a conventional SUV. A front-mid-engine layout paired with a rear-mounted eight-speed dual-clutch transmission achieves near-perfect weight distribution. The result is a vehicle that behaves more like a grand tourer than a traditional high-riding SUV.
On sweeping country roads, the car feels remarkably agile. Steering is precise, body control exceptional, and the car corners with a confidence that belies its size. A key contributor is Ferrari’s innovative active suspension system. Instead of conventional anti-roll bars, electric motors actively control body movement, keeping the vehicle flat through corners while preserving ride comfort.
Inside, Ferrari adopts a dual-cockpit layout in which both driver and passenger have their own digital displays. The passenger becomes an active participant in the experience rather than merely an observer. Rear passengers are equally well accommodated with two individual heated seats and generous space, reinforcing the Purosangue’s credentials as a genuine grand tourer.
As the tachometer climbs toward its 8,250rpm redline, the V12 produces a crescendo that only Ferrari’s naturally aspirated engines can deliver. Wherever the Purosangue appeared – from petrol stations to the arrival at De Hoek Country Hotel – it drew attention instantly. Conversations paused, heads turned, and curious onlookers gathered around.
Ferrari describes it as a thoroughbred, and after spending a day with the car, the description feels entirely fitting. It is not simply Ferrari’s interpretation of the SUV trend, but a bold expansion of the brand’s universe – one that proves practicality need not dilute performance.
Pricing for the Ferrari Purosangue starts from R11 million.
Volvo ES90: The Electric Executive
Rather than a conventional press launch, the introduction of the fully electric Volvo ES90 invited a group of motoring journalists on a scenic 450km road trip through KwaZulu-Natal. The journey began at Zimbali Estate in Ballito before winding through highways, countryside roads and the rolling hills of the Midlands.
The ES90 represents the electric evolution of Volvo’s long sedan lineage, which began 70 years ago with the Volvo Amazon. Built on Volvo’s SPA2 electric architecture – shared with the EX90 SUV – the ES90 features an advanced 800-volt system designed to enable faster charging and greater efficiency. A 92kWh battery delivers a claimed range of up to 755km on the WLTP cycle. During the drive, most vehicles displayed a real-world range approaching 500km, still impressive for long-distance travel.
Using a compatible DC fast charger, the battery can replenish from 10 to 80 per cent in roughly 25 minutes. Stops along the route included lunch at the Blueberry Café on Nottingham Road and an overnight stay at Brahman Hills, known for its landscaped gardens and sweeping views. Power comes from a rear-mounted electric motor producing 245kW and 480Nm of torque, enabling the ES90 to accelerate from 0–100km/h in 6.6 seconds.
Inside, the cabin feels more like a Scandinavian lounge than a traditional car interior. Back-lit wood trim, ambient lighting and a 1,610-watt Bowers & Wilkins sound system create a refined atmosphere. Volvo’s renowned safety technologies remain central to the experience, with adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and advanced collision-avoidance systems.
Priced from R1 590 000, the ES90 proves that the executive sedan still has the ability to inspire – even in a market increasingly dominated by SUVs.
Bentley Bentayga Speed: Power Meets Craft
Bentley has raised the performance stakes in the ultra-luxury SUV category with the arrival of the new Bentayga Speed. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 producing 478kW and 850Nm of torque, the flagship SUV accelerates from 0–100km/h in just 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 310km/h.
Enhanced sport mode increases suspension stiffness by 15 per cent, while optional carbon ceramic brakes, torque vectoring and all-wheel steering sharpen the Bentayga’s dynamic abilities. Despite its formidable performance, the cabin remains unmistakably Bentley. Precision Diamond quilted upholstery and Speed-specific detailing combine craftsmanship with sporting intent.
Priced from R5 765 000 in South Africa, the Bentayga Speed demonstrates that extraordinary performance and handcrafted luxury can coexist effortlessly.
