The Handling Speciale pack is one that Ferrari seldom rolls out, and then only for models that don't exist at the edge of Maranello's dynamic envelope. It is, after all, easier to suggest the cornering pizzazz of an entry-level convertible might benefit from tightening up than it is that of an F80 supercar.
On paper the Purosangue is a good candidate for HS treatment, and as ever the timing of this new offering is no accident. In the early days this SUV sold strongly enough for sales to be throttled, lest the heaviest model in the firm's history (and its only current four-door) come to be seen as the defining Ferrari of the modern era. However, with the Purosangue now three-quarters of the way through its life cycle, the HS pack is intended to keep that interest on the boil.
For £16,480, on top of the £313,360 list price, you get a more ripping exhaust note for the 6.5-litre atmo V12, quicker shifts for the eight-speed transaxle and a retune of the Multimatic-supplied active dampers that supposedly cuts roll, pitch and squat by around 10%.
The suspension geometry, ride height and tyres are unchanged, though, as is the 715bhp output. It means we're not talking about a fundamentally sportier take on what already ranks as the sportiest SUV to hit the market. A
As such, without back-to-back testing it's difficult to quantify how much of a difference the HS package actually makes. Alas, the last time I drove a Purosangue was on challenging Scottish B-roads. While the Langhe track at Balocco Proving Ground is a wonderful representation of Piedmontese country roads, it's still a simulated environment; you inevitably end up pushing the car harder than you otherwise would.
What I can say for sure is that the Purosangue still seems an extraordinary feat of engineering. It has that characteristic Ferrari tautness but pootles down Balocco's rougher access road quite happily in Comfort, with the dampers in the most relaxed of their three settings.
