Italians are great at a lot of things: food, art and, of course, sports cars. Ferrari has unleashed the 2012 FF, and it is guaranteed to turn heads. Replacing the 612 Scaglietti, this is the first production-line Ferrari to offer AWD.

The FF has the signature head-turning Ferrari stance in spades. Sleek and curvaceous, it molds itself after the 458 Italia. The devilish projector-beam headlamps and hood shape suggest a furrowed brow, ending in the Cheshire Cat-like smile of the FF grille. And baby’s got back – the four-seater sports a long cabin and roomy hatchback; persons up to 6 feet tall will find a comfortable back-seat ride. The car will be available in 6 exclusive exterior colors.

Under the gleaming hood, there is a typical display of Ferrari awesomeness: a 6.3-liter 65-degree V12 engine with 651 hp and 504 lb-ft of torque. Its 0-to-60 time is 3.7 seconds, and it boasts a top speed of 208 mph. And at a price tag in the six-figure range, do we really need to talk fuel economy? (Ferrari says 15 mpg – hey, this ain’t no Prius.) A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is coupled with Ferrari’s new intelligent 4WD system that has 5 settings: Off, Comfort, Sport, Wet and Ice-Snow, letting you engage in conditions from the Alps to vineyards.

To prove its point, Ferrari dropped its FF atop a white-capped peak in Brunico, Italy, and let it wind its way down through a myriad of harsh conditions. Of course, she performed beautifully, dazzling at every turn, whether rain, slush or snow. The Launch Control button maximizes torque for starts in harsh conditions such as those.

The FF's brown interior is comprised of the finest stitched Italian leather, but doesn’t look quite as sensational or innovative as other interiors of its class. Comfort, however, isn’t an issue. All of the car’s vital functions can be operated via steering wheel, including turn signal buttons; this is part of Ferrari’s “Man-Machine” interface concept, seamlessly connecting human and automobile. For those passengers wanting more thrills, an optional screen is available for their seat, giving them a view of all driver gauges, steering wheel not included.

Purists might scoff at the introduction of a hatchback and AWD and even bicker about the FF's looks, but only those not lucky enough to get to drive one. And those drivers who do will be rare—only 800 will be made the first year. So sit by the sidelines, haters, and watch the glorious Fab Four gallop by.