Scintillating pace in a practical four-seat package - that's the Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Ferrari has added a V8 to sit alongside the V12 in the GTC4Lusso range. Dubbed ‘T’, it’s down on power but offers improved economy. Darren Cassey went to Italy to find out if the shooting brake is still as thrilling as before
What’s new?
Call this the entry-level version of the GTC4Lusso and you’ll upset some very proud Italian engineers. Ferrari’s shooting brake might now come with the brand’s turbocharged V8 – hence the ‘T’ in the name – and circa £30,000 lopped off the asking price, but there’s a lot more to it than simply offering an alternative to the naturally aspirated V12.
I’m assured that so much love and attention goes into everything the Italian carmaker does that it considers this a wholly different car – the “sixth product” in its line-up, to be precise.
The engine, which we’re familiar with from the 488 GTB supercar, has been given new pistons and a new intercooler design, while the exhaust system has been reworked to reduce pressure. On the face of it, the smaller engine is better suited than the V12 to GT car duties because it’ll go about 30 per cent longer between fuel stops.
The 10.25-inch high-definition touchscreen, introduced with the V12 model, works like a tablet and is excellent, while the passenger’s screen gets new features such as the ability to add navigation waypoints and take control of the music.
Looks and image
The GTC4Lusso is loosely based on its forebear, the FF. Only the chassis and some of the cabin shape has been retained – the rest is redesigned.
An engineer told us he would guess it’s “about 70 per cent new”, with a lot of the changes to the exterior coming from improving aerodynamic performance and modernising the styling.
It works, as pronounced rear haunches make the car look wide and purposeful, while the stunning circular rear lights look like a concept car feature that wasn’t meant to make production.
Inside, comfort is almost excellent. The seat design is clearly geared towards being sporty – a very good thing when you’re going great guns but mile-munching isn’t quite as luxurious as it could be.
