2016 Ferrari GTC4Lusso and GTC4Lusso T
The FF replacement gets a new V8 and uprated V12 engines, a fresh look, rear wheel steering and a revised interior
After five years in production, the Ferrari FF is no more. The FF has helped move perceived boundaries for the Italian thoroughbred car maker. In equal measure, the FF appalled traditionalists and appealed to new buyers.
The FF sports a shooting-brake three-door profile, has seating for four and was the first Maranello produced car to feature four-wheel drive. It’s a practical grand tourer rather than a raucous supercar (that with the all-wheel traction is what has annoyed the traditionalists) that has allowed Ferrari to expand its portfolio into a new market with new buyers.
Ferrari has now given the FF a mid-life refresh, and a new name to mark the occasion. The GT4CLusso gets minor styling tweaks, a redesigned dashboard, more power and improved dynamics.
While the FF stood for Ferrari Four referring to the number of seats and all-wheel drive, the GT4CLusso pays homage to historic Ferraris such as the 330 GTC and 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso.
So what’s new? Well at the front there’s a wider and redesigned grille for increased engine cooling, revised headlight pattern and a resculptured bonnet.
Down the sides, the door panels are reprofiled and the front wing vent is replaced with three fins.
At the back, the roofline has been lowered and a roof spoiler added, the number of taillights has doubled from two to four and the bumper has been redesigned.
Inside, there’s a significant change as the GT4CLusso gets a more modern interior. The infotainment system has been upgraded to an HD 10.25in touchscreen, with split view capability, featuring ApplePlay and a 3D sat-nav display.
Climate control buttons and drive select controls are simplified and the steering wheel has been reduced in size.
Ahead of the front passenger is an 8.8in HD colour screen that displays the car’s performance information and stats, and can be used to select music if the main screen is being used for, say the sat nav.
Between the seats is a softer and larger armrest for increased comfort while additional noise insulation has been added to improve refinement.
Under the resculptured bonnet remains the same naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V12 petrol engine from the FF, however, it’s been uprated with newly-designed piston heads, multispark injection and new software to punch out 681bhp and 514lb ft of torque at 5750rpm, up from 651bhp and 504lb ft in the FF. It’ll now rev through to a screaming high of 8250rpm while 80% of torque is now available from a lowly 1750rpm.
All that means is that the GT4CLusso will get from standstill to 62mph in 3.4 seconds (0.3s faster) and to 124mph in just 10.5 seconds, before topping out at a continent shrinking top speed of 208mph. It’ll return 18.8mpg on a combined cycle and emits 350g/km of CO2, both of which are slight improvements over the previous model.
It’s mated to a seven-speed F1 DCT gearbox and is fitted with an E-Diff electronic differential, with power being sent to the four corners of the car through Ferrari’s updated 4RM four-wheel drive system.
Perhaps more reason for the name change (from FF) is the introduction of the GTC4Lusso T which was unveiled at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. It ditches the four-wheel drive system for rear-wheel drive only and shoehorns a new engine under the hood. It’s a 3.9-litre V8 turbocharged petrol, developing 601bhp and 561lb ft of torque between 3000 and 5250rpm, becoming the first Ferrari four-seater car to be fitted with a V8 engine.
The new power unit and drivetrain results in a 0-62mph sprint of 3.5 seconds with 0-124mph taking 10.8 seconds and a new top speed of 198mph. Economy improves over the V12 to 20.3mpg and emissions are significantly reduced to 265g/km of CO2.
To maximise handling performance, the chassis attachment points are 20% stiffer than before and there’s a rear-wheel steering system, while thrust vectoring control can send up to 90% of available torque to the outside wheels (when cornering). Ferrari’s Magnaride SCM-E damping system ensures the GTC4Lusso can combine excellent handling with a supple ride.
Over the FF, aerodynamics have improved with a 6% reduction in drag coefficient (how well the car cuts through the air) due to the introduction of a slotted rear diffuser, the new rear spoiler, improvements in bodywork and a reduction in drag in the wheel arches.
Prices for the GTC4Lusso are up slightly to £230,430 with prices for the GTC4Lusso T yet to be announced.
