Faster, more powerful and with a slicker aerodynamic profile, Ferrari has turned up the heat on its most practical model, the four-seater FF.
Now called the GTC4Lusso (a name that draws reference from historic models in the Italian firm’s back catalogue) the basic recipe of massive V12, four-wheel drive, and usable back seats remains.
The old car offered a dose of Ferrari magic to a market occupied by heavyweights like the Porsche 911 Turbo S, Bentley Continental GT and Mercedes-Benz CL AMG. Can the GTC4Lusso do the same?
A Ferrari you can use anywhere
Traditional supercars are not the most versatile or practical of vehicles – but the FF offered drivers a Ferrari that worked just as well on a long drive or snow covered road as it did on a track.
Its buyers were younger than Ferrari’s usual clients, and they clocked up 30 percent more miles in their grand tourers too.
The updated GTC4Lusso picks up from where the FF left off, with a few key additions to help keep its appeal fresh.
No downsizing here
Not only does the 6.3-litre V12 engine remain, it’s more powerful in the new car, with 680bhp and 697Nm of torque. You get 80 percent of the latter from 1,750rpm, providing massive flexibility and a 0-62mph time of 3.4 seconds.
Helping the tyres cope with this wedge of low-end torque on slippery surfaces is Ferrari’s 4RM Evo four-wheel drive system, which now includes rear-wheel steering like the limited edition F12tdf.
We’ve seen this system in other cars and it enables better manoeuvrability at low speeds and higher stability when pushing on.
You also get the latest generation of adaptive dampers, called SCM-E, which are said to improve rough road performance and ride comfort.
FF’s silhouette remains with some aerodynamic tweaks
Changes to the exterior include a new front grille with integrated air intakes, air vents on the wing, a roof-mounted spoiler and diffuser.
It has a sharper and more aggressive look than the FF, with chiselled lines on the doors and towards the rear to help minimise the overall visual weight.
Inside there is a “Dual Cockpit” theme with the passenger able to keep an eye on revs and speed thanks to a display above the glove box.
For the driver there’s a new 10.25-inch HD touchscreen and a smaller steering wheel than before, retaining the old car’s integrated controls.
We’ll see the new car at the Geneva International Motor Show in March. Check back for our full Ferrari GTC4Lusso review later this year.
