What’s the worth of half-a-second in our lives, nothing much right? But, it is history being made if it is a new Ferrari’s lap time on the company’s Fiorano test track. With the average car bearing the ‘Prancing Horse’ already doing blistering sub-5-second runs, a half-second is a lot being shaved off the clock.
That ‘historic’ new Ferrari is the GTC4Lusso. This is the successor to the Ferrari FF the four-seater coupé, which was originally launched about five years ago. The new GTC4Lusso while being talked about as a replacement to the FF actually attempts to more than just improve on the predecessor’s characteristics in the design, aerodynamics and performance departments. Instead of the FF’s seemingly direct reference to four seats and four-wheel drive, the GTC4Lusso’s name has a certain Italian ring to it, though only Ferrari insiders know the real reasons for the choice of moniker. But at least, we do know that some part of the nomenclature comes from Ferrari’s past – some of the older grand tourers like the 330 GTC or the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso. And then the ‘4’ in the name could well be four seats, four-wheel drive or the four-wheel steering.
The headlamp units are new, as is the redesigned air dam with three-slats in the characteristic Ferrari pattern. At the rear, Ferrari’s signature twin tail-lamps make an appearance, which are very reminiscent of the 612Scagliatti’s style. A boot lid integrated rear spoiler and dual twin tail pipes add to the sense of power and sportiness at the rear. Along the GTC4Lusso’s flanks, a new set of crease lines lend more athleticism to the new model compared to the FF.
The GTC4Lusso’s design is also heavily focused on aerodynamics and it achieves a six per cent improvement over the FF’s drag coefficient. Development work for the new car also looked at the issue of increasing downforce. On the flanks there is now a three-louvre air vent that recalls that of the 330 GTC. Ducts behind the louvres lead to both the engine compartment and the front wheelarch to reduce internal pressure helping cut drag and boost downforce.
Engine Ferrari has boosted the naturally aspirated 6,262 cc V12’s engine’s maximum power output to 690cv, making the GTC4Lusso the most powerful car in its segment. This is about 29cv more than the FF’s output. Both its 2.6 kg/cv weight-to-power-ratio and its 13.5:1 compression ratio set new records for the category, too. Maximum torque is 697 Nm at 5,750 rpm with 80 per cent already available at just 1,750 rpm, making it easy to drive at low revs and delivering quicker acceleration. Ferrari says that the GTC4Lusso is as equally at home in sports car mode as it is in more GT-type contexts, such as city centres or on long journeys. The transmission is Ferrari’s 7-speed F1 dual clutch transmission.
With a maximum speed of 335 kmph and acceleration from 0-100 kmph in just 3.4 seconds flat, this is very much a Ferrari despite its four-seats. Speaking of which, how can be a true Ferrari, unless it can also making the right sounds. The adoption of 6-in-1 exhaust manifolds with equal length pipes and a new electronic by-pass valve, and extensive tuning has helped produce a unique, soundtrack. Ferrari says that it provides a suitably sporting note during press-on driving, and it recedes to a subtle yet ‘potent purr’ in the city or on the motorway.
New Tech
The Ferrari FF already had the company’s proprietary four-wheel drive tech. The new GTC4Lusso further enhances the systems prowess with the addition of the patented new 4RM-S tech, which is essentially the four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering system. It now encompasses the electronic differential and the SCM-E suspension damping system. The rear-wheel steering system meanwhile features an integrated dynamic control model which makes the car more nimble going into corners, says Ferrari.
Another first in the new GTC4Lusso is the dual cockpit concept inside the cabin. Designed to enhance the shared driving experience for both driver and passenger, it features both a Driver Cockpit and a Passenger Cockpit separated by a central divider on which are clustered all of the comfort-oriented controls common to both. There are two screens on the dash in the GTC4Lusso (passenger’s optional).
The steering wheel is now more compact thanks to a new, smaller airbag. So, the instrument clusters behind the wheel are now more visible. The controls are also new and different in shape, function and positioning, with the aim of further improving ergonomics and ease of use. Of course, there are acres of double stitched leather and including on the wraparound sports seats. The number of sensors that relay environmental information to the climate control system has almost doubled and a new RLFSoSe (Rain Light AntiFogging Solar Sensor) has been added to make the aircon system more effective. The GTC4Lusso is being rolled out globally in a phased manner. The main target markets are expected to be China, the US and other Asian markets, where the four-seater coupé configuration has been in demand.