Ferrari GTC4 Lusso 2017 review

You want a V12-powered Ferrari, but you have growing responsibilities. A strictly two-seater supercar just doesn't quite fit when the kids start to arrive.

Of course, you can add a Ferrari F12 to your collection and buy a Merc-AMG family truck to hide the functional stuff.

But it's not the same. You want to have your Italian cake and eat it too. Meet the Ferrari GTC4Lusso, the latest iteration of the fast-paced, luxurious four-seat coupe that can cross continents in one leap without even a drop of sweat on its forehead.

It's fast, furious enough, and able to place family or friends on a fast flight to any place you decide to go. And, as usual with the best dishes of Maranello, the name speaks for itself.

"GT" stands for "Gran Turismo" (or Grand Tourer), "C" stands for "Coupe", "4" stands for number of passengers, "Lusso" stands for luxury, and of course "Ferrari" is Italian for " fast".

Ferrari GTC4 2017: Luxury
Safety Rating	-
engine's type	3.9 L turbo
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	11.6l / 100km
Landing	4 Places
Price from	No recent ads

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

Unveiled to the world at last year's Geneva Motor Show, the GTC4Lusso represents a significant evolution of the outgoing FF and follows classic Ferrari GT form with a gorgeous 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine sitting majestically in its nose.

The proportions of the car follow this configuration with a long nose and a set back, slightly tapered cabin, keeping essentially the same silhouette as the FF. But Ferrari redesigned the nose and tail; while adjusting the aerodynamics.

Ferrari redesigned the nose and tail. (Image credit: Thomas Veleki)

There are plenty of new vents, ducts and louvres that contribute to a claimed six percent improvement in drag coefficient.

For example, the diffuser is a piece of aerodynamic art that mimics the shape of a keel, with vertical baffles directing airflow towards the center to reduce drag and increase downforce.

Cargo space is really helpful. (Image credit: Thomas Veleki)

A wide, one-piece grille dominates a sleeker front end that transitions from vertical to a distinct forward slant, while a neat chin spoiler enhances the sportier look.

Large XNUMX-blade vents in the front fenders add more aggression, while the rear side window and tailgate handling has been refined and simplified.

Always a subjective opinion, but we think the restyling work done in-house by Ferrari Design has made an already distinctive car even more appealing.

Ferrari says the interior has been designed around the "double cab" concept to "improve collaborative driving" and the interior is beautiful.

There is a new 10.3-inch color touch screen with an updated interface for climate control, satellite navigation and multimedia. It's backed by a more powerful 1.5GHz processor and 2GB of RAM, and it's much better.

"Our" car also boasts an optional ($9500) 8.8-inch "passenger display" that includes performance readings and now the ability to select music and fiddle with navigation.

The attention to detail in the design and the quality of its execution is breathtaking. Even the thin sun visors in our test unit were hand-sewn from leather. And the pedals are drilled out of alloy. Not aluminum covers or some other artificial creation - real aluminum, right down to the passenger's footrest.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

This time we can mention Ferrari and practicality in the same breath because the Lusso offers roomy front seat. и rear. Forget 2+2, rear seats for adults.

With all its drive and dynamic technology on board, it's hard to imagine a more elegant and powerful four-seater for your next chalet trip for a daring off-piste skiing weekend.

The diffuser is a work of aerodynamic art. (Image credit: Thomas Veleki)

In fact, Ferrari says the FF has attracted a new, younger group of owners who use their cars more.

Admittedly, Ferraris don't typically garner huge revs, but 30 percent above average mileage is significant.

Front-seat passengers fit comfortably into spacious and intricate sports seats with slim door card pockets and bottle storage, one large cup holder in the massive center console, and a lidded bin (which doubles as a center armrest). 12 volt case and USB sockets.

There's also a decent-sized glove box, and a second tray is located closer to the dash to store your black credit cards, Vertu phones, and assorted jewelry. The leather-trimmed double door is reminiscent of the finest Milanese wardrobe.

There is a decent sized glove box. (Image credit: Thomas Veleki)

A long leather-wrapped transmission tunnel continues uninterrupted to the rear, separating the separate rear bucket seats. A pair of jet fighter-style vents sits in the center, slightly ahead of two more cup holders and a small storage box with additional USB ports.

But the big surprise is the amount of head, leg and shoulder room that's on offer in the back. The doorway is huge, and the front seats quickly tilt and slide forward with the flick of a handle, so getting in and out is relatively easy.

It's a very comfortable and relaxed seat, and at 183 cm I could sit in the front seat set in my position with plenty of headroom and three to four centimeters between my knees. Finding room for your toes under the front seat is trickier, but a long trip in the back seat of a Lusso is fine.

The only caveat is the test car's optional "Panoramic Glass Roof" ($32,500!), which essentially removes the roof lining, and it would be fun to sit in the car without it.

The luggage compartment is very useful: 450 liters with the rear seats up and 800 liters with them folded.

There is no spare tire; the slime jar repair kit is your only option.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 6/10

At $578,000, the GTC4Lusso is in serious territory, and as you'd expect, the list of standard features is no less impressive.

Key features include bi-xenon headlights with LED indicators and daytime running lights, LED taillights, 20-inch alloy wheels, an electric cargo door, front and rear parking sensors, as well as a rear parking camera, cruise control, dual-zone climate control. peripheral anti-theft system (with lift protection), keyless entry and start, a 10.3-inch touchscreen interface that controls 3D navigation, multimedia and vehicle settings, eight-way adjustable heated electric seats with air bolsters and lumbar adjustment, and three memory. , carbon-ceramic brakes, power steering with memory and easy entry, a custom car cover and even battery air conditioning.

The entire Lusso transmission can easily be described as one big active safety system. (Image credit: Thomas Veleki)

And that's before you get to the "normal" stuff like leather trim, a nine-speaker audio system, power windows and mirrors, and all the dynamic and safety tech we'll talk about shortly. 

Then comes the list of options.

There is a compelling theory that once you get past a certain dollar threshold when buying a car, say $200K, those options must be expensive, otherwise owners will have nothing to brag/complain about when presenting their latest acquisition to colleagues at the yacht club. car park.

“Do you know how much that hatch cost me… just the hatch? Yes, 32 pieces ... I know, yes!

By the way, this "Low-E" glass roof can buy you the Subaru XV Premium that Richard recently tested... complete with a standard sunroof! 

Briefly, "our" car was fitted with $109,580 worth of extra features, including a roof, forged wheels ($10,600), "Scuderia Ferrari" fender guards ($3100), "Hi-Fi premium" audio system ($10,45011,000) and (must have) front and rear suspension lift system ($XNUMXXNUMX).

  This model follows the classic shape of the Ferrari GT. (Image credit: Thomas Veleki)

A carbon-rich steering wheel with F1-style LED shift lights is $13, and a super-cool enamel badge under the rear spoiler lip is $1900.

You can point your finger and feign shock at such numbers, but it all comes down to the ultimate personalization process that is the experience of buying a Ferrari; to the point where the factory now puts a large sized plate on each of its vehicles listing the installed options and confirming its original specification forever.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 9/10

The Lusso is powered by a 6.3-degree 65-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine producing 507 kW (680 hp) at 8000 rpm and 697 Nm at 5750 rpm.

It has variable intake and exhaust valve timing, a high 8250rpm rev ceiling, and changes from the FF setup include redesigned piston crowns, new anti-knock software and multi-spark injection for a four percent increase in power. power and an increase in maximum torque by two percent.

Also new for Lusso is the use of a six-in-one exhaust manifold with equal length pipes and a new electronic wastegate.

Lusso is equipped with an incredibly fast seven-speed F1 DCT dual-clutch transmission, working in parallel with the new and improved Ferrari 4RM-S system, which combines four-wheel drive and now four-wheel steering. for increased power and dynamic response.

Drive and steering technology is integrated with Ferrari's fourth-generation side-slip control system, as well as the E-Diff electronic differential and SCM-E suspension damping system.

Будьте в курсе carsweekly guide newsletter

How much fuel does it consume? 6/10

In case you're interested - and if the Lusso is indeed on your shopping list, you're almost certainly not - the claimed fuel economy is reassuringly voracious.

Ferrari claims a combined city/extra-urban figure of 15.0 l/100 km, emitting 350 g/km CO2. And you'll need 91 liters of premium unleaded gasoline to fill the tank.

What is it like to drive? 8/10

While the big V12's maximum torque is only reached at 6000rpm, 80% of it can be obtained as early as 1750rpm, meaning the Lusso is agile enough to laze around town or race towards the horizon with the enormous acceleration available with a single twist of the right ankle.

We were able to get through more than a gentle climb (at a reasonable speed) in seventh gear with the engine more or less spinning at 2000 rpm. In fact, in automatic mode, the dual clutch always tends to the maximum gear ratio.

The overall driving experience of the GTC4Lusso is excellent. (Image credit: Thomas Veleki)

But if the mood is a little more urgent, then despite a solid 1.9-ton curb weight (with "Performance Launch Control"), this family force of nature can sprint to 0 km/h in just 100 seconds. , 3.4-0 km/h in 200 and up to a stunning top speed of 10.5 km/h.

From a raucous growl at launch, through a beefy mid-range roar to a heart-rending howl at high revs, pushing the Lusso up to its 8250 rpm ceiling is a special event... every time.

Channeling all that direct traction into lateral force is the work of a double-wishbone front suspension, a multi-link rear suspension with magnetic dampers and other electronic weirdos in support.

Despite the 4WD system, the weight balance is perfect, 47 percent front and 53 percent rear, and the "SS4" torque vectoring setting distributes torque to the front axle when needed, even faster than the FF.

The 20-inch Pirelli P Zero tires grip like a Donald Trump handshake. (Image credit: Thomas Veleki)

The 20-inch rubber Pirelli P Zero grips like a Donald Trump handshake (as do the sports front seats), and the monster brakes - vented carbon discs front and rear - are mega.

Even in tight corners in first gear, the Lusso turns quickly and smoothly thanks to all-wheel steering and excellent electric power steering, stays neutral in the middle of the corner and cuts power output sharply.

Switch the handlebar-mounted Manettino dial from Sport to Comfort and the Lusso shifts into an impressively flexible mode, deftly soaking up even the sharpest imperfections.

In short, it's a big beast, but from point to point, it's an intimidatingly fast, surprisingly nimble, and extremely entertaining ride.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

3 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10

You can easily characterize the entire Lusso drivetrain as one big active safety system with all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, side slip control and E-Diff, keeping even the most determined acceleration attempts under control.

Add to that ABS, EBD, F1-Trac traction control and tire pressure monitoring and you have safety all the way. But next to the lack of AEB should be a big black mark. 

If you manage to get past it all and get into an accident, there are front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger, but no curtains front or rear. Unfortunately, not good enough for a car with such characteristics and price. However, each of the rear seats has ISOFIX child restraint mounts.

GTC4Lusso has not been tested by ANCAP.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 8/10

Ferrari offers a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, the last part of that equation is somewhat amusing because most Ferraris don't travel very far...ever.

Service is recommended every 12 months or 20,000 km, and the seven-year Genuine Maintenance program includes scheduled maintenance and repairs, as well as genuine parts, oil, and brake fluid for the original owner (and subsequent owners) for the first seven years of vehicle operation . a life. Brilliant.

Verdict

The Ferrari GTC4Lusso is a truly fast, beautifully built and supremely luxurious four-seat coupe.

Sadly, increasingly stringent emissions regulations have brought atmo V12 cars to the brink of extinction, while Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin and a few others hang on the brink of grim death.

In fact, the twin-turbo V8 Lusso T (with the same engine used in the California T and 488) will arrive and be sold alongside this car in Australia later this year.

But we would like to suggest a captive breeding program to keep the big V12 alive because the soundtrack of this engine and the overall driving experience of the GTC4Lusso is great.