Ferrari GTC4Lusso

Ferrari GTC4Lusso

The Ferrari GTC4Lusso, introduced at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show as the successor to the FF, is one of the most unusual and technically ambitious cars Ferrari has ever produced. Its name references three historic Ferrari models: the 330 GTC, the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, and the broader tradition of Ferrari 2+2 grand tourers. The result is a car that offers a combination of attributes found in no other automobile: a naturally aspirated V12 engine, all-wheel drive, four seats, a shooting brake body with a large tailgate, and rear-wheel steering.

The engine is the same 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 found in the F12 Berlinetta, here producing 681 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 514 lb-ft of torque at 5,750 rpm. It is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission driving all four wheels through Ferrari's patented 4RM-S system. Unlike conventional all-wheel-drive systems that use a transfer case and center differential, Ferrari's system uses a separate power takeoff unit at the front of the engine to drive the front wheels through their own two-speed gearbox. This front unit operates independently, engaging only when needed and disconnecting entirely above third gear in normal driving, allowing the car to behave as a pure rear-wheel-drive machine at higher speeds while providing front-axle traction for low-speed corners, slippery surfaces, and adverse conditions.

The rear-wheel steering system, integrated with the 4RM-S and the electronic differential, turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the fronts at low speed for improved agility, and in the same direction at high speed for greater stability. The combination of all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering, and the electronic differential gives the GTC4Lusso a level of dynamic versatility that belies its considerable size and weight.

The shooting brake body, designed by Ferrari's Centro Stile, is a dramatic evolution of the FF's shape. The long roofline extends rearward to a large glass tailgate, creating a surprisingly spacious cargo area. With the rear seats in use, boot space is 450 liters; with them folded, it expands to over 800 liters, enough for skis, golf clubs, or substantial luggage for extended touring. The exterior design is more aggressive and resolved than the FF, with wider haunches, more prominent air intakes, and quad tail lights that reference the 308 and 348.

Inside, the GTC4Lusso introduces Ferrari's latest cabin design with a fully digital instrument cluster, a central 10.25-inch touchscreen, and a dedicated passenger display screen, a feature that would later appear in the Roma. The rear seats are genuinely usable for adults on shorter journeys, though legroom is tight for tall passengers. The driving position is excellent, with the steering wheel adjustable for reach and rake and the seats offering extensive electric adjustment.

The GTC4Lusso was also offered in a T (Turbo) variant with a 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 producing 610 horsepower in a rear-wheel-drive-only configuration. The V8 T was positioned as a more accessible and fuel-efficient alternative to the V12 model, though it lacked the V12's acoustic drama and the all-wheel-drive system's all-weather capability.

The GTC4Lusso was discontinued in 2020, replaced by the Purosangue SUV in Ferrari's lineup as the brand's practical, multi-seat offering. The discontinuation of the shooting brake body style and the naturally aspirated V12 in a four-seat configuration means the GTC4Lusso occupies a unique position in Ferrari's history, one that is unlikely to be repeated. As the last Ferrari to combine a naturally aspirated V12, four seats, all-wheel drive, and a practical body in a single package, the GTC4Lusso may well appreciate significantly as collectors recognize its singular nature.