Ferrari’s GTC4Lusso T, built on the success of GTC4Lusso, introduces a whole new Ferrari GT concept. It is the first four-seater in Ferrari’s illustrious history to sport a V8 turbo engine and is aimed at owners seeking a car that is sporty and versatile but also perfect for everyday driving.
The 3.9-litre V8 turbo powering the Lusso T is the latest evolution of the engine family named overall “2016 International Engine of the Year”. It delivers a maximum power output of 602 hp at 7,500 rpm to the rear wheels, which in the real world translates to a 0-to-100 kmph acceleration in 3.5 seconds on the way to its top speed of 320 kmph.
The V8 turbo’s signature characteristics suit day-to-day driving in urban contexts: a rich, powerful soundtrack at high speeds that becomes more muted at lower speeds. It is nimble and responsive courtesy of the versatile, modular torque delivery across a wide range. The Lusso T also features further refinements to its shooting brake coupé lines which takes it closer to an almost fastback-like silhouette.
The rear-wheel-drive Lusso T and the V12 all-wheel-drive Ferrari GTC4Lusso are the latest interpretation of the four-seater concept to come from Maranello. The concept combines performance with seating for the driver and three passengers. The history of the four-seater at Ferrari is long and illustrious and begins in 1948.
The 166 Inter, introduced in 1948, was Ferrari’s first ever two-door four-seater road-going model and thus, the first true predecessor of today’s Lusso. It was based on the 166 sports racing models, such as the 166 MM Barchetta, with which it shared a slightly lower-powered version of the sophisticated 2-litre V12. Typical for those years, no two cars were alike, and one of the most popular coachbuilders of the Inter was Carrozzeria Touring.
Then in 1960, the 250 GT 2+2 became the first four-seater Ferrari to be produced in large numbers. In fact, nearly 1,000 cars were built between the model’s launch at Le Mans 24 Hours in 1960 and 1963. Although there had been other Ferrari models designated 2+2s in the early 1950s, the 250 GT 2+2 was the first with proper four-seat accommodation, and the concept proved to be extremely popular, accounting for about two-thirds of the total Ferrari 250 GT road car production of the period. The Pininfarina-designed car was equipped with the 3-litre version of the V12 producing 240 hp, with the last fifty examples being fitted with 4-litre engines and designated 330 America.
The 330 GT 2+2 coupé replaced the 330 America. Styled by Pininfarina, it was characterised by its front-end styling that included large quad headlights emphasised by chrome surrounds. Upon its introduction at the Brussels Salon in January 1964, the new 2+2 model garnered much praise from the press at the time and was considered to offer substantial improvements over its predecessor. One of the most famous owners of the 330 GT 2+2 coupé was John Lennon of Beatles fame who was bought a model in 1965 by his bandmates the day he passed his driving test.
In 1967, the 365 GT 2+2 was presented at the Paris Motor Show as the replacement for the 330 GT 2+2. With its elegant, imposing lines, it was the first Ferrari to feature power steering and air conditioning as standard for the American market.
The 365 GTC4 was the 1971 successor to the 365 GT 2+2. The body style was very different from the models that it replaced: gone were the graceful rounded curves and the elliptical radiator grille which were replaced by a much more angular wedge design, which was coming into vogue at the time. The more compact design of a two-seater coupé hid the fact that the car had two small rear seats which had folding backs to increase luggage space.
In 1972, Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2 was introduced featuring a brand-new design from Pininfarina, who were tasked with developing a fast, svelte and elegant 2+2 to be powered by the classic 4.4-litre VI2 engine. The new design also had to break with the more classical lines of the 1967 365 GT 2+2 as well as provide greater rear seat space than the 1971 GTC4. The 365 GT4 2+2 model was announced at the 1972 Paris Salon and continued in production until 1976. It was replaced by the 400 series which maintained the refined styling that exuded an air of sporting luxury right up until its final interpretation, the 1985 5-litre 412 which ended production in 1989.
In 1992, the 456 GT took the luxury 2+2 coupé theme to new heights and saw Ferrari return to the front-engine concept for the first time since the 1968 365 GTB4. The all-new 65° V12 provided unprecedented flexibility and power. This model may be considered the first direct predecessor of the Lusso where one finds the genesis of Lusso’s silhouette and design elements. The 456 was succeeded by the 612 Scaglietti between 2004 and 2011. Its larger size made it a genuine four-seater with adequate space in the rear seats for adults.
Then in 2011 came the FF, a four-seater that was Ferrari’s first production four-wheel drive model which according to Ferrari, was the fastest four-seater upon its release. Its silhouette, described as a shooting-brake, a type of sporting hatchback with two doors, has transitioned into the Lusso.
The Ferrari GTC4Lusso, first introduced in 2016 as a successor to the FF, featured updated lines and a new interior. More importantly, the all-wheel drive on the new four-seater has four-wheel steering which allows all four wheels to steer and propel the car, which in turn allows the car to turn as fast as it can accelerate. It also sports the latest evolution of the naturally-aspirated GT V12 powerhouse which now produces 680 horsepower, capable of accelerating the GTC4Lusso from zero to hundred kmph in 3.4 seconds on the way to its 333 kmph top speed.
