Cars
With the launch of the third turbocharged Ferrari, this type of engine has now permeated the highest echelon of the automobile kingdom. To find out if this is the way to the future, Andre Lam takes to the splendid mountains of Italy in the new Gtc4lusso T
With the launch of the third turbocharged Ferrari, this type of engine has now permeated the highest echelon of the automobile kingdom. Andre Lam test-drives the new Gtc4lusso T to find out if this is the way to the future
Ferrari has long incorporated the turbocharger into its Formula One cars, and more recently, its road-ready cars. With the California T and the 488, it was clear that turbocharging delivered the highest possible level of performance while lowering fuel consumption and emissions. However, with the latest addition to the Ferrari family, the Gtc4lusso T, there is a twist to the story. In 2016, I had the chance to drive the Gtc4lusso, which featured a 6.3L naturally aspirated V12 engine and Ferrari’s proprietary all-wheel drive (AWD) system. This year, I am getting behind the wheel of the Gtc4lusso T, which flaunts a different engine: a 3.9L bi-turbo V8 that also powers the California T. The car also opts for a rear-wheel drive instead of the AWD system, bringing it back to its roots. Although the Gtc4lusso T has to make do with 610 hp, which is 80hp less than the almighty V12 Gtc4lusso, its performance is nearly as good. It still zips to 100km/h in 3.5sec, hits 200km/h in 10.8sec and reaches a top speed of 320km/h. Moreover, the V8 boasts a torque figure of 760Nn, which is a big jump from the
V12’s 697Nm. This is due to Ferrari’s clever Variable Boost Management system, which erases any trace of turbo lag by ensuring the turbocharger gradually builds power in each gear instead of attempting to deliver it all at once. The system has been hailed the best in the business by the motoring press. The performance of the new Gtc4lusso T is even more impressive because it does not have the aid of the complex AWD system like the V12 edition. One might ask, what is the fuss of having the AWD system in the first place? Well, in inclement weather, the AWD kicks in to fully harness maximum horsepower. Moreover, the system’s all-weather capability gives car enthusiasts living in wintry climes a good reason to get a Ferrari and drive it any day regardless the weather conditions. As I ascended the mountains west of Florence in Italy, the weather was glorious.
The Gtc4lusso T is certainly more of a grand tourer with its longstriding character than the frenzied drive that the V12 offers
It was a perfect spring day—cool, dry and sunny—for the Gtc4lusso T to show what it is made of. Without a V12 engine and the AWD mechanics, the car was lighter on the front. This translated into extremely sharp steering response, which might take some getting used to but is nonetheless a sign of wonderful agility. With the twin-turbos in place, the car’s exhaust sounds more muted than the V12’s. Sure, some may miss the piercing war cry, but they will find excitement in other places—from the effortless and neck-snapping acceleration to the thrilling speed at which the car can approach corners with full control. The Gtc4lusso T is certainly more of a grand tourer with its long-striding character than the frenzied drive that the V12 offers. The massive torque from turbocharging allows the Gtc4lusso T to stay in higher gears longer, making it a better option for long-distance drives; while its better fuel efficiency gives it 30 per cent more range per tankful than the V12. As I traversed the serpentine roads of Tuscany in Sport mode, I could feel the car controlling its chassis with an iron fist and placing its engine and transmission on full
alert so as to allow its body to blast out of every corner with confidence. If you are driving in the city, switch to Comfort mode, which also packs a punch with a surprisingly sportier suspension control than its label suggests. Ferrari wants the Gtc4lusso T to be known as a different model from the Gtc4lusso, and in many ways, including the earlier mentioned points, it is. On the visual front, eagle-eyed gearheads will notice the difference between the two models. Your clues from the newer model are the set of wheels with a wider splayed 10-spoke pattern, and second, its tailpipe tips. The rest of the interior and exterior remain unchanged. If anything, the driving experiences truly differentiate the two. While cruising, the Gtc4lusso T is more relaxed and effortless with the long gearing. As it navigates through the mountains, it is edgier as the power coursing through its rear wheels deeply influences the way it handles the more challenging routes. In the end, the Gtc4lusso T gives you great satisfaction as it relies only on your driving skills to successfully scythe through a sequence of difficult bends. It validates your prowess as an adept driver and you recall that you are not getting help from the intelligent fourwheel drive system. It is exactly this sense of involvement that Ferraristas look for in their steed—the essence of a true Ferrari that knows its roots.