Never before had Ferrari created a car that defied tradition quite like the FF. Launched in 2011, the FF was the latest Ferrari 2+2, replacing the controversial looking 612 Scaglietti.
And although the styling of the 612 made some feel slightly queasy, it was still a clear evolution of the Ferrari 2+2; an FR V12 coupe.
With the FF, in an apparently successful attempt at drawing a younger clientele to Ferrari’s with four seats, Maranello took this time honoured formula and discarded it, and what came out was rather weird but brilliant; a 2+2 with an unusual shooting brake design, a huge front mounted V12 and very strangely for a Ferrari, four-wheel drive.
A few years on and Ferrari has built on this new formula with the introduction of their latest incarnation of the 2+2, the GTC4Lusso. The Lusso retains the basic shape of the FF but has a number of differences such as gills on the flanks, quad tail lights and more sculpted panels which combine to make a significant improvement to the look of the car.
The formula beneath the skin has also been retained, although the behemoth 6.3 litre V12 now produces a ludicrous 690 horsepower and there is the addition of four-wheel steering to compliment the fourwheel drive system.
In the cockpit, you’ll find a sumptuous and modern setup with a large screen dominating the centre of the dash through which a number of things can be controlled such as the climate control and navigation system.
The steering wheel is similar to all modern Ferrari’s, featuring engine starter and indicator buttons plus manettino dial, and having spent some time in the rear of the Lusso, I can confirm that the back seats are very functional and offer plenty of space.
This is one area where the practical advantage of the shooting brake design is apparent, providing a level of head room that couldn’t be achieved in a traditional coupe. It also adds to the genuinely useful amount of boot space.
Overall, the interior is beautifully designed and of the level of quality that you would expect from Ferrari.
My drive in the Lusso began at the Burj Al-Arab and after sliding into the driver’s seat I was immediately confronted with the familiar mystique that all Ferrari’s seem to possess.
It just feels special, and pushing the start button only enhanced this feeling as the V12 burst into life before settling into a subtle but menacing burble.
The first leg of the journey was down the Emirates Road to the Ritz-Carlton Al Wadi in Ras alKhaimah, hardly suitable territory for testing out the performance of a near 700 horsepower Ferrari, but it did offer a glimpse into what it might be like to use this car every day which in the Lusso, is just as important as its ability to throw down.
Ferrari are keen to point out that this is a family Grand Tourer that has genuine daily usability, and I can’t argue against that. The Lusso is very refined and comfortable and it seems to be a bit quieter and less urgent than the FF was, as well as being easy to drive and very adept at cruising long distances.
After a relaxing drive to the hotel and a spot of lunch, it was time to head for the Jebel Jais mountain road to test the Lusso’s most important credential; its ability to go fast.
I could barely contain my excitement as we approached the base of the mountain, and after scaling one a series of speed humps the temptation was too much, so I floored it from a near standstill and the car briefly broke traction as it lurched forward with utter ferocity offering a brief but tantalizing glimpse of what was to come, and as soon as we were given the go ahead I put my foot to the floor, unleashing what can only really be described as satanic fury.
The sound that the V12 makes as it approaches its 8,250rpm redline is extraordinary; it’s one of the most deliciously textured and complex engine sounds that I’ve experienced, and the power it produces is totally intoxicating.
Going into a corner in the Lusso you are immediately in awe of its stability, and considering it has a kerb weight of 1,920kg and therefore weighs in at over two tonnes with a couple of occupants, it doesn’t feel that weighty at all and with the help of four wheel steering, it gets around tight corners with brutal efficiency.
But my favourite thing about the way the Lusso performs comes while exiting a corner where the V12’s enormous power is put onto the tarmac with no loss of traction whatsoever, and you are catapulted forward with a seemingly endless wave of acceleration, and you don’t even need to be a particularly good driver to experience what the Lusso has to offer since its performance is staggeringly accessible.
The GTC4Lusso is an excellent Grand Tourer that totally outperforms anything else in its class, and does so while being distinctive. Does a Bentley Continental or a Rolls-Royce Wraith do the GT thing better? Perhaps, but the gulf isn’t huge.
The difference in performance between those cars and the Lusso, on the other hand, is huge as the chap driving the Wriath I hustled up Jebel Jais found out. I know I shouldn’t have, but like all things with this stunning Ferrari it was simply irresistible.
