UK Drive: The Ferrari GTC4Lusso offers practicality, performance and plenty of Italian flair

What is it?

The GTC4Lusso is what happens when Ferrari’s supercar owners complain about having to get in a car made by another brand when taking the family on holiday for the weekend, or going to the shops for anything more than a pint of milk.

Back in 2011 the Italian luxury car maker introduced the FF, a shooting brake supercar with room in the boot, supercar performance, and all-wheel-drive for climbing snowy mountains to ski resorts. And then in 2016 it overhauled the model and called it GTC4Lusso – the recipe’s the same with a stonking V12 under the bonnet and plenty of space for things and people, but the underpinnings are modernised.

What’s new?

Ferrari has ensured there have been plenty of updates to make the GTC4Lusso deserving of its new name, with one of the key aspects being the four-wheel-drive system, which is now much more intelligent at shifting power around than before. It’s also complemented by rear-wheel steering to improve agility, and is predominantly rear-wheel-drive unless grip levels are such that help is required from the fronts.

Aerodynamics have also been improved so there’s six per cent less drag and better cooling, the interior has been redesigned so everything is closer to hand and easier to use, it’s more powerful than before and is available with a new turbocharged V8.

What’s under the bonnet?

The V12 engine remains, but it’s been refined to offer more power and slightly lower emissions. Don’t let this eco-friendly tweak fool you into thinking the powertrain is anything other than a sensational, performance focused unit, though.

There’s 680bhp and 697Nm of torque available, up about 30bhp and 15Nm on before. This is achieved through redesigned piston heads, multi-spark ignition technology and reduced component weight. The result is a gloriously revvy engine – with a red line above 8,000rpm and peak torque at 5,750rpm, it goads you into keeping the throttle floored, howling as you’re catapulted into the distance.

What’s it like to drive?

As you might expect, this Prancing Horse isn’t a one trick pony. The GTC4Lusso doesn’t just woo you with its sonorous V12 in a straight line, it also handles brilliantly for an estate. The four-wheel-drive system and wide tyres ensure there’s always grip to punch you out of a corner, while the rear-biased set-up means it’s surprisingly agile.

However, the GTC4Lusso’s ability to transform into a comfortable long-distance cruiser is also worthy of note – this is the car Ferrari hopes owners will use for cross-continent holidays, after all. For all the obnoxious showmanship at full throttle, it settles down brilliantly. Fairly hard seats and a not-quite spot-on driving position mean it isn’t quite as perfect a companion as, say, a Porsche Panamera Turbo, but that car lacks the Italian’s theatre.

How does it look?

Given that Ferrari is best known for building jaw-droppingly pretty supercars, it’s no surprise that its take on a practical shooting brake is incredibly handsome. Viewed in profile to take in its silhouette, the long bonnet housing the V12 is exaggerated, and as you walk around to the back, the flared, wide arches give the GTC4Lusso a muscular appearance.

With huge quad-exit exhaust tailpipes, prominent Prancing Horse badging and gorgeous deep blue paint, it oozes appeal in a way only Ferraris can.

What’s it like inside?

Perhaps the GTC4Lusso’s only minor stumbling block is the cabin. It looks fantastic, particularly with our car’s exquisite tan leather upholstery. The steering wheel, with its drive mode switch, engine start/stop button and indicator buttons looks decidedly F1-inspired, and there’s a large, high-definition screen in the centre.

However, that screen could do with being pushed further away and being angled more towards the driver, and the physical buttons and dials on the centre console feel a bit cheap and flimsy. There are also other minor niggles, such as catching the dashboard trim above the pedals occasionally when going from throttle to brake, or questionable ergonomics for features such as the cruise control.

However, while you wouldn’t expect such grumbles from German equivalents – or from a car that’s the best part of £250k before options – the GTC4Lusso’s spine-tingling engine will likely be enough to make keen driver’s overlook the odd frustration.

What’s the spec like?

The equipment list is extensive, as even Ferrari couldn’t get away with being stingy with on-board kit when it comes to such a pricey car. As standard, it gets 20-inch alloy wheels that house carbon-ceramic brakes, bi-xenon headlights, front and rear parking sensors with a rear parking camera, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with integrated satellite navigation.

However, as you’d expect, you can go wild with the options list. A few highlights include £1,056 for Ferrari logos on the fenders, £7,104 for ‘special colours’ and an incredible £15,360 for a triple-layer paint job. There’s also a panoramic roof for £11,520, £1,920 for a leather boot carpet, and £2,880 for a carbon-fibre steering wheel.

Verdict