Ferrari has revealed a new version of its four-seater GTC4 Lusso called the ’T’ that uses a turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 engine for thrust instead of the 6.3-litre naturally-aspirated V12 that we’re more accustomed to. It will make its full premiere at the 2016 Paris Motor Show next week.
Watchers of the Maranello outfit should recognise the motor as an altered version of the unit used in the equally front-engined California T, which now provides the GTC4 Lusso with 449kW and 759Nm. If you’re counting, that is a 54kW decrease in maximum power but has 64Nm of torque added - a virtue of forced induction.
This new V8 version will be sold alongside the V12, marking a break from the norm for Ferrari in at least a few ways. First of all, it is the first time Ferrari has ever they have offered a choice of more than one engine for a given model. Secondly, it’s the first two-door four-seater Grand Tourer that they’ve introduced without a V12.
Thirdly, it will also be the first time Ferrari will offer a rear-wheel drive variant alongside four-wheel drive. Finally, it will be the first time that this same kind of Ferrari has ever not been naturally aspirated - predecessors like the 412, 456, 612 Scaglietti, and near-identical FF have all used atmospherical V12s.
Mainly due to its omission of all-wheel drive and smaller engine, the GTC4 Lusso T is lighter than its ‘non-T’ sibling by approximately 80kg. That latter reason does hurt the car’s all-weather ability, but Ferrari have tightened up its dynamic control systems to make sure owners don’t bin their new family friendly supercar too soon.
It still has the trick four-wheel steering system and the excellent Side Slip Control (SSC3). Of course, that gloriously orchestral V12 soundtrack will be missing from the GTC4 Lusso T, but Ferrari does know a thing or two about making a turbocharged car sound similarly - if not equally - breathtaking. For proof, there’s the F40 and more recent 488 GTB.
They’ve also equipped the V8 engine with new calibrations for its Variable Boost Management to ensure as little discernible turbo lag as possible as well as to endow it with a linear torque curve to mimic the V12’s response.
There’s little else revealed by Ferrari at this point, with virtually no information as to whether any interior changes were made or features omitted during the transition toward an entry model for the rebranded FF.
Quite ironically, it’s quite likely this V8 turbo GTC4 Lusso may be quicker in most acceleration situations than its more expensive counterpart thanks to that added torque. The current car reaches 100km/h from rest in 3.4 seconds. In-gear acceleration, too, may favour this turbocharged edition. However, for the lack of sheer top end power, the V12’s top speed of 335km/h should remain superior.
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