Ferrari Australia has announced the arrival of the newest member to their local portfolio of exotic Italian metal, this time it being the slightly lesser sibling to the GTC4Lusso.
Be in no doubt, though, that the GTC4Lusso T, turbocharged as it is to justify its marginally different name and sharing the same potent engine with the 488 GTB and California T, isn’t a diminished version of the ‘non-T’ GTC4Lusso.
Despite emphasis by Ferrari that targets customers for this technically lower tier four-seater shooting brake do not factor in the price difference - 10 percent less expensive - but rather because it has different strengths to its more expensive sibling.
In terms of raw figures, pricing for the GTC4Lusso T will start at $503,888 (including on-road costs), which is roughly $70,000 less expensive than the ‘non-T’ GTC4Lusso
The GTC4Lusso T is differentiated, primarily and obviously, by its powertrain. Instead of the 507kW/700Nm 6.3-litre naturally aspirated V12 that was carried over from the rather similar FF, motivation is supplied by a twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 that chucks out less power at 449kW but more torque at 760Nm.
Also important is its availability early in the rev range, with peak twisting force available from 3000rpm instead of the V12’s lofty 5,750rpm threshold. Additionally, the V12-powered GTC4Lusso sends drive to all four corners while the ’T’ is rear-driven only but retains four-wheel steer system.
That said, in a straight line, the lesser of the GTC4Lussos is a mere 0.1 seconds slower to 100km/h from rest than its V12 twin at 3.5 seconds. This is likely due to the quick-shifting 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and the weight advantage due to the smaller engine.
On the road too, the turbocharged engine’s earlier available torque will pay dividends at typical driving speeds, which some folk may prefer despite it not being quite as charismatic as the atmospheric motor.
First deliveries of the GTC4Lusso T are slated to begin in early 2018 for Australian customers.
For more on Ferrari vehicles, including pricing and specifications, check out our Showroom.
