The ‘family Ferrari’ is unleashed

The title doesn’t sound right — oxymoronic even — because, well, whoever thinks about casting a Ferrari in a domestic role? You don’t go asking Deadpool to take the kids to school, right? But I digress. Maybe you would, if you could.

That’s probably what the folks at Maranello were thinking when they trotted out the GTC4Lusso. It starts with stuff of what makes many hearty dishes complete: the sauce. In this vehicle’s case, it’s a compelling, thick, front mid-mounted 6,262-cc V12 that delivers a flavorful 681hp and a 697Nm kick (achieved at 5,750rpm). Of note, 80 percent of the torque promise is already available at just 1,750rpm.

Autostrada Motore, Inc. management team members fl ank the Ferrari GTC4Lusso at its Philippine launch. From left are: executive director Jason Soong, chairman and president Wellington Soong, marketing director Johnas Soriano, executive director Marc Soong, and general manager Natalia Trompeta.

Many observers consider the Lusso a worthy successor of the Ferrari FF, a shooting-brake (essentially a three-door station wagon) that first appeared in 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show. Significantly, it took its place in history as Ferrari’s first production four-wheel drive model.

“The FF, at the time, was a step in an extreme direction as a shooting-brake Ferrari. The Lusso has taken it a step further. It’s much more aggressive, and actually a better version of the FF,” said Autostrada Motore, Inc. executive director Marc Soong, in an exclusive interview. “I personally really, really enjoyed the FF, and I look forward to enjoying the Lusso even more.”

According to Ferrari, the GTC4Lusso’s name “references its illustrious predecessors, such as the 330 GTC or its 2+2 sister model, the 330 GT — one of Enzo Ferrari’s favorites — and the 250GT Berlinetta Lusso, which represented a sublime combination of elegance and high performance. The number four alludes to the car’s four comfortable seats. GTC stands for Grand Turismo Coupe and Lusso means ‘luxury’ in Italian.”

Even if in an unfamiliar form, the GTC4Lusso should be a purist’s delight armed with a naturally breathing V12 featuring “best-in-class power, agile reaction, velocity, and charming soundtrack.” The Italian manufacturer claims a top speed of 345kph, along with a zero-to-100kph time of 3.4 seconds.

Meanwhile, based on latest, fourth generation of the Side Slip Control, the GTC4Lusso’s  Ferrari-patented 4RM-s (four-wheel drive, four wheel-steering) system “integrates and controls the 4RM Evo four-wheel drive’s PTU (Power Transfer Unit), the rear-wheel steering, E-Diff and SCM-E active damping.”

A new, so-called dual-cockpit architecture serves up an enhanced “shared driving experience for both driver and passenger.” Additionally, “plush wrap-around seats and the cabin’s meticulously crafted quality materials create the same ambience as a luxurious living space for all occupants.” It is downright homey in there, too, courtesy of a new navigation and infortainment platform with a 10.2-inch HD screen that has capacitive touch technology.

Soong, who has logged considerable seat time with the Lusso, averred that his “best trips have been with three friends, when [they] could literally park in the beach.” When asked if this, indeed, could be called a “practical” Ferrari, he replied: “You can say that [because] you can use it every day. It’s a bold statement.” He also revealed that local buyers can expect the T variant (powered by a rear-wheel-driving V8) to be available locally soon.

So, who could benefit from a Lusso ownership? “Young families with two kids. Traditionally, having a sportscar isn’t the number-one choice. This solves the problem,” Soong declared, and added an observation that younger people are now looking at owning Ferraris.

Because, well, didn’t our parents teach us to be practical?