Review: Ferrari GTC4 Lusso

Introduction

During my visit to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, I couldn’t resist the temptation of a drive in one of Enzo’s magnificent creations. As you approach the factory grounds, you pass several rental spots where bright red machines stand proudly on display. The lineup includes models such as the California, 355, 458, 488, or the GTC4 Lusso. What intrigued me most was the chance to experience the legendary naturally aspirated V12, so the choice was clear. Time to head for the hills surrounding Maranello!

First Impression

The GTC4 Lusso is a sizeable car—one of the few Ferrari models capable of seating four adults. In terms of proportions, it’s closest to a Porsche Panamera, yet its silhouette is far more captivating. The Lusso is shorter, lower, and wider than the Porsche. Its bonnet is so long you could easily lie down on it comfortably. No wonder—it houses a massive engine that, of course, had to be placed behind the front axle, pushing the cabin rearwards and creating a true shooting brake profile. And unlike a Mercedes wagon, this is a real shooting brake. In typical Ferrari fashion, the car’s design was first and foremost optimised for aerodynamics, though that didn’t stop the designers from adding muscular wheel arches, broad rear haunches, and a low-slung front end. Graceful indeed!

Interior

Sliding into the driver’s seat, the first thing you notice is the very low-mounted yet comfortable chair. Your legs stretch deep under the dashboard, the compact steering wheel sits high and close to your chest, while your body is wrapped in by the tall centre tunnel and the high window line. All the key controls—manettino, indicators, lights, wipers, suspension settings—are placed directly on the steering wheel, so your hands never have to leave it and your focus stays on the drive. Dominating the view ahead is a large analogue tachometer, redlined at 10,000 rpm, positioned squarely in front of the driver and framed by two big air vents that close off the cockpit. The less critical buttons and the central screen sit lower on the dashboard, while in front of the passenger seat, there’s an additional display showing current speed, selected gear, and engine revs.
What surprised me a little was the quality of the interior materials. Considering the price of this scarlet thoroughbred, I expected truly luxurious finishes. Instead, it felt as though Ferrari had used materials on par with those in the Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio—still decent and pleasant to the touch, but not quite as extravagant as one might anticipate.

Handling

Time to get to the heart of the matter and awaken the legendary 6.3-liter V12 with its 680 horsepower. Starting it up is a little different from a “normal” car—pressing the big red button on the steering wheel sets off the fuel pump, which takes a moment to deliver enough explosive liquid to all twelve cylinders. After a brief pause, the exhaust barks sharply before settling into a softer echo that fades into the surroundings as the revs calm down.
What’s truly astonishing is the silky, even operation of this perfectly balanced V12. No vibrations, no hesitation, no unburnt fuel. The coin-on-the-engine test would be child’s play for it. The engine purrs contentedly, waiting for the next command.

To get moving, all it takes is a pull on the classic, Ferrari-sized paddle behind the wheel and a shift into first gear. Immediately, the incredibly direct and short steering grabs your attention. Once this heavy, sizeable car is rolling, you don’t feel like you’re piloting a ponderous Panamera GTS on the highway—instead, it evokes the more agile feel of an older E63 W212 or an M5 F11. The chassis is satisfyingly taut, yet surprisingly compliant. True to its Italian Gran Turismo roots, it’s clear you could effortlessly cruise from Milan to Rome and back - on the same day.

The naturally aspirated, magnificent engine glides effortlessly with its abundant torque (697 Nm), pushing the Lusso through the narrow streets around the Ferrari factory, purring low and bassy as it waits for the chance to stretch its legs. Once we clear the industrial grounds, my Italian rental colleague gives the nod “GO” and I press the accelerator firmly and smoothly to the floor. The car pins me into the seat, the engine climbs the revs, and the exhaust’s voice shifts tone in that unmistakable Ferrari way.
Accompanied by the audible intake noise coming from beneath the long hood, the sound gradually transforms from a deep baritone to a high-pitched, air-tearing, almost animalistic roar—what a noise! I can’t stop grinning. Lusso still has one more trick up its sleeve—the lightning-fast downshift triggered by the left paddle comes with an exquisite rev-matching blip, music to any enthusiast’s ears. From the exhaust pour glorious, dramatic burbles, orchestrated perfectly by the seamless duet of a brilliant dual-clutch gearbox and this phenomenal engine.

After a stretch on the main road, we turn onto a narrow, winding country lane snaking through the hills around Maranello—a section as picturesque as it is smooth. Here, the GTC4 feels just as composed and comfortable as it does on faster, straighter stretches. Thanks to its excellent weight distribution and the placement of the engine, it folds into corners with grace, masking its size and heft. The four-wheel steering and Magnetic Ride suspension certainly help in this regard.
The immense power, combined with the efficient braking system featuring tireless ceramic discs, makes covering these kilometres an absolute pleasure. The Italians clearly know their craft. The all-wheel-drive system also deserves praise: unlike any other car I’ve driven, it introduces no hint of annoying understeer. In fact, it’s hard to even notice the front axle is powered—the system works discreetly, only revealing itself on wet or snowy tarmac. Pure Ferrari magic.

Summary

Even today, recalling that extraordinary drive, I still feel a rush of excitement. For any car enthusiast, there’s no more perfect combination than a twisting road and a naturally aspirated Ferrari V12. It’s no wonder the Italian brand sees steady sales growth year after year and enjoys an impeccable reputation worldwide. Italians are renowned for their passion, and in these cars, you can truly feel that they’re crafted from the heart. The prancing horse on the hood has always been a guarantee of emotion and top-tier performance. No other marque can boast decades of experience in the queen of motorsports - Formula 1, nor combine engineering and passion so consciously. I finally had the privilege of experiencing it firsthand.

Ferrari has never wavered or searched for its identity - its focus has always been on performance, emotion, and stunning design. This is best captured by Enzo Ferrari’s philosophy of continuous improvement and innovation: “Il più bel Ferrari è quello che deve ancora venire.” – “The most beautiful Ferrari is the one that is yet to come.”