Elite Traveler Spring 2019

DISCOVER

The GTC4Lusso T is sporty and versatile with four full adult-capable seats, seven-speed dual clutch and newly launched dual cockpit architecture

by Alexandra Cheney Motoring

RISE OF THE EVERYDAY DRIVERS Ferrari isn’t exactly synonymous with daily drivers; two of its models, though — the GTC4Lusso T and the Portofino — debunk that notion. Deep within Ferrari lore, it is known that the strong-browed, brilliantly coiffed Enzo Ferrari preferred automobiles that transported him to the track over ones that raced on it. Despite the fact that his company cemented its status as the ultimate builder of street-legal race cars, Il Drake personally favored Prancing Horse’s Grand Tourers, like the 250 GT/E or the 330 GT: sports cars meant to be packed with weekenders, golf bags and beach towels, then driven up mountain passes and down to coastal hamlets. Paradoxically enough, a stigma has long trailed Ferrari’s 2+2s. The arrival of the GTC4Lusso T, the FF’s successor and Ferrari’s first V8 turbo-powered four-seater, as well as the Portofino, a stealth roadster that serves as the replacement to the California T (the best-selling vehicle in Ferrari’s 71-year history), could resolutely settle the issue. To test this, Elite Traveler worked the duo of cars through their paces on Southern California’s coast.

GTC4LUSSO T A FAMILY FERRARI

getting used to, as does the engine start/stop button. It can easily rival any F1 wheel in terms of buttons and knobs, but also in pragmatism, as the drive modes option — or manettino — sits on its lower right. Lusso, which means luxury in Italian, flows through the entirety of the GTC4Lusso T, from the improved sound insulation via a 25 percent decrease in climate control system noise to the newly launched dual cockpit architecture — a meaningful investment to ensure the oft-forgotten or absent luxe passenger space is equally as customizable and comfortable as that of the driver. Ferrari directs the GTC4Lusso T to those seeking something “sporty and versatile.” It’s also the lighter, rear-wheel drive, evolved sibling of the GTC4Lusso, a 681-hp, naturally aspirated, all-wheel-drive V12. Removing four cylinders from the front engine drivetrain shifts an impressive amount of the balance rearward, a welcome equilibrium whether you’re diving into corners or accelerating into straightaways. GTC4Lusso T from $256,000, auto.ferrari.com

Santa Monica’s perpetually sandy Bay Street parking lot is enjoyed by local surfers and Chanel location scouts alike, but not a single head turns as I pull in. The burbling arrival of the long, low, glass-roofed GTC4Lusso T, glistening against the late afternoon light, encapsulates the brand’s messaging. Behold a nimble and light shooting-brake coupé with a fastback-esque silhouette that’s also “perfect for driving on a daily basis.” Unquestionably, this Ferrari adapts to its surroundings. Measuring 3.5 inches longer than the 2019 Toyota 4Runner and boasting four full adult-capable seats, the 602-hp turbocharged rear-wheel-drive V8 is undoubtedly enigmatic. Its seven-speed dual clutch can change gears fully automatically, but the paddle shifters are more of a delight than a three-bears-type hindrance (too big, too small, too delicate, too stiff). I find myself purposefully downshifting to enjoy the crisp pop and gurgle, a welcome confirmation of the GTC4Lusso T’s designation within the Prancing Horse moniker. The steering wheel incorporates push-button turn signals, which admittedly take some