Ferrari GTC4 Lusso T gets 610hp V8 turbo

Ferrari has revealed a new derivative of the GTC4 Lusso, called the GTC4 Lusso T, which uses a modified version of the California T’s 3.8-litre V8 engine. In the new model, the engine's power has been increased to 610hp and torque to 759Nm – around 73hp less, but 63Nm more than the standard V12 GTC4 Lusso.

This will be the first time that the Italian carmaker has offered a choice of two engines in a model. The GTC4 Lusso T will also be the first Ferrari car to be offered with rear-wheel-drive alongside the four-wheel-drive setup, as found in the current GTC4 Lusso.

A Ferrari spokesman said that the model would also be 80kg lighter than the standard GTC4 Lusso, largely due to the absence of a four-wheel-drive system. This brings its kerbweight down to 1,840kg, and the lighter unit means 46 percent of the car's weight sits over the nose, compared with 47 percent for the V12.

The GTC4 Lusso T’s dynamic control systems have been adjusted as well, with new settings for the car's four-wheel-steering and Side Slip Control (SSC3). Its engine also uses Variable Boost Management to eliminate turbo lag and offer variable torque curves from third to seventh gears, making for more linear acceleration.

The model is set to make its world debut at the upcoming Paris motor show. When it is launched, it will become the entry-level model in the GTC4 range.