• Home
• /
• Entertainment
• /
• Auto

Can eight cylinders be better than 12?

IT'S AN AGE-old question: does size really matter? To which the answer is often, it depends what you do with what you have. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the new version of Ferrari's much discussed four-seat model, the GTC4Lusso T which, unlike its stablemate the GTC4Lusso, possesses a V8 engine instead of a V12. That's correct, a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8. And it has done away with the four-wheel drive system, reverting back to good old rear-wheel propulsion. Why would arguably the world's most famous sports car manufacturer do this, you may ask yourself? Well, off the bat, we loved it, so here is why a smaller engine Ferrari with four seats can hold its head high in the Prancing Horse line.
It's compact and quick
When we say it has four seats, we hope we're not giving off the impression it's in any way not a sports car. Sure, it's a grand tourer, but the back for us is a bit of an after thought. Sure it fits two adults and is very comfy but you really want to be up front with that long hood stretching in front of you. In the GTC4Lusso T beats a thoroughbred heart, pumping out 600hp. Given the car only weighs about 1.7 tonnes it has a 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds an a top speed of 320km/h, putting it in the upper echelons of performance.
It sounds the same, if not better
You may think, the more cylinders, the better the car. This isn't always the case. A V8 will have larger cylinders, with larger pistons, intakes and exhaust valves meaning the airflow can help with that gutsy warble. Put that alongside the trademark Ferrari engine growl you just can't fudge and you are going to love firing it up. Combined with the F1-style steering wheel, it's just a brilliant feeling every single time.
Can you handle it?
Yes. Anyone can. That's the beauty of a top of the range motor. This is a smart car that will have you diving into corners. The aim of the rear-wheel drive for the GTC4Lusso T was to give it a sportier feel. The combination of the car's lighter overall weight and increased weight bias towards the rear allowed the adoption of a specific set-up for the rear-wheel steering - plus it has algorithm controlled suspension for body control - making it feel more nimble with reduced roll. You can really feel it come into play in the tighter turns.
Does it look much different?
Not a huge amount from the GTC4Lusso, nor even the FF, but for some reason we think this one is the best incarnation yet. It still has that streamlined, tapered shape, but we think it looks a little meaner at the front. A tad more up for a bit of mischief, don't you think?
Would we buy one?
If we had a free run at any Ferrari, the GTC4Lusso T wouldn't be our first choice. That is reserved for the 488GTB, and it may not be our second - the new 488 Pista unveiled in Geneva this week is haunting our dreams - but if you want four-seats, there aren't many more interesting than this. It's a Ferrari, for crying out loud. You'd have to have rocks in your head not to want it!
SPECS
Engine: 3.9-litre V8 turbo
Power: 601hp
0-100km/h: 3.5 seconds
Top speed: 320km/h
david@khaleejtimes.com