New vs used - Ferrari FF vs GTC4Lusso: what are the top 3 differences?

The Ferrari FF was only one in a long line of Ferrari GT cars that traces a lineage back to the Ferrari 365 GT4 of 1972. The recipe was simple, place a sonorous V12 up front, keep the styling muted and agreeable and give it enough space inside to house 4 adults. The 365 GT4 would eventually evolve into the 400 and 412. The 400 was actually the first Ferrari to ever be offered with an automatic gearbox, a sign of how Enzo Ferrari intended for the GT cars to be used.

Related: Top 3 Ferrari FF features that stand out from the competition.

After the 412 came the 456 which was followed by the 612 Scaglietti and then the ground-breaking FF. The FF name breaks from more traditional Ferrari naming conventions and stands for "Ferrari Four" as the FF introduced another first for the company, four-wheel drive. Using the 4RM four-wheel-drive system, the FF exhibited outstanding all-weather prowess and impeccable grip levels.

The FF was replaced in 2016 by the GTC4Lusso that followed the same recipe. The GTC4Lusso is rather similar to the FF in overall shape but the keen fanatic will spot the new headlights, front bumper, redesigned fenders and, most importantly, the round taillights. Perhaps we're being too general here, so take a look at the changes that really matter.

 

1. Engine and power

Both the FF and the GTC4Lusso are powered by a variant of the Ferrari F140 engine. The EB version in the FF is a 6 262 cc, 65-degree V12 that produces 485 kW at a glorious 8 000 RPM and develops 682 Nm at 6 000 RPM. This power is enough to get the FF to 100 km/h from a standstill in only 3.7-seconds, 0 to 200 km/h in 11-seconds, and gives it a top speed of 335 km/h.

In the GTC4Lusso you will get the F140 ED version of the 6.3-litre V12. Power has been increased to 507 kW at 8 000 RPM and torque is bumped to 697 Nm at 5750 RPM. This means that the acceleration figures improve slightly with the GTC4Lusso doing the standing sprint to 100 km/h in only 3.4-seconds and the top speed limited to 335 km/h.

 

As a result, the GTC4Lusso is marginally heavier on fuel as well with a claimed combined-cycle figure of 15.8 l/100km as opposed to the 15.4 l/100km claim of the Ferrari FF.

Furthermore, the GTC4Lusso was also made available with a V8 option in the GTC4Lusso T. This model uses the 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 F154 engine and makes 449 kW and 760 Nm to yield a sprint time of 3.5-seconds.

 

2. Drivetrain

Both the FF and the GTC4Lusso employ a similar 4WD system to ensure that the GT car has the best grip possible, no matter the conditions. The system used is fairly intricate but manages to maintain a near-ideal weight distribution of 47/53. It is able to send as much as 20% of the power to the front wheels but only in the first 4 gears. Gears 5 through 7 see the FF and GTC4Lusso powering the rear wheels only.

The 4WD system, named 4RM, was tweaked for the GTC4Lusso and integrated rear-wheel steering to aid in low-speed manoeuvrability. This system is known as the 4RM-S and also sees the introduction of an electronic diff.

 

3. Tech

The interior of the GTC4Lusso is only mildly updated over the trim found in the FF with the design remaining very similar. What occupants will notice is the improvement of the infotainment system and passenger display readouts. Passengers are now privy to additional information previously not accessible in the FF model.

Drivers also benefit from a larger infotainment screen. Where the FF sported a 6.5-inch unit, the GTC4Lusso moves with the times and gets a considerably larger 10.25-inch, high definition capacitive touchscreen. Apple CarPlay is still in use for seamless smartphone tethering while on the go.

Fun Fact: The Ferrari FF was the first production car to offer Apple CarPlay to customers.