GTC4Lusso Official Picture Thread.

I don't remember it that way (and I was at the Geneva press day for both FF and GTC). The FF divided opinion, and nobody hailed it as masterful. Those commentators who liked it were self-confessed shooting brake fans and loved the idea of Ferrari doing one, while simultaneously acknowledging that it would be challenging to many. Those who didn't just called it a bit ugly and some, a LOT ugly.

No one should make the mistake of comparing a photo of the GTC to the appearance of their real-life FF. As usual, photos do not do the car justice.

Now, that said, the FF is a beautiful design and has grown to be more universally appreciated. It is now understood and the shock of it has certainly worn off. It's like the first time you hear an odd name. After a while it ceases to be strange and the person/car/whatever just becomes synonymous with that word. There are odd angles, and Pininfarina are not the 'perfection' being suggested in my view. If you can say that they are the out-of-house 'professionals' with history and experience, you can also adopt the view that makes them an organisation who only need to 'sell' to Ferrari design department, are limited by the weight of their history and struggle to do 'fresh'. For instance, do you remember the story of the 458? It was Luca who looked at their first designs for that car and got them to return to the drawing board because he wanted the vents, which were apparently a development of the 430 style-wise, to be much more integrated. Therefore, the sleek side view of the 458 must owe much to the guy setting the brief and buying off the design - Luca himself it seems.

In my world, the principle is a bit like employing an advertising agency (and I have used many of those). They are good, sometimes even great, but their job is always to get YOU to buy what they sell. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure that what they sell you converts into sales. As such, they are the professionals but you have to back your own in-house judgement first and foremost. The in-house guys with the most pressure on find an extra level and are more in tune with what their customers want/need.

I think we see that with Ferrari. I suspect the decision to develop an in-house design team was taken some years ago, under Luca's time, and his own experiences, such as the 458 example, are probably why. And I think they have done a good job, in fact a great one. Not perfect, but I love the look they are producing.

We should remember that some of the most iconic Ferrari designs are not Pininfarina either, such as the 250 GTO, hailed by many as the most beautiful Ferrari ever (personally I disagree with that, the 250 California for me, although the GTO is beyond beautiful - the black one in the Maranello museum is exquisite).

The 250 range is interesting - it had 5 separate designers for the various models. The original (actually billed 225) was not from Pininfarina but Vignale. Pininfarina did the 250 GT convertible, Scaglietti then turned that into the California - much nicer than the convertible and in fact a simply sublime version of the 250. Scaglietti was not actually a designer at all. He was the coachbuilder, making the panels. This sort of emphasises my point that sometimes the 'professionals' are the ones with the most experience, but not the ones who are thinking 'out of the box', their results are more polished and predictable because they emanate from what they have always done. Their experience actually becomes a restriction to them.

I think the GTC has answered many of the criticisms of the FF. Do I think it is a clear win for the GTC? I did when I last saw it in the flesh, at Geneva, I was certain. A few months later and have used my FF a lot the memory of the GTC has dimmed and my appreciation of the FF has had plenty of opportunity to keep growing. I love the FF design, it is unique and quite beautiful. I suspect when my GTC arrives though, an equally as strong, if not stronger bond will develop.

 

Interesting and much appreciated.

 

And introduced a number of new ones. Give them 5 years each and let's decide then

 

Rarely is that the case. Usually those who get to 'sign off' a design stick their fingers in the pie for one reason alone: they just can't help themselves. There's no telling how many world class designs have never seen the light of day because someone without a clue killed it stone dead with nothing more substantial than "Nah... don't like it." There's a great quote from a very successful English businessman, John Caudwell: "Most businesses are successful despite their management, not because of it."

 

Yes, I think that's fair comment. As I look at some photographs, it raises questions in my mind. I like the front but is it too 'square'? I didn't think so in Geneva so although it can look that way in most photographs I'm still trusting my own prior judgement and what I remember from seeing it in the flesh. Also a point you have made before about the shield looking oddly placed. Again, from photos I can see why you think that, but I don't recall it looking at all odd in the flesh. Hard to tell without going back and looking at a real car again. There's also the spoiler on the rear, which has the effect of elongating the roof line and emphasising the 'wagon' element of the design. I was concerned about that before I saw the real car in March, again, remember thinking "no, it's fine, in fact I love the whole rear end".

Since Geneva, I have driven my FF quite a lot and when you glance back after parking somewhere, appreciating the car in different settings has reminded me what an elegant car it really is.

There are no losers here but I think the GTC will be at least as well regarded as the FF over the long term. Neither will be a classic with the status of the original Lusso though, just in case we get ahead of ourselves...

 

It is not black, Brandon Wang's #4219 GT is dark blue.

Marcel Massini

 

Deleted post. Wrong section.

 

Agility, control, stability and improved traction. Porsche has been wowing people with similar technology now for quite a while. Ferrari put this system in the F12TdF and I suspect we'll see it in more of their cars over time.

I'm sorry but that's a giant bunch of baloney. If they brought out an FF replacement with styling you liked but not one iota more of performance or handling I don't believe for a moment you wouldn't be disappointed. More importantly you probably wouldn't buy it and neither would anyone else. I don't see a lot of people asking Ferrari to make slower cars.

It sure as hell is in my top priorities along with a whole bunch of other FF owners. I have a 2012 FF but I've played with the 2015 version and, although it was only slightly less crap, a very small percentage of FFs even have it. The new system looks to be a massive improvement in performance and functionality and styling. Thank you Ferrari!

So the Lusso take the FF and improves performance, handling and gadgetry. Hmmm.... sounds like a winner to me. I happen to like the new styling too. That's not to say I don't like my FF because I LOVE my FF. But I think I'll love the GTC4 Lusso even more.

Just like on your FF, this passenger display is an OPTION but unlike the one on my FF this one does more than just tell you passengers how quickly you're driving. This one actually lets the person in the passenger seat do stuff like change songs, check the nav, and more. Plus this one is a beautiful high resolution display compared to the horribly low resolution junk the FF had. I like it and I'm ordering it in my GTC4 Lusso.

 

Now this is a good looking rear end -IMO
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I don't remember it that way either. In fact I recall driving my FF to the office the first day and my business partner laughed at me. He said "I see they made you buy the ugly Ferrari so you could get the one you really wanted". He had owned several Ferraris by this time so he knew the game. He was referring to 458 Spider as part of the deal of buying the dealers' fully-loaded FF demo (over $370K MSRP!) was that they'd move up my 458 order to their next available allocation. That got me my 458 Spider 6-12 months earlier than I otherwise would have received it. But in the end it turned out the FF was the one I really like the most. I sold the 458 Spider (McLaren 650S Spider stole most of the driving time from the 458) after 2.5 years and I'll still have the FF when the 4 year anniversary roles around.

Next Friday I'm visiting the factory to look at the various options for my GTC4 Lusso order. I'm (assuming I decide everything next week) getting my dealers' first one. After owning the FF for a week I told the dealer "whenever they make the replacement for this car just sign me up for the first one you have" - I fell in love with my FF because of how it drives. I liked the styling too but the morale of this story is most people did NOT appreciate it when it launched.

I completely agree with you. I think the GTC4 Lusso is an improvement on the FF in the styling department. I've yet to see one in person but I'm a fan of the styling changes.

I agree with you. I think the idea that Ferrari design = bad/marketing sellout and Pininfarina design = good/purity of design ignores the fact that Ferrari executives had final say regardless of who designs the car and to suggest executives don't tinker with the designs, or even downright reject some of them, is completely naive.

I suspect I'll be in the same boat. But more importantly I'm very excited about the technological, performance and handling improvements. The new four wheel steering system, and the way the car can better manage torque to the front wheels now, sounds pretty exciting. The shorter turning radius will alway be welcome. More horsepower and more (and lower down) torque - yes please!

There's a lot of worn out technology inside the FF too. Nobody can say they love the crappy infotainment system. It's a total eyesore. Whereas the new one has graphics that at least live up to the design of the car. Likewise the horribly noisy AC system has been addressed. They claim it's faster to heat/cool the car and significantly quieter in operation. That silly passenger infotainment display now actually has some purposeful functionality instead of just telling your wife how fast you're driving It doesn't have all the cool gadgets of the latest Mercedes, BMW or Tesla but at least the infotainment screen doesn't look like an IBM PC from 1988 anymore.

I can't wait to see it in person next week in Maranello.

 

Any idea what color that is? Are those the base painted wheels or the chrome version? It's hard to sense whether they're the shinier chrome version of if the trade show lights are just brightening up the painted wheels.

My FF is Argento Nurburgring (see below) and has the base painted wheels and I tinkered with the idea of changing them out for the fancier diamond cuts but as the years went by I came to feeling the chunkier, brighter, wheels suited the car better than the diamond cuts. I find the darkness of the diamond cuts (the spokes are thinner than the base wheel but then diamond cutting makes them look even thinner (by blacking out more of it) and I'm leaning toward the base "chunky" painted wheels for the GTC4 Lusso.
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I'll respectfully refrain from posting all the Lexus etc. pics that I've snapped at the grocery. Happy that you are so happy !

The Lusso looks like a station wagon in the rear end. Remove the prancing horse, and it's not a unique car, it's the king of the mountain of grocery wagons. Then again, if a more macho and traditionally designed wagon that combines a generic overhang and 4 lights from a classic (that crowds the opening) was the aim ... mission accomplished. Way to play it safe FDS.

Is newer always better? ... was the F40 was bettered by the F50 or the 458 bettered by the 488?

 

It is the Nuovo Grigio Ferro, and it is the colour I will choose. It is b-e-a-utiful as Bruce would say. I think the best wheel option for that is the upgraded forged, non diamond cut wheel, exactly as the show car - really really good. The standard wheel does not sit properly IMV.

 

Both cars are clearly shooting brakes so, not sure where your 'wagon' thing comes from. In fact the FF dimensions are more 'wagon like' than the GTC, which has a more angled rear screen. Automotive pictures always tend to flatten out the sides, and the same with the GTC. In real life its sides are wide and low, giving a very squat appearance, nothing like a station wagon from Lexus. Without the badge, I would pick it out as a Ferrari, ooh, about 100 times out of 100. You don't need the badge to tell exactly what brand of car it is.

In many ways the F50 did better the F40. The F40 was Enzo's last car and, like a CS, the first of its type. (OK, I know the 288 GTO was first but somehow that didn't seem quite so track-oriented or bespoke as the F40). As such it will always have its place. EVO did a comparison of all four hypers; 288, F40, F50 and Enzo. F50 took it. Doesn't mean it is better in everyone's eyes but it is currently more valuable and at least one magazine rates it very highly.

I am due to borrow a 488 Spider this weekend, so I'll know more then, but I have friends who have driven/own 488 and prefer the way they drive to the 458. The progress is clear. I have full respect for those who prefer n/a, as do I and it is the reason I will keep my Speciale. But I think as an overall driving tool, the 488 will be far ahead of a 458. N/a is very important to me but only one element. I loved my 12C when I owned that and I chose it over a 458.

It is nearly impossible for a company like Ferrari in the modern era to make a car that drives worse than its predecessor. If you love driving, it will be ahead without any doubt in my mind. Whether that is enough to justify a change and whether it overcomes your preference for the predecessor's appearance is up to you. Easy decision for me though.

 

Lusso in Marbella, Spain with V12 sound!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qxi-Xdzb3g

 

Lovely. The 360 in the intro was very welcome too!

 

I believe it's the new color Grigio Ferro Met.Congrats on getting first allocation on Lusso
Here's a better pic the wheels plus a pic of a white Lusso with diamond cut.IMO it depends on
what body color you choose before opting for either wheel.The whole prospect of going to
the Atelier must be very exciting though
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I have Ol' BLT set to ignore but the quotes still show up. Big obvious +1.

 

http://www.2gb.com/sites/default/files/field/image/20160602/img_0835.jpg

http://www.2gb.com/sites/default/files/field/image/20160602/img_0830.jpg

http://www.2gb.com/sites/default/files/img_0843.jpg

http://www.2gb.com/sites/default/files/img_0833.jpg

fresh hd pictures from launch event in Australia

and an older one from china

https://www.instagram.com/p/BGb-BVvgHU1/?taken-by=mikeknightlee

 

This is probably Nuovo Ferro outdoors. Interesting difference with old Ferro, and with the indoors pic we've seen.

 

What color is that? Looks like grigio silverstone.

 

It's Nuovo Ferro Met

 

Looks amazing! Its not on the configurator though. Is it a special color?

Im really starting to like this car more and more. Dunno if i would trade my F12 for one...but its looking better to me every time i look at it.

 

Guys, was running around the atelier with those bloody rims speccing my car in Maranello yesterday and consensus between me and locals was the following.

Ferro grigio car is on chrome painted wheels (obviously it means just glossy silver, not sure why they call it chrome) and white car is on grigio corsa matt wheels which suddenly looks like glossy machined metal under bright lights.

Diamond cut wheels look in the same way as the ones on the FF i.e. they are properly bicolour with shiny metal frontal surface and gloss grey everything else. According to Ferrari guys there were no such wheels on any Lusso in Geneva. Hope it helps.

 

It is a special color on an amazing car