demo GTC4Lusso T or 2012 FF

FF/GTC4 is a GT that is designed for high speed and long-distance driving. If that is the type of driving you do most of the time, IMO V12 fits it better than anyting else. For lots of city driving, the T will likely be more suitable with its higher low end torque and slightly lighter weight. For me, it is unquestionable the V12 because I spend most of the time at highway speed, and around a thousand miles per trip.

 

On Thursday last, my wifes cousin and I spent an entire day testing the F12, 812 and Lusso V12 in that order. Spent between 1½ to 2 hours with each car. Note that the cousin here is an FF owner, so that is a very familiar car to both of us.
If you want to replace the Panamera with a Ferrari that needs to tick the same boxes, the Lusso is a good choice. However, as for a sports GT, it left us both feel rather cold. We are both huge fans of the FF, as it's a great blend of soprty performance as well as a nice GT, but I found the Lusso to have gone too soft for my liking. Yes it was a V12 and it sounds spectacular, but cruising down the freeway, I found myself thinking that I might as well could have been in a Panamera or the like. Seeing that you have an 812 coming, I'd say that the Lusso is not a bad deal, unless you want the same type of sporty feeling. The neat thing about an 812 vs a Lusso is the fact that they do things so differently - but that's also a bit of a downfall if you like the sportier "Ferrari" feel. The Lusso interior is a nice improvement for sure. Both the FF mentioned here, as well as the Lusso we drove that day, had Analine leather. But I think the Lusso has better seats, and a more updated feel to the interior - a bit like the 812 over the F12 in this regard.
Our biggest surprise was when we started to push the Lusso. Then it kind of all fell apart. Too soft, too much roll and bounce. So all in all, I'm a big fan of the Lusso interior and especially the way they have decreased wind noise, but as for pure driving pleasure and fun, the FF is the better car for me.
Another concern is whether or not you will find the FF interior a bit dated when you get your 812. The 812 interior is simply a stunning place to be, and to me, like the rest of the car, it seems like a vast step up in design and "feel".
None of us have driven a Lusso T as of yet, but during our Lusso V12 drive, we actually debated if the better FF replacement would be a Lusso T with a Novitec engine tune and Novitec suspension. It's lighter and I don't really feel like the 4wd is that important.
At the end of the day, only you can make the decision. To me, the Lusso is kind of a hard sale as it does not feel quite as special as the FF, F12 and 812. But if one already has an 812, the Lusso might be a viable option as a softer four seater. If I were to only choose between having a Lusso and an FF, the FF is probably what I'd choose.
To beat the 812 is hard - and as far as the FF, F12 and Lusso go, don't even try. It's a car that really have left me wanting more. It's been a while since a car gave me a sensation of just wanting to keep on going, and just push. Just such a complete package. Handing the keys over to that one, was not easy

Will your dealer not let you drive both the FF and Lusso T? Talk to them and see if that's possible. Spend an hour or two in each car, that will really make it easier to get a sense for the cars in question.

The Lusso has set itself apart by quite a margin compared to the FF, F12 and 812, so it's really hard to compare them as they offer so different experiences. You need to drive them to find out what works for you.

 

Similar to my experience. I spent time in the Lusso, f12 and FF and went for the FF as the more engaging to drive. I liked the f12 however with small kids, it was always an outside bet. The tech is nice in the lusso but the depreciation has already happened for the FF so that’s also a factor. I’m lucky to have perhaps the highest spec car delivered in the Uk so that also helps!

As did the Novitec exhaust....

 

Mike,

My reading of the paragraph you’ve highlighted is that it came from a British review. The ‘high street speeds’ refer to the UK ‘high street’ shopping venue, not a fast street speed.

My suspicion is borne out by the reference to the 2nd to 1st auto shift. I don’t usually suffer a problem with it but I did notice it as I drew up to a halt on an uphill section of road leading on to a highway the other day.

Given that Bangkok is largely flat (like the Netherlands) you are unlikely to experience this often. The shift is clunky as the engine management system gooses the throttle at a crawling speed and drops you abruptly into first gear.

The shift only feels clunky relative to the smoothness of the rest of the DCT box. Relative to the F1 boxes of yore (in the 612) it feels about the same.

 

The gearbox and its software on the more modern Lusso have of course evolved and dealt with this. Mine is exemplary around town (and on fast roads too). I suggest you test drive the Lusso both in and out of town, especially somewhere you can appreciate its agility and delicacy of touch.

 

My FF has a switch that lets you quite the sound for the neighborhood

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my FF has no issues in daily driving environments.
you can either add a switch (much cheaper way) which allows normal valve open close operation or add a novitec ECU (much more $ way) and tailor the manettino setting - on mine i have comfort set to oem and sport is open all the time.

 

Mike, can we ask if you have had a chance to drive these cars yet?

 

Thanks for the update Mike,
Nice decision to have to make.
A good weekend to you

 

noticed that FF's that have been for sale are becoming sparse as the weather warms up

 

I bought the car used and it came with it

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Hi Mike, congrats buddy! I am soon to post a wonderful delivery experience of picking up both the LussoT and 812 SF at the same time, was nuts how the timing worked! I am living in a bit of a dream right now with both those cars, very happy. I do love the T very much, its such a great get up and go car. It also has a bunch of the great new ADAS features and those are just super cool. Its very smooth and sporty at the same time, with all the creature comforts of a modern day sedan. It goes from soft to crazy with very cool pops and girggles in the exhaust. I spec'd it to be a keeper, its very loaded, and I am glad I did hope to have it around for a very long time. Your wheel upgrades sound amazing, very aggressive and slick! Enjoy man.
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