Ferrari decided to ditch wailing V12 with the entry-level version of their oddball wagon. Now, the all-purpose cruiser sports the 488 GTB’s turbocharged V8, which with lag-beating technology, 602 horsepower, and 561 lb/ft of torque, will continue to bring lots of younger buyers to purchase one of the odder creations made by the Scuderia.

A Sizzling Powerplant and Better Weight Distribution

To extract a little more character to the robust, responsive, and occasionally derided V8, Ferrari’s modified it to have a little more sizzle. This includes new con rods, a new intake and a larger exhaust with equal-length headers for more mid-range and a wilder soundtrack.

This also improves fuel economy over the V12-powered Lusso, and reduces weight. Thanks to the omitted front driveshafts and complicated gearbox that defined the FF, the Lusso T’s heft is further cut by 160 pounds. Crucially, this weight reduction has happened in the right places—the front-to-rear ratio now sits at 46:54, which reduces the amount of understeer, and makes for a much more neutral car at the limit.

Even without 4WD, the rear-heavy Lusso T shows impressive traction over loose surfaces.

Even with a more incisive handling balance, the magnetic dampers provide the comfort needed for long distance cruising. The GTC4 Lusso T is still a plush cruiser with the ability to cover long distances without tiring its drivers, and all the opulence people associate with a $260,000 Ferrari is all there. The differences between the Lusso T and its V12-powered sibling are all dynamic.

Perhaps the backroad shots, spliced with scenes of the Iceman playing hockey, are supposed to convey that message. Seems a little forced, though.