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The prancing horse got its start in Italy when 41-year-old Enzo Ferrari founded the luxury sports car company in 1939. Today the iconic prancing horse logo is revered around the world. While the luxury sports car has always been known for power and performance, more recent Ferraris have begun to encompass practicality as well.
Two Ferraris that blend the elements of performance, power, and practicality are the Ferrari GTC4Lusso and Ferrari Purosangue. Ferrari started manufacturing the GTC4Lusso in 2016. This Ferrari is known for its AWD drivetrain and shootingbrake design. The Ferrari GTC4Lusso was truly the first practical prancing horse. Despite its innovative nature, Ferrari unannounced that they were ending production of the GTC4Lusso in August 2020.
In 2017, Ferrari began the development of a potential Ferrari SUV. A year later, leaked photos of the prototype vehicle, based on the Ferrari GTC4Lusso, began circulating on the internet. In September 2022, Ferrari officially introduced their first SUV-like vehicle, marketed as the Ferrari Purosangue. Read on to learn more about these two practical prancing horses and why we'd still prefer being behind the wheel of a Ferrari GTC4Lusso over the newer Purosangue.
What Features Make The GTC4Lusso Such A Special Ferrari?
From design to power & performance to interior, the GTC4Lusso is a Ferrari that has it all. While the GTC4Lusso is definitely a supercar, what makes this Ferrari so special is the practicality that it provides. The GTC4Lusso is an all-wheel drive hatchback that is meant to handle all types of road conditions. However, its practicality does not take away from its power or true Ferrari nature, as there is no arguing that the GTC4Lusso is without a doubt a true luxury sports cars.
Diving into the specs, we see that the Ferrari GTC4Lusso is equipped with a naturally aspirated 6.3-liter V12 engine. This powerplant produces a whopping 680 hp at 8,000 rpm, 514 lb-ft of torque at 5,750 rpm. This means the GTC4Lusso can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 208 mph. It's clear that this Ferrari isn't short on speed or performance. However, it should also be noted that this Ferrari isn't lacking when it comes to space, especially for what is essentially a supercar. The GTC4Lusso offers an impressive 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space and with the rear seats folded down, it increases to 28.2 cubic feet.
How Does The Ferrari Purosangue Stack Up Compared To The Ferrari GTC4Lusso?
The Ferrari Purosangue is just as unique as the GTC4Lusso, as it is the first SUV ever produced by Ferrari. However, Ferrari refuses to market the Purosangue as an SUV. Instead, opting for the term Ferrari Utility Vehicle (FUV). Of course, this is purely semantics. The Purosangue is certainly an SUV, but it's also a supercar that comes fully equipped with the power and performance that Ferraris are known for.
When it comes to specs, the Purosangue does not disappoint. This Ferrari is all-wheel drive and can handle whatever the road brings. In addition, the Purosangue comes equipped with a naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12 engine. The unit also produces 715 hp and 528 lb-ft of torque, which sends its power to all four wheels through an 8-speed F1 DCT gearbox. It is also the first Ferrari to offer legitimate room for four passengers as a four-door vehicle. Of course, the Purosangue still maintains the classic two-door appearance with slick rear-hinged suicide doors.
Here’s Why We’d Rather Have The Ferrari GTC4Lusso Over The Ferrari Purosangue
While Ferrari retired production of the GTC4Lusso in 2020 to make way for the Purosangue, we'd still rather have the GTC4Lusso. Rightly so, gearheads were disappointed to learn that the production of the Ferrari GTC4Lusso was going to be discontinued, as it was one of the most unique Ferraris ever made. The all-wheel drive shootingbrake combined the best of both worlds, practicality and performance.
While the Purosangue is unique in the fact that it is the first SUV-type vehicle produced by Ferrari, it simply doesn't offer the same levels of speed and performance that the GTC4Lusso does. Where the GTC4Lusso can reach a top speed of 208 mph, the Purosangue tops out at 193 mph.
Of course, price plays into the preference toward the GTC4Lusso too. The starting price of the 2020 Ferrari GTC4Lusso was around $300,000, while the 2023 Ferrari Purosangue MSRP is $400,000. So, while getting behind the wheel of either one of these luxury sports cars would be a dream, cruising down the road in a Ferrari GTC4Lusso would be just a little bit faster and more affordable, not to mention that it actually looks better.