If last week’s retro-Bimmer didn’t quite do it for you, now Ferrari has brought its barely-four-seater to Australian shores for the first time.

 

 

Shut up and take my money

The GTC4Lusso – heir-apparent to the Ferrari FF – looks even more muscular than its predecessor thanks to shark gill vents and more angular folds through its sides.

The V12 returns and acceleration is 0-100 in 3.4 seconds. The Tesla Model S will do the same in 3.0 seconds for less than half the price but, let’s face it, doesn’t deserve its own Soundcloud.

 

 

The GTC4Luso will set you back a lazy $600,000. According to Ferrari Australasia’s Chief Executive, Herbert Appleroth, almost fifty buyers have placed a deposit for the latest iteration from Modena.

Styled as a shooting brake - think more sports coupe than estate/station wagon – there’s just enough room in the back for a couple of your skinniest/smallest mates.

 

 

Huh? What’s a ‘Shooting Brake’?

The term ‘Shooting Brake’ is one of the oldest in automotive history, and traditionally described a vehicle designed to carry a hunting party and its equipment. Like many terms used to describe cars, this is rooted in equestrian terminology.

 

 

A ‘brake’ was a chassis used to ‘break’ in horses – which carried over nicely to describe a car (as did the word ‘chassis’). Over 100 years it has distilled down to simply refer to a single pedal (which also acts as a form of restraint from all that horsepower).

These days, a Shooting Brake is effectively a two-door sportswagon (not that Ferrari would ever describe it that way).

 

 

When will we see it?

The first deliveries are expected by February, with the rest of the orders to be received throughout 2017. If you’re not already in the queue, the second-hand market might be the best option to get your hands on one of these beauties.

 

The 2012 FF Ferrari

 

Otherwise head on over to Carsales. A cheap(er) alternative might be the 2012 FF Ferrari listed for $399,000.

[Ferrari]