This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on March 7, 2016.

Last week in Geneva, Ferrari showed off the latest of its wares, the world debut Ferrari GTC4 Lusso.

“The GTC 4 Lusso is a completely new car,” said Enrico Galliera, Ferrari senior vice-president of commercial and marketing. He spoke during a 10-minute press conference that should have been 15 minutes but that had started 30 minutes late. He was trying to make up for time. “Ninety per cent of the elements of the car are new.”

It’s a subtle difference to say the least, surprising if you can detect any at all with the naked eye. The GTC4 Lusso has a slightly lower and sportier stance than the FF, with increased aerodynamics and sharper edges along its shooting-brake body. The rest of the apparent new things must have been inside — and under the hood.

In fact, the new car uses a Ferrari V12, 6262cc naturally aspirated engine to achieve a whopping 690 horsepower (hp) (40hp more than the FF). It can hit 60mph (96.6kph) in 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 208mph, which like its sprint time is faster than its predecessor. So that’s new.

Also fresh is the steering wheel, 10.25inch (26cm) high-definition infotainment screen inside, and — most importantly — the “rear-steering” system, which still uses the Ferrari 4WD, but can drive the rear wheels independently.

Galliera said the adjustment would give increased responsiveness and optimal control in the GTC 4 Lusso over the FF. He also said the upgrade comes as a way to reach still younger buyers who want more practicality in their cars without sacrificing aggressive, tactile experience.

Indeed, the upgrade comes as a continuation of Ferrari’s answer to the new luxury sport utility vehicles (SUVs) from Bentley, Jaguar, Maserati and Lamborghini. (The answer to whether it will ever build a true SUV seems to remain set at “No.”)

The GTC 4 Lusso is unique in the market now, but it does have some precedent, including prior Ferrari four-seaters from the 1964 Ferrari 500 Superfast to the 1998 Ferrari 456 MG T. Those cars became icons in short time, helping establish the foundation of Ferrari lore and acting as apt references to the 330 GTC and its 2+2 sister model, the 330 GT, both of which were said to be company founder Enzo Ferrari’s favourites, and the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, from whence this one earns its name. 

And so here we are with a new Lusso. Surrounded by such a host of legends, this new GTC 4 Lusso falls beautifully in sync with the Ferrari family. Even if it does just look like a newer FF. — Bloomberg