A true cross-continent Ferrari doesn’t need four-wheel-drive and a prodigious great V12 engine, apparently. Or that’s what customers of the legendary Italian sports car manufacturer have been saying in focus groups and the like, which has led to this: the Ferrari GTC4Lusso T.

Much the same as the regular GTC4Lusso (even if Ferrari insists it’s an entirely different model), the T features a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 610 horsepower and a 0-62mph time of 3.5 seconds.

Don’t fear, Ferrari fans. This isn’t replacing the regular GTC4Lusso. Yes, it’s another stage of the downsizing trend, but it’s simply an alternative option rather than a true victory for the environmentalists. It’s also marks the first Ferrari variant ever to be sold with a choice of engines.

First impressions

For a start, the Ferrari GTC4Lusso T looks fantastic. You’ll have to be a paid-up red anorak wearer (not unheard of in Ferrari circles) to spot the difference between the T and the regular GTC4Lusso. Spy the unique exhaust tips and bespoke 20-inch alloys… and other than that, it’s pretty much business as usual.

Not that that’s a bad thing. We’re huge fans of the regular shooting brake’s appearance, so it’s unsurprising that we think the T looks drop-dead gorgeous. Its quad circle rear lights, wagon-esque stance and aggressive front headlights combine to make a car that never fails to turn heads.

Inside, you’ll find four seats and a typically Ferrari cabin. By that we mean unusual switchgear,...