Ferrari GTC4 Lusso previewed in Sydney

History has proven in the past that making a four-seater, four-wheel drive Ferrari is possible, but making it look attractive is not; witness the Ferrari FF. 

Fortunately, just five years on from the ill-faced FF comes a new Ferrari family car, the GTC4 Lusso, which was unveiled in the southern hemisphere for the first time today at the $65 million Vaucluse home of a generous Ferrari owner. 

While it might not have the proportions, or the drop-dead beauty, of other cars in this fiercely Italian family, it certainly has proper Ferrari performance from its 6.2-litre V12 engine, which makes an almost alarming 507kW and 697Nm of torque. 

All that mumbo can hurl the 1920kg shooting brake to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds, or from a standing start to 200km/h in just 10.5, on the way to a top speed of 335km/h.

This is really a Formula One car, in the shape of a GT car

Coming up with a design that would make light of the bulk of a car like the Lusso is the job of Flavio Manzoni, senior vice president of design for Ferrari, and his team.

Manzoni, who grew up fascinated with the architectural majesty of the Sydney Opera House, made his first trip ever to Australia this week to present the new car, and explain the many "design tricks" he and his fellow pencil wielders used to make it look as surprisingly good as it does.

"It was an interesting task to combine roominess inside for four occupants and a sporty feeling on the body… this is really a Formula One car, in the shape of a GT car; you can drive it on the highway in comfort but as soon as you push the accelerator, it becomes a monster," Manzoni explains.

"We've given it  a strong stance, with sculpted sides, very strong power on the front fenders and the body side, an athletic feeling to the body overall, not the extruded volume of the FF, this is something very new and very light.

"The problem with a car like this is how to lower the height. So we lowered the rear spoiler and we decided to create a very small rear window, it's about tricking your eye to make it feel smaller than it is."

The passenger effectively gets their own dashboard, complete with touch screen and speed and revs readouts

Ferrari has done this very neatly, particularly at the rear, which is classic Ferrari - with touch of 355 and 456 - from straight on. From the rear three-quarter it can still look like some kind of uber station wagon, but from most angles it does look "athletic", with its small cabin and long, long nose creating the desired "sling-shot effect". 

While it's not an exterior design that will appeal to all Ferrari purists (although it will please many), there can be no argument over the interior, which is superb, unless your partner is a nag. Or a speed Nazi.

Perhaps the most noticeable feature is that the passenger effectively gets their own dashboard, complete with touch screen and speed and revs readouts.  "It's about involving the passenger, so they become more of a co-pilot," Manzoni says.

This is fine, as long as your co-pilot isn't the type to harp on about your driving.

The interior manages to feel both luxe and modern, with a massive, 10-inch iPad style screening the centre, and Manzoni says his goal was for it to be "not bourgeoise". Job done. We think.

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The enormous glass roof adds to a feeling of spaciousness, front and rear, but the two back pews are on the cosy side of comfortable, with leg room that's perhaps just on the premium economy side rather than plain cattle class. Certainly children would be comfortable enough in the back for long journeys, adults less so.

Whoever does pile in will be comfortable tackling the drive to the snowfields this car was clearly designed for, though, thanks to its new 4RM-S system, which offers both four-wheel drive and integrated four-wheel steering. Check out the video above to see the Lusso sliding powerfully through snow, which certainly looks like fun.

We can't wait to try it, but as for how much it would cost you to do so, take a deep breath; the Lusso starts at $578,888. Ferrari is happy to take your orders and could deliver you one as soon as next year. Depending on demand.

What do you think of Ferrari's new family car? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.