Ferrari 488 GTB - official
Twin-turbo 670hp V8 confirmed for Ferrari's 458 Italia replacement - full details
Side vents apparently inspired by 308
If that outright performance gain isn't enough for you consider also that the 488 GTB has active aero, a blown rear wing and combines 50 per cent more downforce and reduced drag. Putting that power to the road is a gearbox we'll presume is based on the familiar dual-clutch seven-speed unit (Ferrari doesn't say) featuring Variable Torque Management which "unleashes the massive torque smoothly and powerfully right across the rev range" as per the turbocharged California T.
The 488 also features an "evolved" version of the Speciale's supernatural Side Slip Angle Control - Ferrari's face saving technology that allows even the ham-fisted look like driving gods thanks to its management of the F1-Trac stability control and E-Diff. SSC2 now works with the active dampers too, Ferrari tactfully saying it gives "track-level performance that can be enjoyed to the full even by non-professional drivers in everyday use."
V8 now with turbos and much more power
Moving swiftly on, consider also that even with all this additional tech the 1,370kg 488 GTB weighs 10kg less than a standard 458 Italia, albeit with the caveat that Ferrari's quoted weights are always recorded dry and as the small print reveals "with lightweight options" fitted. The initial press release doesn't mention construction materials but Ferrari has previously stated its intention to stick with aluminium spaceframes for all but LaFerrari-grade specials. At this point you'll be looking for the inevitable comparison with the all-carbon McLaren 650S, the coupe version of that car starting at 1,330kg dry.
Blown rear wing and 50 per cent more downforce
This, of course, leaves the 5.2-litre V10 Huracan as the last bastion of big capacity naturally aspirated power in this class. A rebellious USP that plays well to Lamborghini tradition if not sales potential in those markets with punitive taxes on big engines.
With this, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Aston's track-ready Vantage GT3, a much-updated Lotus Evora and (no doubt) more besides Geneva is shaping up to be a vintage show for lovers of fast and exotic motors. Don't forget McLaren's offering too, the new 675 LT featuring a provocative 5hp of additional bragging rights over the new Ferrari in a high rollers' game of Top Trumps we can all enjoy.
FERRARI 488 GTB
Engine: 3,902cc V8, twin-turbo
Transmission: TBC
Power (hp): 670@8,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 560@3,000rpm
0-62mph: 3.0sec
Top speed: 209mph
Weight: 1,370kg (Dry, with "lightweight options")
MPG: 24.8mpg (NEDC combined)
CO2: 260g/km
Price: TBC
. Weren't there rumours the 458 replacement was going to be a turbo V6?Every time Ferrari release a car it beats the previous one around Fiorano. Where will it end?!
How far down the rankings is the Enzo now? I seem to remember people thinking it was probably at the limit of how fast the track could be driven.
How times/tech change.
Are all the speciale's sold now? Id be a tad dissapointed if I had ordered and hadnt even recieved it yet before this was announced!
A 360 will cost you what? Upwards of £50k nowadays? A 360 CS is nearly £200k. A 430, is around £80-100 and its technically the better car. The limited run, 'balls to the wall' run out models will always keep their value over the next generations standard car due to desirability and rarity.
And I know everything has to be turbo charged at the moment, but why? I understand the emissions gains on cars that sell in there thousands, but how many of these are they actually going to make? And then how miles are they actually going to be driven, rather than locked up under covers? And hence what's the total carbon output of Ferrari's... its tiny! Hence why bother ruining them with turbo's. It'll make no difference to the planet at all.
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