RE: Ferrari 488GTB: Driven

RE: Ferrari 488GTB: Driven

Friday 5th June 2015

Ferrari 488GTB: Driven

Embargo is off, story is live - PH review of the new Ferrari 488 GTB right here!



3,304 words; of the many impressive numbers relating to the new Ferrari 488 GTB this is the total frantically speed-typed into my laptop during the technical briefing the PR boss jokes is a precondition for being able to drive the car. This with significant periods staring, baffled, at graphs while wishing I'd listened more at school. Rather than doodling pictures of Ferraris.

'85 per cent' new compared with 458 apparently
'85 per cent' new compared with 458 apparently
And here's the thing. The 488 GTB is a car of astonishing technical complexity, the product of some incredibly impressive number crunching by some very clever people. Aimed directly at your inner child. The one that spent double maths daydreaming about driving bright red sports cars that make loads of noise and go really fast.

A diligent journalist would attempt to make sense of technical information he doesn't necessarily understand and pick out some statistics he thinks sound impressive for an audience probably not that interested anyway. Because, really, all we want to know is just how fast the 488 GTB? And does it make as good a noise as the 458 Italia? Before we get to that let's try for some stat-enhanced context though.

Fear of progress
Recent experience of the 288 GTO (you knew it was coming!) helps. 30-odd years ago nobody seemed threatened by the idea of two turbos and a downsized V8, the sheer outrageousness of the GTO's performance and the F40 it spawned the stuff of legend. Yet now forced induction is seen as a threat.

One graph worth looking at; check the torque 'curve'
One graph worth looking at; check the torque 'curve'
Then there are the unapologetically aggressive looks, including that visual reference to the 288. Always in the eye of the beholder, there's no escaping that gaping double decked side vent, even when driving. Yes, there it is in the mirror!

458 facelift or all-new car then? It shares a roof and glasshouse with the outgoing car and the basic proportions are undeniably familiar, as is the cabin; weight is 10kg less at 1,370kg dry with undisclosed 'lightweight options'. Aero takes a significant step forward, a double-decker front splitter directing air over bigger radiators and to the underside where curved vortex generators send low-pressure air to the rear. In 'DRS' mode (indicated on the dash) a flap lowers on the underside to bypass the diffuser and reduce drag while 'base bleed' air ducted from the top half of the intakes exits beside the lights to reduce the drag created by the blown rear wing. Even door handles improve flow to the intercoolers. Overall downforce is increased by 50 per cent compared to a 458 with over 200kg at 125mph; aero efficiency shows comparable improvements.

Darling, did you boil wash my V8?
Darling, did you boil wash my V8?
Facts and stats
The 100hp gain over the outgoing Italia is eye catching but it's the jump in torque from the 458's 398lb ft to 560lb ft you really need to digest. One reason it's two seconds faster than an Italia round Fiorano and half a second faster than a Speciale, despite weighing 80kg more than the latter and being on standard tyres. And the 8.3 seconds to 200km/h is 2.1 seconds faster than the 458 (and a token tenth quicker than a McLaren 650S).

If these improvements weren't enough Ferrari even claims that in comparable situations on track you're only actually using 520 of the 458's 570hp. Whereas in the 488 you're always in the powerband and getting the full 670. Applying Maranello logic, the power gain is actually more like 150hp. Protesting too much in an attempt to marginalise the atmo engine die-hards? Perhaps. Certainly this inspired the focus on eradicating turbo lag, low inertia titanium-aluminium turbines spinning within ball bearing twin-scroll IHI turbos fed by paired, equal length headers for faster spool-up.

It's all about response. Predictably Ferrari has graphs to prove it, suggesting identical pick-up in third gear to the naturally-aspirated V8. Specific output has leapt from 127hp/litre to 172hp/litre too, a convenient 1hp/litre more than the 650S. But die-hards will notice the way the 488's engorged power curve plateaus from around 6,500rpm to the 8K redline while the 458's keeps climbing steadily all the way to the 9,000rpm cutout.

Cabin will be familiar to 458 owners
Cabin will be familiar to 458 owners
Touchy feely
Bringing us to sound and sensation. Frankly have flat-plane Ferrari V8s ever really sounded that good? Perhaps a couple of generations ago but the direct-injection 458's binary switch from thrummy low revs to 'look at me!' hysteria was always a little clumsy. Ferrari has worked hard on the noise but - correctly - harder still on replicating that snappy feel to the throttle those raised on 360s, 430s and 458s will know and love. At the very extremes the normally aspirated engines still have a more natural feel, the turbo motor fighting back with the sheer impact of its punch and an exotic range of whooshes and whistles on top of the ever-present blare.

The engine itself shares a block - if not much else - with that of the California T, that car's clever management of torque through the gears a dry run for the main event here in the 488. First to third use the same shallower torque curve, fourth, fifth and sixth progressively steeper and all capped to 516lb ft. Meaning you only get the full 560lb ft in seventh, not that you're ever left feeling short changed. This isn't just about avoiding destabilising torque spikes; it also allows Ferrari to stack the gear ratios nice and close to keep things feeling lively.

Cheer up Dan, you're driving a Ferrari!
Cheer up Dan, you're driving a Ferrari!
And lively they most definitely feel. Unlike AMG and others Ferrari hasn't tried to hide the forced induction; the whooshes, gurgles and overwhelming rush of boost are clearly detectable. Inescapable in fact. But there is never a moment when the V8 feels caught off guard. On boost a McLaren feels similarly explosive. But by the time the 650S has spooled up the 488 will have several lengths on it. Or at least that's how it feels. And the way it picks up speed is never anything less than astonishing, to the extent you genuinely need to recalibrate braking points and turn-in speeds.

Fundamentalist
All of this would be naff-all use if you couldn't put it to the road. And here the 488 pairs fundamentally sound, 458-derived underpinnings (wheelbase and front track are the same, tyre sizes as per the Speciale) with next-gen electronics. So you get the familiar fast, hydraulically assisted steering with lovely weighting and response, strong, dependable brakes and brilliantly matched springs and active magneto rheological dampers. Now integrated into an updated version of the Speciale's Side Slip Control and working with the F1-Trac active diff and stability control, varying the damper forces front to back to counter under- and oversteer as required.

Fast on the track, devastating on the road
Fast on the track, devastating on the road
The beauty of having strong foundations is that the electronics only really need intervene at the extremes. Leaving you to marvel at the ability to dive into the corner and plant your foot safe in the knowledge as much of that 670hp as possible will fire you out the other side. Things can be made progressively more exciting with every twist of the Manettino, your confidence growing to the point you think Esc Off might be a fun way to really explore what the 488 can do.

Tread carefully though.

Fragile of self-confidence or lacking in driving talent? You're better off leaving it in Race and keeping Ferrari's entourage of ego-massaging support systems close at hand. Because left in a room alone with the 488 it suddenly becomes much, much scarier company.

Bespoke torque delivery for each gear is key
Bespoke torque delivery for each gear is key
At nine tenths or even 9.9 the 488 feels utterly predictable and on your side; the beautifully direct steering, natural balance, faithful front end, lightning fast damping and snappy throttle response all flattering your inputs with just enough breathing space for some thinking time too. Dampers decoupled into 'bumpy road' with Sport or Race on the Manettino it's supple and agile, capable of deploying full bore acceleration over horrendous surfaces without so much as a shimmy. The damping is beautiful - lithe, responsive but totally in control - and the stability systems all quietly mop up after you. Like all Ferraris it makes ballistic pace feel easy, without forgetting the sensory stuff that makes it exciting too.

Special mention to the gearbox here; it's based on the same Getrag dual-clutch as the 458 but has been significantly reworked. It's now so much faster that if you hold the downshift paddle on corner approach the gearbox can downshift through four ratios in the same time it took the 458 to do three. It's still more fun clicking your way through them individually, savouring each snap of shift and flare of revs.

Things can get quite hairy quite quickly
Things can get quite hairy quite quickly
"I am a driving god!"
It's therefore all too easy to kid yourself you've got the god-like skills to easily cope with 670hp and no driver aids. When, in reality, the 488 GTB with everything off will readily prove you mere mortal.

There isn't that scary sense of lingering boost as you back out of it like you'd have in old-school turbos. But if you've deliberately provoked the car you have to be aware the power comes on with increasing intensity. And it's harder to balance on the throttle as a result. Basically if you've pulled the pin you'd better be ready for the explosion to follow.

This is good though. This level of performance shouldn't be completely sanitised. It should bloody well be exciting. And though the whole package impresses it's the sheer giddy speed of the 488 that sticks with you long after you've hung up the keys.

Your move McLaren, 675LT had best be good...
Your move McLaren, 675LT had best be good...
'Facelift' or not this is a big moment for Ferrari, and for the cars the 488 GTB competes with. The first post-Montezemolo car, the first new-age turbo Berlinetta, another massive leap in performance and a pumping up of the visual aggression. The Huracan flies the flag for the normally aspirated old-school, the 675LT will surely give it a proper run for its money on the tech and performance. But on this showing the Ferrari arguably beats Lamborghini on the emotive stuff and McLaren on the appliance of science. The bar has been set very, very high.

Through all this it doesn't forget its core objectives. Speed. Noise. Ability to distract from maths lessons. And most of all fun. Of all the f-words associated with this new Ferrari that's the one that counts.


FERRARI 488 GTB
Engine:
3,902cc V8, twin-turbo
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto, rear-wheel drive
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: £183,974 (with HELE)

A slightly tentative lap of Fiorano...













Author
Discussion

purpleperil

Original Poster:

1,212 posts

283 months

Thursday 4th June 2015
quotequote all
Brilliant. Next year can't come soon enough now smile

Edited by purpleperil on Thursday 4th June 23:34

Axel987

274 posts

108 months

Thursday 4th June 2015
quotequote all
brilliant. in TDF blue with creme leather for me plz

TREMAiNE

3,904 posts

148 months

Thursday 4th June 2015
quotequote all
When this was first revealed, I thought it looked a bit st...

But now.... I think I'm in love! cloud9

mrclav

1,280 posts

222 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
Sounds like a very positive review.

The more I look at the 488 the more I like it!

JackP1

1,269 posts

161 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
It sounded a lot better than i thought it would anyway.

PunterCam

1,069 posts

194 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
"Because, really, all we want to know is just how fast the 488 GTB?" - Well, no, not really. Obviously it'll be faster than the old one - Ferrari are a business with a marketing department. It won't be as fast as the next one though. Just like all mass-produced sports cars. I'd like Ferrari to "do" an F50.

That graph and the sounds from the video - looks like Ferrari haven't done quite all we (I) were(was) lead to believe. Drop off after 6k, limited torque in low gears to make it "feel" bett... you know, I don't even care. It sounds like something fiat would do to make a warm punto feel a little snappier. It's computer code and automatic gearbox trying to make up for actual mechanical excitement, and it bores me. And it sounds crap, sadly.

It looks alright, but so did the 458... Apart from the looks and the interior, which are Ferrari and distinctive, the specs could be Audi. Even the 'effin Germans are still making high-revving atmospherics! What a funny world. It's not an irrational hate people have towards turbos - we dislike them because they aren't as good. They don't come close.

philmots

4,630 posts

259 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
Chris Harris video just went live on YouTube, he's not a bad word to say about it.

fatboy69

9,371 posts

186 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
philmots said:
Chris Harris video just went live on YouTube, he's not a bad word to say about it.
Just watched the video. What an amazing car the 488 has turned out to be. Looks extremely gorgeous, sounds really good, handles superbly & it looks incredibly quick.

I also don't much like turbo cars, apart from the F40 & the 288, however I would, if I had the money, happily buy this car.

I would think that anyone who is awaiting a 458, or who has recently purchased one, is now feeling really rather bad.

I just wish that Ferrari still produced cars with 3 pedals & a gated gear-change. That would be perfect.

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
I'm sure it's very good in the objective sense, but subjectively speaking this is the least appealing small Ferrari ever for me. Obviously I haven't driven one (and probably never will) but from the information currently available, I don't actually like anything about it.

981C

1,091 posts

147 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
I'd like to see those power and torque graphs for each gear. Also, there's no mention of the limiter anywhere. The Macca will Rev to 8500, so I guess this is lower.

Edited by 981C on Friday 5th June 08:15

RumbleOfThunder

3,546 posts

202 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
Awesome as predicted. Better for being turbochaged.

gsuk1

121 posts

150 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
Am I the only person who just doesn't really like it.
I dont like the looks very much, to fiddly and not very pretty. I'm till not sure about the turbo it's less pure in my opinion.

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
With the Caveat that "i'm getting old", increasingly modern cars leave me cold. Yup, they are F-ing fast (8.5 sec to 200kph!!) but you just sit there and occasionally pull a paddle. Watch the video when the Ferrari test driver is pedaling, they are just sitting there, whilst the car whisks them to the other end of the straight, it's really rather dull tbh.

Compare and contrast to getting an F40 from 0 to 200Kph, it's a blur of arms, legs, steering inputs and perfect driver interaction with the car (and miles slower than the 488, but i'd have an F40 in an instant, the 488? meh, frankly, you can keep it)

Still, they'll look nice racing between the lights in 1st gear in That There Old London Town............ ;-)

Varn

205 posts

200 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
Ferrari RMR cars are getting worse and worse. No manual clutch, and now the added killjoy of forced induction.

What's next, AWD?

RamboLambo

4,843 posts

169 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
981C said:
I'd like to see those power and torque graphs for each gear. Also, there's no mention of the limiter anywhere. The Macca will Rev to 8500, so I guess this is lower.

Edited by 981C on Friday 5th June 08:15
Precisely. Easy to quote top numbers and put a positive spin on it but as good as it all sounds they can't hide the fact that its a facelifted 458 without the V8 n/a soundtrack.

Now that USP over McLaren has gone it will be interesting to see the 488 v 650 shootout

keith2.2

1,100 posts

194 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
Maybe it's the fact that was really well written - I really appreciate the thoroughness of thought that has gone into the tech and it was great to read about it - but I genuinely can't remember the last time I had so - much - want for a car..

Dan Trent

1,866 posts

167 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
981C said:
I'd like to see those power and torque graphs for each gear. Also, there's no mention of the limiter anywhere. The Macca will Rev to 8500, so I guess this is lower.

Edited by 981C on Friday 5th June 08:15
Here you go! Black line is 458, the lowest red line is the torque map for gears one, two and three, next one is fourth, then fifth, sixth and finally seventh with the full whack.

Hope that's useful!

Cheers,

Dan

Truckosaurus

11,183 posts

283 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
Max_Torque said:
... but you just sit there and occasionally pull a paddle. ...
Wise Words. As well as watching the YouTube reviews of the 488 (you can tell there was an embargo as Harris, PH and EVO all launched their videos at exactly the same time) I also watched Matt Farah's new video of an 'old' F430 with manual gearbox on a quick run through a California canyon, and that seemed much more appealing to me.

Farah also made the point that in the USA Ferrari offer an unlimited mileage 7yr warranty as they know that no-one daily drives their cars. This makes having a nice easy to drive car even more pointless as a weekend special other than for "new is always better" pose value.

gl20

1,121 posts

148 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
With continuous hikes in power, aero, tech and price, is there now space for a new range that is more similar in feel to 328 - 355? Not as fast but still quick and a look that I think a lot of people miss.

Happyjap

382 posts

108 months

Friday 5th June 2015
quotequote all
Looks beautiful, thank you for the good story Mr. Dan, I enjoyed it very much also loved the video of you on the track!