Ferrari F8 Tributo | Spotted
Production of the F8 was wound up last year, Ferrari confirmed last week. Time to take the plunge?
You may have seen the news already about Ferrari’s 2023 results; as with almost every other year, things are looking very rosy indeed at Maranello, with 13,663 deliveries (up 3.3 per cent against 2022), net revenues up 17.2 per cent to €5.97bn, and adjusted net profit on that of an astonishing €1.257bn. Even the commercial revenue from F1 improved. The money makers are exactly where you might expect them to be in the lineup, too, with the ‘ramp up phase’ of the Purosangue enjoyed during ‘23 as well as ‘higher deliveries’ of both the 296 and SF90, which seems notable given neither are brand new any more. The first Roma Spider customers received their cars in the last quarter of the year, which already bodes well for 2024. With three new models expected in the coming months, too, it’s set to be another bumper year for Ferrari.
Hidden in the 15-page financial results release, however, is a little bit of sad news: “During the year, the F8 family’s deliveries concluded and the Portofino M was approaching the end of its lifecycle.” There probably won’t be much sadness at the Portofino’s demise (not with the Roma to take its place, at least) but the mid-engined V8 berlinetta has been a constant of the Ferrari range for so long that not having one will feel pretty strange. For half a century, in fact, back to the 308 GT4 (or Dino 308 as it would have been in 1973, before it was Ferrari badged in 1975), the mid-engined V8 has been the entry point to Maranello supercars. We’ve all grown up lusting after one or two of them, be it 328 or 355, 430 or 458. The track specials have consistently been some of the best Ferraris of the past two decades. And among the best cars of any sort, anywhere.
So even with the fabulous, V6 hybrid 296 GTB set to assume the spot of baby berlinetta (with 830hp, and a more focused version to come), the likely demise of the V8 feels significant. The end of the F8 Tributo means the end of a Ferrari chapter that’s endured 50 years. It can be easy to forget, too, given the pace of development at Ferrari these days, just what a prospect the F8 was. Sure, it was related to the 488 GTB, which had its roots in the 458, but right there you have probably the best series production mid-engined supercar of this century - and then the awesome turbocharged version of it. That sells the evolution short, of course, but what better car to borrow parts from?
An F8 Tributo has the same amount of power as a 488 Pista: 720hp from a 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8, which was a pretty auspicious start. Especially as it was a lighter engine, to the tune of 18kg, thanks to an Inconel exhaust, new flywheel, lighter crank and titanium conrods). There was increased downforce and reduced drag in the dramatic new look, too, which brought four lights back to the rear of a V8 for the first time since the F355 - this was no mere reskin.
The first drive review back in 2019 read as so many often do when the subject matter has a prancing horse on it: “The long and short of it is I don't really know how a 2019-spec supercar could be any better to drive on the public highway” was Dan P’s verdict, drawing attention to steering that was improved over the 458 and 488, the deft hand of the assists (under the new Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer Plus), and the apparent absence of turbo lag. Which doesn’t sound like a bad supercar at all.
Furthermore, as a new Ferrari model that wasn’t limited in its production volume - or one that represented a radical change in thinking (in the way the 296 did) - they have depreciated. This one is a 2020 car, just 8,000 miles old and with something like £125,000 of options; apparently every single carbon box was ticked, and certainly the spec badge in the boot doesn’t look like it has much more room. Moreover, while adding every single bit of possible carbon doesn’t necessarily sound like a wise approach for a great-looking Ferrari, this Blu Corsa F8 has come out fantastically, the Tortora leather inside ensuring the driving environment isn’t a sea of black. There are still years of the Ferrari service plan left, and there’s precious little wear on anything. At £209,975, it’s one of the least expensive on PH; hardly the car to chop your GT86 in for, sure, but when £195k is being asked for GT4 RS 718s a Tributo looks a whole lot of Maranello magic for the money. And what a way to end the V8 berlinetta story.
SPECIFICATION | FERRARI F8 TRIBUTO
Engine: 3,902cc, V8, twin-turbo
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 720@7,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 568@3,250rpm
0-62mph: 2.9 secs
Top speed: 211mph
MPG: 21.9
CO2: 273g/km
Year registered: 2020
Recorded mileage: 8,000
Price new: £203,476 (before options)
Yours for: £209,975
On a pedantic note, a little fact checking of statements such as “…which brought four lights back to the rear of a V8 for the first time since the F355…” might have been useful during editorial review. The 360 Modena and F430 all had quad rear lights and V8s, long after the F355.
Buying and owning a Ferrari is meant to be a life changing experience all of its own and whilst my 458 Spider was for me, everything since simply hasn’t been, sorry.
They all appear to be blinged up for the YouTube society we now live in. Maybe all in the pursuit of profits- see above. Not an ugly word I know, but very cynical.
Ok so I have said it, there you go, probably time to reach for my hard hat. Each to their own hey.
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