Ferrari has unveiled its new eight-cylinder, mid-engine sports-car, the 2016 Ferrari 488GTB, as the successor to the 458 Italia. No more high-revving, naturally aspirated V-8s, instead a smaller turbocharged unit. Ferrari has hinted that that all of its future engines will be turbocharged or hybrids.

I am sure Ferrari afficionados will be disappointed at the loss of natural aspiration and massively high revs, but this new one is a huge improvement in both power and torque. Turbos are the way of the works these days, get used to it. The 488 GTB is the first mid-engine V8 turbo Ferrari since the F40, and the numbers it puts out would seriously shame that car.
Each cylinder displaces 488 cubic centimeters per cylinder and this is what gives the car its name. Multiply that by 8 and you get a quite small 3902 cc  V-8, which is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Of course, The new engine makes more power: 661 horsepower at 8000 rpm, versus 597 horsepower at 9000 rpm for the 458 Speciale. Torque, goes up to, and by a larger amount, reaching 561 lb-ft at a 3000 rpm, way more than the 458 Speciale’s 398 lb-ft.  Ooh ahh.

Enhanced Performance

0-60 is estimated to take 3 three seconds, we think it will be faster, especially as it only weighs 3022lbs (est) The 488 will then blast to to 125 in 8.3 seconds, a second faster than the Speciale. The top speed will be at least 205 MPH. At Fiorano, Ferrari’s private test track, the 488 GTB is a second quicker than the Speciale, and two seconds faster than the 458 it replaces.

We like the new shape, it’s consistent and still looks like a 458 from the side. The front has a more aggressive splitter and the taillights and exhaust have been redesigned.

The 2016 Ferrari 488GTB will be officially launched at the Geneva show and probably go on sale later this year. Ferrari currently asks $243,000 for a 458, so expect to have to pay more for this car. Have you check book ready…….

Gallery

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