Ferrari 488 GTB

Overview

Ferrari 488 GTB is a new eight-cylinder mid-engine sports car, manufactured by the Italian sports car manufacturer – Ferrari. The sports car made its world debut at 2015 Geneva Motor Show as a replacement of Ferrari 458 Italia, in a new Rosso Corsa Met livery with black and red technical fabric cabin trim, and in a Grigio Ferro Met livery with black and Beige Traditional leather interior trim. What makes 488 GTB so special is the fact that this is the first time in the forty years since Ferrari has launched a mid-rear V8 engine and that's why the moniker GTB stands for Gran Turismo Berlinetta, as a tribute to the Ferrari 308 GTB Berlinetta, which was launched at the Paris Motor Show in 1975. Also, the 488 GTB is just the second turbocharged Prancing Horse of this generation following the California.

Interior & Features

The interior of Ferrari 488 GTB features aggressively-bolstered Daytona-style seats, conventional knobs and switches, multi-function steering wheel mounted with controls for lights, wipers, and turn signals in addition to damper setting, engine start and the Ferrari's manettino chassis-control switch. There is a complete lack of column stalks or touchscreens. The dashboard of the sports car is equipped with a large central tachometer with the digital gear indicator. The redesigned seats and door panels make the interior more sporty as well as comfortable. The new design of the key take inspiration from the intake plenums of the V8 engine and allows keyless entry and engine start.

Exterior

Designed by Ferrari Styling Centre, Ferrari 488 GTB is 1213 mm (47.8 in) tall, 4568 mm (179.8 in) long and 1952 mm (76.9 in) wide with a wheelbase of 2650 mm (104.3 in) and kerb weight of 1,475kg. The sports car features an aerodynamic underbody which incorporates vortex generators, special curved aerodynamic appendages. The front fascia of 488 GTB is largely dominated by the central aero pillar and an F1-inspired double spoiler. On sides, there are base bleed air intakes which are divided by a central flap. The rear of Ferrari 488 GTB features its own patented blown spoiler in addition to a large diffuser which features active flaps and a new exhaust tailpipe. The taillights are also redesigned.

Engine & Fuel Consumption

The 488 Gran Turismo Berlinetta is powered by a mid-mounted 3902 CC twin-turbo 3.9-litre V8 engine that can produce a massive 661 bhp of power at 8000 rpm and 760 Nm of peak torque at 3000 rpm in the seventh gear and a throttle response time of just 0.8 seconds at 2000 rpm in third gear. The sports cars make its century sprint in 3 seconds flat. To accelerate from 0 to 200 kmph, it requires just 8.3 seconds. The top speed of 488 GTB is measured over 330 kmph. The power transmission is managed by an automatic dual-clutch 7-speed F1 gearbox manufactured by GETRAG.

Braking & Safety

Ferrari has ensured the safety of 488 GTB with the introduction of an upgraded version of its own Side Slip Control System – SSC 2, which is more precise yet less invasive, and more effective in controlling the active dampers and rendering the dynamic behaviour of the car during complex manoeuvres even flatter and more stable. The SCM3 magnetorheological damping system of 488 GTB now gets a faster ECU to modify the magnetic field in the dampers besides three new sensors on the car body which combinedly work to ensure greater body control with better bump absorption. The upgraded ESP also guarantees, even more, efficient ABS intervention in low-grip situations. Also, the new Brembo Extreme Design braking system of the sports car had made its stopping distance nine percent shorter than its previous model.

Verdict

Top-Class! That's how you can rate a Ferrari 488 GTB. Whether it's speed, power and performance (or even the price), the successor of Ferrari 458 Italia stands tough against its competitors: Lamborghini Huracán and McLaren 650S.