So, it is not called Ferrari 458M after all! Ferrari’s hot new car, bound for Geneva Motor Show debut, is a hotted-up and face-lifted 458 called the Ferrari 488 GTB. The car pays homage to the firm’s first ever mid-rear-engined V8 model, the 308 GTB, launched exactly 40 years ago.
In describing the Ferrari 488 GTB, the first thing the company mentions is that it “provides track-level performance that can be enjoyed to the full even by non-professional drivers.” That is a cause for worry, because it means they have build a car for the fat, useless rich guys who buy Ferraris just to show off. It is the same trap Lamborghini has fallen into. Their cars are not intimidating anymore, but they have also lost some of their charm. Then again, they need to sell cars to survive. And fat talentless rich dudes are where the money is right now.
Anyway, the specs: Ferrari 488 GTB is powered by a 4.0 liter (3902 cc) V8 engine boosted with two turbos. It generates 670 horsepower at 8,000 rpm along with 760 Nm. Believe it or not, this is actually Ferrari’s idea of going green!
The GTB can accelerate from 0 to 200 km/h in 8.3 seconds which is the time your normal family sedan takes to reach 100. It also has a Fiorano lap record of 1’23”, which is faster than an Enzo. The dual-clutch transmission gearbox in this car is fitted with a Variable Torque Management system that is responsible, in part, for those figures. It also comes with Side Slip Control 2, first seen on the Speciale.
Visually, and as expected, Ferrari 488 GTB is not as pretty as the standard 458. It is more aerodynamically efficient though, thanks largely to a double front spoiler, base bleed side intakes active aerodynamics at the rear and a blown spoiler.
Ferrari 488 GTB will undoubtedly have limited production numbers and a mahoosive price tag. These numbers will be revealed at the Geneva Motor Show where the car makes it debut.