A unique drive for certain

AFTER 40 years since the unveiling of Ferrari’s first ever mid-rear-engined V8 Berlinetta, the 308 GTB, the Prancing Horse opens a new chapter in its eight-cylinder history.

The Ferrari 488 GTB’s name marks a return to the classic Ferrari model designation with the 488 in its name indicating the engine’s unitary displacement, while the GTB stands for Gran Turismo Berlinetta.

Ferrari drew on its experience in both F1 and GT racing, in which the 458 holds the World Endurance Championship title and has won its category in two editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Ferrari 488 GTB’s all-new 3902 cc V8 turbo is at the top of its class in terms of power output, torque and response times. It delivers 492kW at 8 000rpm. Maximum torque is 760Nm in seventh gear and a throttle response time of just 0.8 seconds at 2000rpm in third gear. Consequently, the Ferrari 488 GTB sprints from 0-100 km/h in three seconds flat and from 0-200 km/h in just 8.3 seconds.

Thanks to subsystems and electronic controls that make its power and performance instantly available and controllable, the Ferrari 488 GTB is the most responsive production model there is, with blisteringly-fast response times comparable to those of a track car.

These cutting-edge solutions are reflected in the car’s styling which accentuates its sporty character yet retains the pure, elegant lines typical of Ferrari tradition. The cockpit-style cabin design is inspired by Formula 1 and focuses on fully immersing the driver in the driving experience.

The front of the car is dominated by the central Aero Pillar and an F1-inspired double spoiler.

The Ferrari 488 GTB has an innovative aerodynamic underbody that incorporates vortex generators, special curved aerodynamic appendages which accelerate the air thereby reducing pressure. The result is that the car’s underbody is “sucked” down to the ground and downforce is higher but drag is not. The front section of the underbody is flat, generating downforce, contributing to an overall downforce generation of 325kg at 250km/h.

The latest evolution of the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) guarantees even more efficient Anti-lock Breaking System (ABS) intervention in low-grip situations. This was made possible by the faster calculation and response speeds delivered by new hardware and rewritten software.

Thanks to the new Brembo Extreme Design braking system, the Ferrari 488 GTB’s stopping distances are 9% shorter than the previous model.

The Ferrari 488 GTB’s cabin was designed to exude extreme sportiness without sacrificing occupant comfort. This heightens the impression of a cockpit tailored around the driver’s needs. For instance, the commands are not clustered on the steering wheel and are on the wraparound satellite pods which are angled directly towards the driver.

Great thought also went into the new seats which have fixed headrests. They are even lighter and offer extremely high containment while being very comfortable, thanks to new profiles and padding designed for long journeys.

The Ferrari 488 GTB also boasts a new Sport infotainment system with the display still part of the instrument cluster in the driver’s line of sight. Allowing the car to be started or turned off, one simply press the “Start or Stop Engine” button on the steering wheel while the key is still in the driver’s pocket or in the special storage area on the tunnel.