Ferrari have finally put all bated breaths to rest with the official introduction of the turbocharged 458-replacement, the 488 GTB.
It’s been 40 years since a mid-engined V8 Gran Turismo berlinetta wore the iconic prancing horse badge, and the 308 GTB was a classic, without doubt. Now though, with rivals upping the ante, the Scuderia had to respond, and respond they did, with this – the twin-turbocharged V8 488 GTB; the 488 signifies the displacement of each individual cylinder.
Visually, the 488 GTB is reminiscent of the 458, but features several styling inputs which make it noticeably different. Chief among these is the large signature air intake scallop – a nod to the original 308 GTB – divided into two unequal sections by a splitter. Inside, the driver-centric layout is more than evident, and the multi-function steering wheel doesn’t disappoint.
The heart of the matter, though, is the 3.9-litre motor (interestingly enough, 47cc more than the California T) making 670 PS at a screaming 8,000 RPM and an equally monumental 760 Nm of torque; that’s 110 PS and 5 Nm more than the California T, and 65 PS and 220 Nm more than the 458 Speciale!. Mated to a lightning-quick 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with Variable Torque Management smartly channelling the force to the rear wheels, the 488 GTB promises breathtaking track performance for the road, in the hands of the experienced and the novice alike. The inclusion of Side Slip Control version 2 (SSC2) allows better acceleration out of corners, with the system now monitoring not just the F1-Trac (traction control system) and E-Diff (electronic differential), but also the active dampers; giving a more sure-footed feel when performing complex manoeuvres. Ferrari claim a 0-200 km/h dash of 8.3 seconds. We don’t see any reason to doubt a top speed of over 320 km/h, then.
The Ferrari 488 GTB will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and following the complete establishment of the company’s Indian arm, will arrive in India soon after.
Story: Jim Gorde
