What's the news?
40 years on from the launch of Ferrari's iconic mid-engined 308 (you know, the Magnum one...) the new 488 GTB brings turbocharging to the ranks of Ferrari's V8 brigade. While the hard-core 288 GTO and F40 have had mid-mounted turbo V8s, this is the first time Ferrari's core model has had a blown engine.
It's a 3.9-litre V8 boasting a whopping 670hp and 760Nm of torque - enough for Ferrari to need to fit a torque management system to the seven-speed dual clutch gearbox to protect it from the engine's monster grunt. A 0-100kmh time isn't quoted but how about an 8.3sec run from 0-200kmh grab you? Ferrari says the engine is also much more efficient but hasn't given us any solid figures on that score yet. Throttle response, turbo lag and engine noise are all claimed to be as sharp as humanly possible for a turbo engine though.
There's 50 per cent more downforce in spite of lower drag than on the old 458 too. How? Simple (not simple at all); Ferrari has fitted this car with a blown floor - just as F1 cars used back in 2012 and 2013. By directing the exhaust gasses out through the rear diffuser, the car can effectively generate its own downforce. Keep your foot down for more grip, Seb Vettel style...
There's electronic trickery afoot too. The evolved version of Ferrari's side slip angle control system (Side Slip Control 2 - SSC2) is more precise and less invasive, providing greater longitudinal acceleration out of corners. Aside from integrating with the car's F1-Trac and E-Diff, the SSC2 now also controls the active dampers which renders the car's dynamic behaviour during complex manoeuvres even flatter and more stable.
The cabin gets a big update and an ergonomic clean up too, although it's still pretty similar in style to the 458's but there is at long last a nice new key that doesn't look like the one from a base-model Punto.
The 488 GTB will get a full public unveiling at the upcoming Geneva motor show.