2016 Ferrari 488 GTB

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB - At this year’s Geneva Motor Show, for the 40th anniversary of the legendary 308 GTB, the first mid-engine V8 Ferrari’s model, Italian company has unveiled a successor to the aging Italia, Ferrari 488 GTB. One of the biggest surprises is that Ferrari abandoned naturally aspirated engine and developed 3.9 liters twin turbo charged one. The outside of the car also suffered changes, albeit not drastic ones. The resemblance to 458 Italia is still there, but overall, the 488 GTB looks more refined. The interior is done in classic Ferrari fashion, with all focus on the driver and multipurpose steering wheel, from which most of the car’s functions can be controlled. All in all, 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB is as Ferrari as a car can get.

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB Engine

For the first time since 1987 and F 40, Ferrari is using a turbocharged engine. Engineers from Modena have decided that trying to get more power from naturally aspirated 4.5 liter V8 would be pointless, so they designed smaller, but more powerful 3.9 liter V8 F154 engine with twin turbo chargers. Judging by the resulting 661 horse powers and 561 pound feet of torque, they have done an excellent job. Abandoning the tradition of naturally aspirated engines must have been hard, but at some point even Ferrari must join the modern times. The all-aluminum engine has parts made from titanium aluminum alloy, the same one used for jet engines. The performance is as might be expected. 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB goes from zero to 60 in 3 seconds, which is on par with 458, but from zero to 120 it is almost a full second faster, at 8.3 seconds. The top gear is in excess of 210 mph or 330 kmh. In short, it is as fast as it looks.

The transmission is again supplied by GETRAG, as the one in 458, on which it is based. Again Ferrari didn’t offer manual gearbox, just the dual clutch 7 speed automatic. This is now the second mainstay Ferrari without the gear stick and fifth overall. We aren’t sure what would late Enzo have to say about that.

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB exterior

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB is one of the most aero dynamic cars Ferrari have made. Compared to the 458 Italia, 488 GTB has 50% more down force and at the same time less drag. Sculpted hood, large air intakes on front and side of the car have a part in this achievement and allow for the rear spoiler not to be raised. The side intakes are also another homage to the venerable 308 GTB, with a distinctive triangular shape. The ridiculous 458 Italia’s front end is finally gone and 488 GTB looks like a proper spot car, with low double front spoiler and very aggressive look. From the back, the car looks massive and the lights fit in perfectly with that look.

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB interior

The inside of 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB is one of the most aero dynamic cars Ferrari have made. Compared to the 458 Italia, 488 GTB has 50% more down force and at the same time less drag. Sculpted hood is designed solely about the driver. The passenger is there just for the ride. Large steering wheel dotted with various buttons is the central piece and it is used for pretty much everything. There are no large touch screens of bunch of commands on the central console or anything else to distract from driving. Discreet sound system is placed almost out of view, on the lower portion of central dashboard. Ferrari probably figured that if you are driving a car with 660 horse powers, you don’t need any music. The sound of the engine should be enough.

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB Price and release date

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB is hitting Europe in July, while the US customers have to wait until the second half of 2015. There’s no word on the price yet, but since 458 costs $243,000, 488 GTB will be at least few bucks more.