It all started with the old Berlinettas in 1947. Now we’re here, with a pair of turbocharged V8 engines, millisecond responsiveness and technologically advanced aerodynamic design.
The 488 GTB arrives with sportiness and performance, undeniably Ferrari’s most popular traits. The new Ferrari seems to bring its fans on a tour around the Ferrari Maranello Museum, as it adopts a La Ferrari-style front bumper and carbon-ceramic brakes. Air intake scallops reminiscent of the 308 GTB and a large rear windscreen similar to the 458 Italia showcases its traditionally red valve covers. The tail lights have been restyled along with grilles to give a deeper three-dimensional look. It also sounds like a beast: Two large exhausts, magnifying the Ferrari roar evenly in volume and clarity, based on an in-depth study of tonality and harmonics at different engine speeds.
The cockpit has more splashes of red than its similar predecessors, coupled with Daytona-style seats, classic knobs for controls, switches and buttons on a multifunction steering wheel, completely leaving out column stalks and Manettino dials, inspired by the F1 cockpit.
Decking in pure clean lines and sculptural flanks, the sophisticated chassis cuts through the air smoother than the 458 Italia; precise aerodynamics enhanced by a double front spoiler, base-bleed side air intakes, a blown spoiler and more significantly, vortex generators that break out of its otherwise flat underbody. This decreases the drag and increases the downforce by 50%, bringing its aerodynamic efficiency figure to 1.67.
The 488 GTB draws one into the heart of the Ferrari. The 488 GTB runs on a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which is familiar to the California T’s. Deriving its name from the 488 cubic centimeters per cylinder displacement, Maranello’s new addition grants an impressive response time of just 0.8 seconds. The new beast forces 661 of horsepower to give a 0-99.7 km/h sprint in just 3.0 seconds flat, coupled with a maximum speed of more than 330 km/h, over the dry weight of 1370 kg.
The new addition boasts the evolved Side-Slip Angle control, which allows turning out of corners seamless without hindering the enjoyment of the driver. The electronic control subsystem integrates with the F1-Trac and E-Diff, ensuring that complex manoeuvres are handled easily without being at all intrusive.
In summary, the Prancing Pony has taken to the workshop a 458 Italia, replaced the engine with a madly turbocharged one, enhanced the best technologies of its predecessors, improved its sharp look, to spawn the 488 GTB, a racing seabiscuit ready to challenge confidently against the McLaren 650S or the Lamborghini Huracan.
Filed under: Lifestyle Tagged: 488 GTB, ferrari, Ferrari488, FerrariGTB, italian, Luxury Cars, Maranello, Professionals, Singapore, Supercars
