Details of Cars

Ferrari 488: the turbocharged V8 that replaced the 458

Exotic Cars FERRARI Luxury Cars

Ferrari 488 GTB at Geneva 2015
Ferrari 488 GTB at the Geneva Motor Show 2015. Photo by Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Ferrari 488 (Type F142M) is a mid-engine sports car produced by Ferrari. It replaced the 458, being the first mid-engine Ferrari to use a turbocharged V8 since the F40, and was succeeded by the F8. The 488 GTB was named “The Supercar of the Year 2015” by Top Gear and Motor Trend’s 2017 “Best Driver’s Car”.

Ferrari 488 at a glance

Ferrari 488 key facts
Maker Ferrari, Italy
Type F142M mid-engine sports car
Predecessor and successor 458; F8
Engine 3.9 L (3,902 cc) twin-turbo V8, F154 family
Power 670 PS (661 hp) at 8,000 rpm
Torque 760 N·m (561 lb·ft) at 3,000 rpm
Specific output 171.7 PS per litre, a Ferrari record
Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch, Getrag
Brakes carbon-ceramic, 398 mm front and 360 mm rear
0–100 km/h 3.0 seconds (claimed)
0–200 km/h 8.3 seconds (claimed)
Top speed 330 km/h (205 mph) (claimed)

English Wikipedia is the only source used here, so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source; figures are the maker’s claims.

History of the Ferrari 488

The turbo V8

Ferrari 488 GTB
Ferrari 488 GTB, another view. Photo by Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The 488 GTB is powered by an all-aluminium dry-sump 3.9-litre V8 (488 cc per cylinder, hence the name) with two parallel ball-bearing twin-scroll turbochargers and two intercoolers; the turbine wheels are made of a low-density TiAl alloy used in jet engines. It produces 670 PS and 760 N·m, giving specific output and torque per litre that are records for a Ferrari. The only gearbox is a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic from Getrag, based on the 458’s.

Aerodynamics and awards

The body was designed to increase downforce by 50% over the 458 while reducing drag, with a double front splitter, underbody vortex generators, a slotted rear flap in place of a raised wing, a central “Aero Pillar” and a larger rear diffuser. The brakes, derived from LaFerrari technology, are said to cut stopping distances by 9%, and the five-spoke wheels carry 245/35 and 305/30 tyres. Jeremy Clarkson named the 488 Pista his 2019 Supercar of the Year.

Design and features

  • Downforce: 50% more than the 458.
  • Turbos: TiAl turbine wheels.
  • Records: the highest specific power of any Ferrari at the time.

Ferrari 488 versions

  • 488 GTB: the coupé.
  • 488 Pista: the track-focused version named in the source.

More Ferrari cars are in our Ferrari collection and more grand tourers and flagships in Luxury Cars.

Sources

More from Exotic Cars