Announced last month, the 458 successor, new 488 GTB, finally made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The 458 has always been the customer favorite mid-engined supercar. No matter what other companies came up with, car reviewers and customers alike seemed to like the 458 more. Replacing a car so loved would be difficult for any company. This is exactly what Ferrari did with this new model.
The new 488 GTB (via Ferrari.com)
Looking at the specs, the new 488 GTB is a very “typical” Ferrari. Unsurprisingly, the new Ferrari will be lighter, faster, and more powerful than its predecessor. Just like the 458, the 488 GTB will also have an increased importance in aerodynamics and will include a variety of wind channels, splitters, and diffusors. What is surprising is the way the new 488 GTB does this.
The new Ferrari will have an 3.9L V8, an engine that is smaller than the one in the outgoing 458. To be able to make up for the cubic inches, Ferrari added two turbochargers to the 488 GTB’s engine, allowing it to produce 661 bhp and 561 lb-ft, a lot more than the 458 had. This means that the 488 GTB will go 0-60 in under 3 seconds, and will reach a top speed of 205 mph. For those who don’t know, the turbochargers are a complete departure from the line of naturally-aspirated V8 supercars that the 488 GTB descends from, and will upset some of Ferrari’s hardcore fans. Ferrari has been getting pressure over not having fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles recently. Because of this, the conversion to smaller engines and forced inductions was really a matter of time. Besides, as you can see from the video below, the 488 GTB still keeps its Ferrari sound.
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