By: Dave Abrahams
Maranello, Italy - Ferrari is, of course, best known for its high-revving V12 engines, but there is something special about the angry snarl and hair-trigger response of its V8s - starting with the iconic 308 GTB of 1975, which went on to become a TV star in its own right.
The 308, which was meant to replace the Dino, became everything the racy little V6 should have been. It was the first in a series of mid-engined, naturally aspirated V8s that spoke for Ferrari with a voice all their own, culminating in the 458 GT, holder of the World Endurance Racing title and winner of its class at the Le Mans 24 Hours for the past two years.
But now, 40 years on, Ferrari has taken its berlinetta in an entirely new direction with the 488 GTB, powered by a 3.9 litre turbo V8 for which Ferrari quotes 492kW at 8000rpm and 760Nm at 3000rpm, directed to the rear wheels by a seven-speed paddle-shift transmission.
Intriguingly, it also claims to have restricted turbo lag at 2000rpm to just eight-tenths of a second.
Factor in a dry weight of only 1370kg and Ferrari's claim that 488 will sprint from standstill to 200km/h in a fraction over eight seconds (about the same time as it took the original 308 to hit 100!) is credible, as is its quoted top end of 'more than 330km/h' and its ability to get round the Fiorano test track in just 1m23s.
Ferrari is also cognisant of the popular conception that turbocharging, while greatly improving engine efficiency, also stifles its voice; the media release for the 488 makes specific mention of the work put in by its engineers to give the new two-seater a clear, distinct and authoritative soundtrack. With all due respect, signori, we'll reserve judgement until we've heard it for ourselves.
GETTING A HANDLE ON IT.
But power is nothing without control, and here Ferrari has exploited the experienced gained in endurance racing, as well as from the XX programme, which makes extreme track-only cars available to well-heeled 'gentleman test drivers', to refine the new car's running gear to the point where non-professional drivers can enjoy its performance to the full.
Variable torque management feeds in power smoothly across the rev range, as on a MotoGP machine, when the driver floors the loud pedal out of a corner, and a revises side-slip control system controls the active dampers, in collaboration with the car's traction control and electronic limited-slip differential, to keep the 488 going in the direction in which it's pointed - low, flat and stable.
More than that, Ferrari says it has 50 percent more downforce than the 458, but with reduced straight-line drag, thanks to a double front spoiler, base-bleed side intakes, an underbody shaped to induce airflow vortices and, at the rear, active aerodynamics that include a Formula One-style blown spoiler.
The cabin is typically Ferrari, its angled air vents and instrument panel tailored around the driver, with a clear separation between the dashboard and tunnel, and Ferrari's signature multifunction steering wheel. What's new, however, is completely redesigned infotainment graphics and a 'keyless start' transponder fob inspired by the design of the engine's cylinder banks.
The Ferrari 488 GTB will make its world debut at the Geneva motor show in March; we're waiting on a reply from local distributor Viglietti as when it will be released in South Africa, and how much it will cost.