Ferrari 488 GTB

The Ferrari 488 GTB (Tipo F142M) is a mid-engined sports car produced by the Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari. It was launched on 3 February 2015, in advance of its world première at the March 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The 488 GTB is a heavily re-engineered replacement for the Ferrari 458, sharing several design features and chassis measurements. The 488 GTB was priced at £181,849 in the UK, an increase of around 2% on the 458 price.

It is powered by a 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8.

It replaces the excellent 458 Italia, so has a lot to live up to. Also, it face competition from the likes of the super quick Mclaren 650S and 675LT and also the best car lamborghini has ever made, the  Lamborghini Huracan.

Engine

The 488 GTB is powered by a 3,902 cc (238 cu in) all-aluminium dry sump unit of the Ferrari F154 engine family. Turbocharged with two parallel ball-bearing twin-scroll turbochargers supplied by IHI and two air-to-air intercoolers, the compressor wheels are made of low-density TiAl alloy often used in jet engines to reduce inertia and resist high temperatures within the turbocharger. The engine produces 670 PS (493 kW; 661 hp) at 8000 rpm and 760 N·m (561 lb·ft) of torque at 3000 rpm. This results in a specific power output of 126.3 kW (171.7 PS; 169.4 hp) per litre and specific torque output of 194.8 N·m (144 lbf·ft) per litre, both records for a Ferrari road car.

Transmission

The only available transmission for the 488 is an automatic dual-clutch 7-speed F1 gearbox manufactured for Ferrari by GETRAG, based on the gearbox used in the 458.

Handling

Improved carbon-ceramic brakes are supplied on the 488, derived from technology used in LaFerrari, constructed with new materials that reduce the time needed to achieve optimum operating temperature. Disc sizes are 398 mm at the front, and 360 mm at the rear. These advancements reportedly reduce stopping distances by 9% over the 458.

A new 5-spoke alloy wheel design is designed for the 488, measuring 20 inches front and rear. Front tyres measure 245/35 with rears 305/30.

Performance

Claimed manufacturer performance of the 488 is 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.0 seconds, 0–200 km/h (120 mph) in 8.3 seconds, covering the quarter mile in 10.45 seconds and continuing to a top speed in excess of 330 km/h (210 mph).

Design

The body of the 488 has been designed to increase downforce by 50% over the 458 while reducing aerodynamic drag. A new front double splitter increases radiator cooling while a newly-designed blown spoiler integrated into the rear decklid and bumper increases downforce without requiring a raised wing. The central "Aero Pillar" deflects air under the flat body of the car while two vents in the bonnet provide an exit for air from the dual intakes of the front bumper, further reducing air pressure over the front of the car.

Underbody vortex generators work to reduce air pressure beneath the car thereby increasing overall downforce. A larger rear diffuser works to increase the velocity of air exiting the underbody to further lower air pressure, in conjunction with active aerodynamic variable flaps that both reduce drag and increase downforce as controlled by a microprocessor. The increased size of the diffuser over the previous 458 requires the twin exhausts of the 488 to be positioned higher in the rear bumper for clearance.

The scalloped side air intakes are an homage to those found on the 308 GTB, and are divided by a central partition. Air entering the top intake is partially directed into the turbocharger compressor intake, while the rest is directed through the rear of the car and exits alongside the rear lights, increasing air pressure behind the car in order to reduce aerodynamic drag. Airflow entering the lower intake is directed towards the intercoolers in order to cool the intake charge.