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Ferrari 488 GTB Churns Out 661 HP & 560 Lb-Ft

670 PS and 760 Nm or 661 HP and 560 lb-ft. Ladies and gents, do give big round of applause to the Ferrari 488 GTB. Wait, you didn’t hear of it yet? That’s because the 488 GTB is basically a heavily updated Ferrari 458 Italia. And good golly have we waited a long time for the Prancing Horse to come clean about its twin-turbo mill.
Ferrari 488 GTB 12 photos
Photo: Ferrari
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Without further ado, the Ferrari 488 GTB replaces the 458 Italia’s naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V8 for an all-new 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 with the previously mentioned output figures. Those 670 PS (661 HP) are achieved at 8,000 rpm, with the Maranello outfit claiming that the oomph grants an 8.3-second run to 200 km/h (124 mph).

The successor of the iconic 288 GTO and F40 cut down the 458 Italia’s 3.4-second run to 62 mph (100 km/h) to 3.0 seconds. After all, 570 horsepower vs 661 horsepower is a huge hike in performance, as is the 398 lb-ft (540 Nm) versus 560 lb-ft (760 Nm) difference between the two not so distant siblings.

In the right hands, a Ferrari 488 GTB can lap the Fiorano circuit in just 1 minute and 23 seconds

As Ferrari informs, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission has been updated. It now features Variable Torque Management which unleashes the engine’s torque smoothly right across the rev range, while specific gear ratios are said to “deliver incredibly progressive acceleration when the driver floors the throttle.” We’re also told the following: “engineers have dedicated great attention to perfecting the 488 GTB’s sound, creating a new soundtrack that is full, clear and totally distinctive.” Mmm, that sounds really yummy. Literally.

With an evolved version of Ferrari’s side slip angle control system (Side Slip Control 2 - SSC2), the 488 GTB is described as being a tad more precise an less invasive, “providing greater longitudinal acceleration out of corners.” The SSC2 integrates the F1-Trac and E-Diff controls, together with the active dampers which render the vehicle’s dynamic behaviour during manic attacks in the twisties.

Last but not least, the styling. The F1-styled, centrally-mounted LED brake light adorning the rear bumper is definitely inspired by the Ferrari F12berlietta’s, while the humongous air intake scallop is more or less a nod to the Ferrari 308 GTB. The front fascia has been visited by the botox needle as well, featuring a front spoiler with a double profile, two pylons combined with an aerodynamic deflector that channels air towards the underbody, as well as the ramp angle for the diffuser which features, get this, active flaps.

The latter aerodynamically-driven element is the reason why the three-pipe layout of the Ferrari 458 Italia was swapped for the two exhaust pipes on the 458 GTB. Ferrari goes on by saying that the “low tail is also dominated by aerodynamic solutions, including an innovative blown spoiler which generates downforce without increasing drag.” Formula One stuff.

Though the headlights and taillights don’t appear too changed, differences are easy to spot

Once you open the door, you’ll see that minor layout changes were operated. Until the Ferrari 488 GTB debuts at the Geneva Motor Show in March, we’ll leave you gawking at the video, photo gallery and technical specifications release below. A Ferrari 488 GTS (Spider) could arrive at Frankfurt in September.

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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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