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Ferrari 488 GTB Drag Races Ferrari FF To Prove a Point from Prancing Horse Hell

When a Ferrari 488 GTB engages in a straight line battle with an FF, there are plenty of conclusions to be drawn. However, while we're here to show you such a drag race, we want to focus on one particular point.
Ferrari 488 GTB vs. Ferrari FF drag race 4 photos
Photo: YouTube screenshot
Ferrari 488 GTB vs. Ferrari FF drag raceFerrari 488 GTB vs. Ferrari FF drag raceFerrari 488 GTB vs. Ferrari FF drag race
The fight took place on an airfield in Germany and we'll drop some numbers for the two Prancing Horses, simply because the clip showing the race doesn't include figures.

While the Grand Tourer comes with a power-to-weight ratio of 3.1 kg per PS, the mid-engined supercar only burdens each of its horses with 2.4 kilograms. Then there's the torque fight, which once again sees the 488 GTB dominating the FF (read: 560 lb-ft/760 Nm over 503 lb-ft/683 Nm, respectively).

As a result, the FF needs 11 seconds flat to complete the quarter mile task, while the 488 can play the 1,320 feet game in 10.3 seconds.

Sure, with the Ferrari GTC4Lusso having replaced the FF, the generation gap protects the latter from getting its aura dented by being slower than a 488 GTB. Nevertheless, we would love to see how the GTC4Lusso fairs against the 488 though, in both V12 and twin-turbo V8 trim.

As for the aspect we want to focus on, we won't waste your time by dropping paragraph after paragraph on how cozy and spacious the FF is (we did that in our two FF adventures).

Instead, we're here to discuss one key aspect of this family Fezza, namely its V12 engine. You see, V12s make a lot of sense thanks to their torque assets, which is why go-fast machines such as the Ferrari F12 Tour de France or the Lamborghini Aventador are nothing short of mind-blowing.

However, in the twin-turbo era we've entered, the V12 loses most of its advantages over the V8 configuration, as the forced induction covers the torque bits all too well.

And this doesn't just apply to Ferraris, but we'll have to move from the "V" to the "W" engine configuration to prove this point. Excuse us for leaving our top hats at home, but, after driving the Bentley Continental GT W12 and V8, we didn't feel the first could top the second in any way other than badge-provided elegance. Extra refinement? Low-end twist? The V8 seemed just as good as the W12.

Let's return to the Maranello realm

With YouTube drag races being just as common as music videos these days, the clip we have here brings a breath of 360-degree fresh air, so we're inviting you to explore this feature below.

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About the author: Andrei Tutu
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In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist.
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