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The Ferrari F8 Tributo's 710-HP V8 Is What Gearheads Call Contemporary Art

Whether you’re a fan of the Prancing Horse or not, it’s hard not to love the F8 Tributo. It looks amazing from every angle and the incredible V8 concealed under the lightweight Lexan engine cover is a work of automotive art that adds to the awesomeness of this exquisite vehicle.
Ferrari F8 Tributo 10 photos
Photo: Ferrari N.V.
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When thinking about Ferrari V8s, my mind goes straight to the epic powerplant of the F40, but if you aren’t stuck in the past like myself, the current-generation V8 of the F8 Tributo will prove that the Italian carmaker hasn’t lost a beat in the past three decades when it comes to developing this type of engines.

Developed as the successor of the 488, the new supercar features an improved design that makes it look more aggressive and refined while retaining cues from the past models.

However, we’ll skip the part where we judge the exterior design work of Ferrari’s Styling Centre and focus instead on the heart of the F8 Tributo, the glorious mid-mounted engine.

Ferrari F8 Tributo's V8
Photo: Ferrari N.V.
Developing 710 hp (530 kW) and 770 Nm (568 lb-ft) of torque, it is one of the most powerful V8s ever mounted on a conventional road-going Ferrari. Codenamed F154CG, the 3.9-liter (238.1 cu-in) powerplant is a slightly modified version of the one used in the track-focused 488 Pista.

It's built on an aluminum block with a traditional 90-degree angle between the cylinder banks and, unsurprisingly for a supercar engine, is equipped with a dry-sump lubrication system.

The valvetrain contains 32 valves that are actuated through roller finger followers by two overhead camshafts per bank, while the timing chain is located on the flywheel side.

Like all V8s from the F154 family, this powerplant uses a gasoline direct injection system and continuously variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust side.

Ferrari F8 Tributo's V8
Photo: Ferrari N.V.
Compared to previous engines, it’s fitted with specific intake plenums and manifolds with optimized fluid-dynamics that help improve the combustion efficiency by reducing the temperature of the air in the cylinder.

Coupled to the flat-plane crankshaft are F1-derived titanium connecting rods, which in turn are connected to strengthened pistons.

Also borrowed from the world of motorsport are the robotically welded Inconel manifolds that form part of a completely modified exhaust layout also featuring larger-diameter, equal-length pipes compared to previous Ferrari V8s.

The induction system uses a pair of parallel twin-scroll water-cooled turbochargers made by the Japanese experts IHI fitted with innovative rev sensors, developed in the 488 Challenge. These are said to increase efficiency and, as Ferrari states, completely erase any trace of turbo lag; as for cooling, it is provided by two air-to-air intercoolers.

Ferrari F8 Tributo
Photo: Ferrari N.V.
This unit is linked to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission based on the 7DCL750 built by Magna PT (formerly Getrag), which features improved gear ratios compared to the unit used in the 488 Pista.

Using this marvelous powertrain Ferrari claims that the F8 Tributo can accelerate from 0–100 kph (0–62 mph) in 2.9 seconds, 0–200 kph (0–124 mph) in 7.6 seconds, and on to a top speed of 340 kph (211 mph).

Those are Ferrari-worthy numbers that validate the F8 Tributo’s place among the greatest members of the mid-mounted V8 lineage.

Those who are looking to purchase this exotic beast will have to pay over $275,000 for the privilege. For an even more exhilarating driving experience, the F8 also comes in an open-top Spider version.
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About the author: Vlad Radu
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Vlad's first car was custom coach built: an exotic he made out of wood, cardboard and a borrowed steering wheel at the age of five. Combining his previous experience in writing and car dealership years, his articles focus in depth on special cars of past and present times.
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