Well, we did say that the new Ferrari 488 GTB deserved some column inches, even if it has been overshadowed on the day by Aston Martin and Bentley's efforts
Basically, the 488 (the number refers to the swept capacity of a single of its eight cylinder) is the replacement for the much-loved 458, but it has one critical difference – it’s turbocharged where the 458 was naturally aspirated.
The 488 uses a development of the same 3.9-litre turbo V8 engine fitted to the recently-introduced California T, but here it's in a somewhat higher state of tune. Like 670hp and 760Nm high. Ferrari says that the car represents the culmination of knowledge gleaned not just from its F1 and Le Mans programmes, but also the customer XX track day setup, from which it says it has drawn "unique knowledge of the dynamic behaviour of extreme cars driven by non-professional drivers."
So, the 488 has some seriously evolved electronics to try and help those non-professional drivers. It sports a new version of the Side Slip Control System (SSC2) which, aside from just integrating with the car’s F1-Trac (traction control) and E-Diff, now also controls the active suspension dampers. This should mean that the Ferrari 488 GTB’s dynamic behaviour is more forgiving, so that, as Ferrari its it, “less expert drivers can enjoy its potential to the fullest, resulting in an extremely thrilling driving experience.”
There’s also a lot of aerodynamic trickery at work here. Aside from the huge intakes set into the car’s flanks, there’s proper underbody downforce which Ferrari says equates to 325kg at 250kmh. The overall design is said to draw on classic mid-engined Ferraris of the past, including the 308 GTB (yes; the Magnum P.I. one…).
Ferrari also says it has gotten around the usual lack of noise that comes from turbocharging an engine. In fact, the Italian firm claims that this new engine has a “deep and seductive soundtrack.”
The show-pony Aston and Bentley may be drawing more attention in the show hall today, and the Lamborghini Aventador SV may be the more outrageous road car, but we wonder if Ferrari may just have come up with Geneva 2015's actual best all-rounder with this one?
