Gallery: Ferrari Shuns Tradition to Build a Controversial Turbocharged Supercar
Ferrari01Ferrari 488 GTB 01
This is the Ferrari 488 GTB. It is gorgeous. It is fast. It also is turbocharged, which has sent many people into an absolute tizzy, as it represents a radical departure for Maranello. Although Ferrari has used turbochargers in racing, it has typically shunned them on street cars. That is changing, as fuel economy regulations tighten.
Ferrari02Ferrari 488 GTB 02
First things first: the 488 is propelled by a 3.9-liter turbocharged V8 good for 661-horsepower. It produces a neck-snapping 560 foot-pounds of torque. It will hit 62 mph in three seconds flat, and 124 mph in 8.3. You only think you can handle that much power.
Ferrari03Ferrari 488 GTB 03
The car is an evolution of the absolutely sublime 458, but meaner. And turbocharged. Ferrari has in the past resisted turbocharging, arguing it dulls the things people expect from Ferraris: a ferocious, animalistic exhaust note and razor-sharp throttle response. Still, the company insists this car will offer everything everyone expects from a Ferrari.
Ferrari04Ferrari 488 GTB 04
The air intake scallop on the flanks is a nod to the 308 GTB, which made its debut 40 years ago. The 488 uses a variety of static and active aero tricks to provide 50 percent more downforce than the 458. Cool aero tricks include the double front spoiler, active aero under the car and a blown rear spoiler.
Ferrari05Ferrari 488 GTB 05
This car promises to make just about everyone a better driver. The eight-speed twin-clutch gearbox features variable torque management, which ensures all that torque is unleashed smoothly. Ferrari’s excellent "Side Slip Control" system improves acceleration out of corners and now controls the active dampers. That, and other electronic wizardry, improves stability during high-speed maneuvers. And Ferraris are all about high-speed maneuvers.
Ferrari06Ferrari 488 GTB 07
Ferrari uses lap times around its Fiorano test track to benchmark its cars. The 488 GTB lapped the circuit in 1 minute 23 seconds, putting it half a second ahead of the track-oriented 458 Speciale, which was two seconds quicker than Enzo hyper-car.
Ferrari07Ferrari 488 GTB 08
The interior is straight-up Ferrari fare, and the place from which you will see the face of something akin to a god as the horizon races toward you in a blur.
Ferrari08Ferrari 488 GTB 06
Turbos have their advantages, but they simply do not sound like a normally aspirated V8. Ferrari says its engineers spent a considerable amount of time tuning the 488 GTB’s sound to create "a new soundtrack that is full, clear and totally distinctive." We'll see about that...
