FERRARI 488

The Ferrari 488 is a rear-wheel drive mid-engine premium supercar offered in two body styles: a coupe and a roadster with a folding hardtop. The car has an elegant design, high-performance technical “stuffing”, as well as the excellent “running” characteristics.

The car officially debuted during the international Geneva Motor Show in March 2015. A little later in the same year came the supercar Ferrari 488 Spider, which has a folding top. And in March 2018, the Italians showed an extreme version of the Ferrari 488 Pista. The whole model range is Ferrari.

Ferrari 488 GTB/Spider

Many people know the popular Italian car Ferrari Italia. So at the Geneva exhibition in 2015, the Italians showed the replacement of this model, which was now called Ferrari 488 GTB. Later it received a variant with an open top, called the Ferrari 488 Spider.

Exterior GTB/Spider

Initially, there is a feeling that the appearance of the Ferrari 488 has not changed much. Although in reality all the changes are of a minor nature, in general there are quite a lot of them. The front end now has a noticeably different bumper that has two vertical dividers. As for the front optics, its shape has not changed, but the internal design has been slightly redesigned.

The hood of the Ferrari 488 Spyder, and to be more precise, the lid of the luggage compartment, because it is located in front, has been changed dramatically. Such changes were to improve aerodynamic performance.

The drag coefficient of the Ferrari 488 GTB/Spider is 1.67, 50 percent better than the previous model. When the supercar reaches the 250 kilometers per hour mark, the downforce is 325 kg. It is not a record, but much more than it was.

The side of the Ferrari 488 Spider boasts modified fenders, a sill, which became a little bigger, as well as another aerodynamic chisel. The latter passes to the rear wing, where there is a place for the air intake, divided into two parts. The first “transmits” the air flow to the engine, and the second to the rear brakes. Both parts pre-cool the air with a common intercooler.

The height of the ground clearance is 155 millimeters. Thanks to the streamlined high roof, the dynamics increase and the car seems to suggest a swift ride. The “Italian” is supported by 20-inch massive wheels, which almost “reach” the level of the glazing line. The rear part received tweaked headlights, having LED stuffing. Near them there is a place for enlarged air ducts from the engine compartment.

The rear bumper is seriously changed. It was decided to insert the exhaust pipes in it, which looks more cool. The diffuser was left in its place. As you can see, the Italians have a car that could well compete for the title of one of the most elegant sports cars.

Interior GTB/Spider

As for the interior architecture, it has been left at the same level, but many small details have been changed. Thanks to these even minor changes, the interior of the Ferrari 488 looks newer. The lion’s share of the interior is lined with quality leather in two colors. In some places the engineers decided to use alcantara. The sports car is equipped with two seats that have sports side support and electric adjustments.

The seats themselves were finished with perforated leather. It is very comfortable to sit in sports seats, as they perfectly hold the torso during turns. If we talk about the free space, it also remained at the same level – there is a lot of it, as for a sports model. Just for this reason the supercar Ferrari 488 GTB is positioned as an everyday car.

The sports three-spoke steering wheel of the Ferrari 488 sports coupe looks recognizable upon cursory inspection, except that the shapes of the keys for the most essential functions have changed. The “steering wheel” has buttons for turn signals, engine start, switching of driving modes, and also shock absorber’s stiffness. Not without round indicators, integrated into the rim of the steering wheel, associated with the tachometer. During the manual mode it is very convenient to switch gears.

The instrument panel itself has not changed. In the very center is installed a well with a massive visually analog engine speed gauge, as well as an electronic speedometer built into it. On the sides there are displays that display data on the status of various units of the supercar. For example, the left display shows the degree of heating and overheating of the power unit, gearbox, tires and brakes.

The central console hosts as little equipment as possible. At the top there is an entertainment system unit, equipped with two washers and three buttons. Below it placed a separate climate control unit, which is regulated with washers and a few buttons. Pretty stylish design went to the air duct nozzles, which changed their own shape, which gave them aggressiveness.

On the left side of the steering wheel, there is room for a similarly shaped unit as the one in the center. It is responsible for adjusting the behavior of the Ferrari GTB/Spyder. For example, it is possible to adjust the pressure of the turbine. Most of the changes were made to the central tunnel, equipped with another rack with gearbox controls. It was changed not only by color but also the form of execution. Near it the emergency button is located, and in front of it – a cup holder.

As a result, the interior has turned out to be really practical, high-quality and comfortable. Of course, there can be questions about not the best ergonomics, but we should not forget that we are talking about a powerful sports car. The luggage compartment in the front has received volume of only 210 liters. But again, for a sports car it is quite a good option.

Specifications GTB/Spider

At the heart of this beautiful stallion, the Italians chose an aluminum V-shaped 8-cylinder 3.9-liter powerplant with a direct gasoline supply and a twin-turbocharger system. With all this in mind, the motor produces 670 horsepower (760 Nm). The company reports that the fuel consumption of the Ferrari 488 is 11.4 liters per 100 kilometers. But it looks like the real numbers are much higher.

A 7-speed robotized gearbox with two clutches and active rear differential E-Diff transfers all power to the rear wheels. Only after 3 seconds, the car accelerates to the first hundred, and the mark of 200 kilometers per hour is reached after 8.3 seconds. The top speed is claimed to be 330 kilometers per hour.

The two-seat model has a space frame made of aluminum. The engine is mounted in front of the rear axle, which allows an almost perfect weight distribution over the axles – 46.5/53.5 in favor of the rear. The coupe has a fully independent spring suspension with aluminium components – a double wishbone structure at the front and a multi-lever structure at the rear.

The basic configuration of the Ferrari 488 Spyder boasts electronically controlled shock absorbers filled with magnetorheological fluid, as well as an electric “steering wheel” booster. The braking system gets carbon-ceramic discs with a diameter of 398 millimeters at the front and 360 millimeters at the rear.

The new Ferrari 488 Pista (2018-present)

“Extreme” variant of the sports coupe was presented in the spring of 2018, and already in August 2018 the car was openly presented to the public. The car received unusual touches in the appearance and interior, a powerful motor and more efficient technical “stuffing”. Again, a little later, the Italians released a supercar with an open top in the body of the Ferrari 488 Pista roadster, having a hard folding top.

Exterior

In fact, the Italians showed a racing variant adapted for public roads, to which many have attributed the name “GTO”. If you compare with the first variant of the Ferrari 488 GTB, the novelty is equipped with a number of differences, although in general the car is recognizable. Italian engineers have equipped the front of the novelty air intake S-Duct. According to official information the downforce of the Ferrari 488 Pista is 20% more than that of Ferrari 488 GTB.

The word Pista means “track” in Italian. Moreover, it is important to keep in mind that the accent is on the front syllable.

In addition to this, the Italian engineers managed to redesign the air ducts under the bottom of the vehicle, which also had a good effect on the aerodynamic characteristics. The weight of the supercar has dropped by as much as 90 kilograms. This was partly achieved by using carbon fiber in the construction. The front fairing, the engine cover, the rear spoiler and the diffuser were made from it.

In addition, the car is equipped with 20-inch carbon fiber “rollers”, available as a separate option. Ground clearance height is 155 millimeters. The rear boasts a longer spoiler, which has become higher and longer. As a result, it produces 20 percent more downforce. Otherwise, it is still the same “basic” recognizable Ferrari 488 GTB.

Interior

The interior of the 2018 Ferrari 488 Pista features a fairly sporty interior, 4-point seat belts, an uncoated metal floor, and an overall atmosphere of concentration. There is the option to add some additional comfort-enhancing elements, such as leather or a navigator, if the buyer so desires. Sitting behind the wheel one can feel the “racing mood,” setting the bare carbon fiber on the front fascia.

It is also eloquently evidenced by a tightly sealed wall where the glove box should have been. Otherwise, the interior of the Ferrari 488 Pista echoes the minimalism, sporty feel, and high build quality of the standard variant. Sit comfortably is helped by the sports bucket seats, which perfectly hold the human body. In front of the driver is placed recognizable 3-spoke sports multifunction wheel, behind which is a modern dashboard.

Specifications

Powertrain

What propels the Ferrari 488 Pista sports coupe is a V-shaped, 8-cylinder, 3.9-liter gasoline-powered engine made of winged metal, with two turbines, a direct fuel injection system, a carbon intake manifold, titanium connecting rods, and a heat-resistant alloy exhaust manifold. The car also got a lighter crankshaft and flywheel. As a result, the car produces 720 “horses” (770 Nm).

Transmission

From the engine all the power to the rear wheels is transferred through a seven-speed robotized pre-selective transmission. The transmission of the Ferrari 488 Pista has a 3rd generation E-Diff differential as well as an electronically controlled lockup. As a result, the sports coupe reaches the speed mark of 100 kilometers per hour in just 2.85 seconds. The mark of 200 kilometers per hour is given to the “Italian” already for 7.6 seconds.

The maximum speed mode does not exceed 340 km/h. Interestingly, the Ferrari 488 Pista Roadster loses to its closed “brother” only in forcing from zero to 200 kilometers per hour – it takes on this 8 seconds.

Undercarriage

In terms of construction, the Ferrari 488 Pista copies the “normal” variant. The novelty received a space “bogie” in the base, made of winged metal, independent 2-lever suspension in front and a multilever mechanism in the rear. In addition, there is a place for adaptive shock absorbers, filled with magnetorheological fluid. It is easy to control the sports car thanks to the electric booster “steering wheel”. The braking system has carbon ceramic disc devices on all wheels.

However, it is important to note that the Ferrari 488 Pista has different gearbox and chassis adjustments. In addition, it has Michelin tires, which are specially “welded” for the Italian coupe and the SSC sliding control assistant. In addition to this, engineers have equipped the novelty of electronic add-on Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer. It gives the opportunity to adjust individually the pressure in the “brakes”, based on current information about the movement.

Features and prices

You can buy a Ferrari 488 Pista for no less than 285,000 euros. The price, as you can see, is not insignificant, but you have to pay for speed, quality and originality.

Comparison with competitors

The Lamborghini Huracan, Acura NSX, Audi R8, Aston Martin Vanquish, as well as McLaren 675LT can act as competitors of the Ferrari 488 Pista.

Pros and cons

Summing up

Considering everything described above, it is clear that the updated Ferrari 488 Pista has become much better, although its “predecessor” was already good. The car became much lighter, got a lighter but at the same time more powerful engine, new superstructure system and so on. A nice bonus is the fact that the sports model is available for public roads.

Its aerodynamics, exterior, beautiful interior, made in a sporty style, literally conjures up thoughts of a fast ride. As you can see, the Italian company does not sit still and constantly produces new, improved cars, trying not to lose the respect of fans of the brand and to be worthy competition in the automotive market.

We advise you to read the article: Ferrari History

Ferrari 488 photos