2016 Ferrari 488 GTB Review: Unleashing the V8 Power

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB Driving Experience

Finally, the moment has arrived for me to experience a Ferrari. I've waited a long time, and now it's time to hit the road. In short, it was worth the wait. The car in question is the 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB, a fierce vehicle powered by a V8 engine, a descendant of the legendary 458 Italia. The 458 changed the meaning of supercars and remains one of the most beloved Ferraris to this day. Therefore, the challenge was daunting: how do you create a car that surpasses the 458? The answer lies in a larger and more powerful engine. However, carbon emission regulations limited Ferrari's enthusiasm, leading to their solution: turbocharging. Let's see how this turned out.

Design

How can you improve upon the design of an iconic car? The truth is, you probably can't! That’s exactly what Ferrari did. They retained the essence of the car while making subtle modifications here and there. The 458 was the first truly beautiful Ferrari, so there was no need to take risks with something already stunning. The front end resembles the LaFerrari, while the rear hood vents replace the traditional triple exhaust, and the side vents were enlarged to accommodate the turbo. Overall, in my opinion, it's an evolution of the 458, which is more than enough. This car was the only one I drove that had passersby giving me thumbs up, and that speaks volumes.

Interior

The story of evolution continues inside the cabin as well. The steering wheel is taken from the 458 Speciale, featuring a 7-speed manual transmission. The ceramic brakes are sourced from the LaFerrari. Since I am new to Ferrari, it took me some time to familiarize myself with the button layout. For example, there’s a "PIT" button for speed control. I was surprised by the absence of a center console. Instead, the driver’s display showcases everything, emphasizing driver comfort. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the car long enough to explore all its features, but from my brief experience, I would suggest Ferrari focus on the car's air conditioning, as I didn't feel it much during the sweltering Gulf summer. Additionally, the seats have manual adjustments for moving them forward and backward, but I couldn’t find a way to raise the seat. It should be there, but I couldn't locate it. Overall, the cabin is comfortable, albeit not on the level of a 650S. However, it is significantly better than a Huracán.

Driving Experience

Now, let's get to the most crucial part of the Ferrari experience: the drive. Right off the bat, the chassis is vastly improved over the 458, evident when navigating corners at high speeds. Ferrari's engineers have enhanced every aspect of the 458, resulting in the 488. You can find all the performance improvements online, but I'll focus on the most important part of the 488: the engine. Yes, it has a turbocharged engine, and the result is positive. The 488 is powered by the same 3.9-liter V8 found in the California T, but with a larger turbo, it produces 661 horsepower and 760 Newton-meters of torque. This allows the 488 to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, which is half a second better than advertised. Not bad at all. For comparison, these figures exceed those of the McLaren F1. However, not all news is positive. One of the main reasons people fell in love with the 458 was its engine sound, which is somewhat lacking in the 488. I don’t mean the exhaust note is bad, but it doesn’t make you want to push the redline. Fortunately, the turbo does provide a thrilling sensation when you hit 9000 rpm. I must add that the 7-speed DCT is the best transmission on the market. Yes, it’s the best.

We must not forget the brakes, which are outstanding. Yes, the LaFerrari brakes allow you to stop from 100 km/h in just 2.2 seconds. It's good to know some figures have remained unchanged.

In short, this car requires some time to get used to, as Ferrari enthusiasts may miss the naturally aspirated engine. However, if I drive a Ferrari again, I must adapt to this change, as it's the future of the automotive world.

Summary

After experiencing the Huracán, 650S, and the 488, here are my thoughts:

• The Huracán has a stunning appearance, excellent stability, and an exhilarating sound thanks to its naturally aspirated V10 engine, but it's not a daily driver.
• The 650S has a somewhat odd design, its stability isn't the best at high speeds, and its sound doesn't match the Huracán due to its turbocharged V8, but it is definitely the most comfortable among its competitors.
• The 488 boasts a breathtaking design, its sound resembles that of the 650S, and while its interior is less comfortable than McLaren's, it triumphs in terms of performance.

Therefore, the winner among these three cars is the 488. It offers a well-balanced package and delivers pure driving pleasure.