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Ferrari 488 GTB picks up where the 458 Italia left off

Geneva Motor Show: So long, Ferrari 458. Your turbocharged V8 replacement has been revealed in the form of the 488 GTB ─ GTB an acronym of Gran Turismo Berlinetta.

It has been 40 years since the 308 GTB, Ferrari’s first ever mid-engined V8 berlinetta. Over that time Ferrari has been perfecting Italian styling and performance, both of which are present and correct in the 488 GTB.

What the 488 GTB lacks in displacement compared with the 458 Italia, it more than makes up for with power. Its 3.9-litre V8 twin-turbo outputs 661bhp (an increase of 99bhp) and a whopping 760Nm (560lb/ft) of torque, an increase of 220Nm.

No wonder, then, 0 to 62mph takes three seconds like the more powerful 458 Speciale and that it laps Ferrari’s Fiorano test track in 1 minute and 23 seconds – two seconds faster than the 458 and half a second quicker than the Speciale. 0 to 124mph takes 8.3 seconds.

Aerodynamic adjustments mean 325kg of downforce is generated at 250km/h. Meanwhile a cleverer version of Side Slip Angle Control helps you get the tail out, working with active dampers, F-Trac and E-Diff to give what Ferrari claims is ‘an extremely thrilling driving experience’.

There are hints of the Ferrari LaFerrari, 458 and 458 Speciale from every angle, but this is no Frankenstein’s monster. Every curve and straight edge is exactly where it should be. Who needs a triple-exit exhaust, eh?

No word on a price just yet and how many will be built, but no doubt it will cost a small fortune as the 458 Speciale costs around £200,000 before you start asking for extras and personalisation.

Ferrari 488 GTB pictures and video

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