Exclusive: 2016 Ferrari 488GTB Review

by Trackworthy, December 2 2016

“This thing is so quick it is outrageous!”Sam Fane, Founder and Star, Seen Through Glass

Sam Fane (SeenThroughGlass) has a special affinity for cars featuring the famous prancing horse of Ferrari, so it should come as no surprise that he was beyond excited to get behind the wheel of Ferrari’s newest mid-engine family member, the 2016 Ferrari 488GTB.

Revolutionary in that it is the first modern-day Ferrari to favour a twin turbo engine over a naturally aspirated alternative, the 488GTB sounds, feels and performs so brilliantly that we have nearly nothing negative to say about it.

The Positives

Engine. Despite having a twin turbo, lag is non-existent and torque is readily available at all rev ranges. The 488GTB is “so quick it is outrageous;”
Handling. Steering is so precise that, “no matter how quick you’re going, it’ll be there,” right where you expect it to be;
Versatility. A surprisingly easy car to live with as a daily driver. The twin turbo makes the car more subdued at lower revs;
Transmission. It’s buttery smooth, unless you’re in Race mode, in which case you get a satisfying “kick in the back” with each shift;
Brakes. Massive carbon ceramics are incredibly powerful and responsive at high speeds.
Interior. Plush, sporty and, most importantly, totally driver-focused.

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The (Few and Nitpicky) Negatives

Carbon Ceramic Brakes. Not a problem specific to the 488, but carbon ceramic brakes tend to squeak at low speeds;
Sound. This really isn’t a negative in our eyes. However, the twin turbo produces a sound different from the car’s mid-engine predecessors. It’s still loud, it’s still a beautiful sound, but some may, nonetheless, complain about the difference in tone from past models.

The Stats

0-100 kph (0-60 mph):

3.0 seconds, as tested

0-160 kph (0-100 mph):

6.4 seconds, as tested

Top Speed:

330 kph / 205 mph

Position & Transmission:

Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode

Type:

Twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection

Displacement:

238 cu in, 3902 cc

Power:

661 hp @ 8000 rpm

Torque:

561 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm

Length:

4567 mm / 179.8 in

Width:

1953 mm / 76.9 in

Wheelbase:

2,649 mm / 104.3 in

Weight:

1588 kg / 3500 lb

Conclusion

The 2016 Ferrari 488GTB is really a quasi hypercar. It’s an ultimate supercar that you can easily live with as a daily driver. Definitely worth every penny of the quarter million dollars it will set you back. And then some.

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