The day has come, Ferrari no longer has a mid-engine naturally aspirated car in its lineup. While I’m sure everyone will miss the naturally aspirated flat plane grunt that was produced by predecessors, the staggering performance of the new 488 GTB is almost enough to make anyone forget it.

At first glance, the 488 GTB’s  front appears to be inspired by the technological masterpiece La Ferrari. The 458 Speciale’s exhaust placement has also been adapted in order to make room for the large rear diffuser. It looks as Ferrari took a normal 458, drove it into a wind tunnel, and killed two birds with one stone by improving aerodynamics and creating a much more aggressive appearance.  The rear end somehow manages to look both smoother and more aggressive than that of the 458.  The downforce of the 488 GTB has been doubled and drag has been reduced from the old 458 Italia with the utilization of a double front spoiler, side base bleed intakes, rear active aero, and last but not least an aggressive blown rear diffuser.

Twin Turbos have been bolted to a 3.9 Liter V8 which produces 660 horsepower and 560 Lb/Ft of Torque. The wizards of Maranello have also managed to shave 45 lbs from the 458’s curb weight which brings the 488 GTB’s to 3,020 lbs. The fresh power-train and weight saving techniques allow the 488 GTB to dash to 62 MPH in 3 seconds flat and to 124 MPH in 8.3 seconds. A variable torque management system incorporated into the 488 GTB’s gearbox allows for torque and power to be released smoothly and dynamically.

Ferrari’s experience in F1, WEC, and the FXX program has trickled down to the development of the 488 GTB’s electronic systems. The combination of the slip angle control system (SSC2), F1-Trac, and E-Diff allows drivers of all skill levels to enjoy the precision and power of the 488 GTB.  It appears as the 458 Italia’s interior has been recycled, unless you consider key-less start and updated infotainment graphics groundbreaking.

While it is sad to see the 458 Italia go, it has been about half a decade since its original release and the bar is being set higher and higher by rivals such as Lamborghini and McLaren. The 488 GTB has mighty big shoes to fill, but its potential looks promising. If you are interested in seeing the 488 GTB in the flesh, head to the Geneva Motor Show in March where it will take center stage.

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