Ferrari 488 GTB Boosts The Prancing Horse

This is Ferrari’s replacement for the 458 and by now you almost certainly know what the biggest difference between the two is.

But just in case it slipped past you, this is the Ferrari 488 GTB and it uses a turbocharged V8.

Of course, this isn’t Ferrari’s first time putting a turbo into a street-legal car, far from it. In the late 80s and early 90s there was the F40. More recently than that, Ferrari showed us the California T at this very show only a year ago before its arrival in the 2015 model year.

In fact, all future V8 products from Ferrari are slated to be turbocharged, so it’s probably something to start getting used to.

Besides, its 3.9-liter turbo powerhouse makes 660 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Oh and just in case you’re worrying, the engine is still a screamer with an 8,000-RPM redline.

2015 Geneva Motor Show Coverage

Ferrari says the car has a dry weight of about 3,000 lbs, which is actually slightly heavier than the 458 Speciale, but a little lighter than the Italia.

More importantly, it can rocket to 124 MPH in 8.3 seconds. If that speed seems arbitrary, it’s because that also equals 200 KM/H.

But there’s so much more to talk about. This car comes with Ferrari’s latest Side Slip Angle Control software that is designed to let you drive at the limit without going beyond it. Much as the new SSC system probably helps that, so does the fact that this car generates 50 percent more downforce than the gone 458. That’s enough to let it lap Ferrari’s Fiorano test circuit in 1:23, or half a second faster than the 458 Speciale.

If that all still isn’t enough, just look at it. If you think the 458 is attractive, this thing will leave you positively gobsmacked.