The 488 looks sick! Love it! Some great shots in that new video. Can't wait to see this one in person and then - in my garage!
I'm really trying to be open to the new design, but I just can't seem to get over the aftermarket appearence of the side intakes. It's just not growing on me. I'm thinking it still looks horrible.
From the strict criterion of appearance, now that we have seen real-world photos of the 488, both while stationary and in motion, I can honestly say that the side scoops with their splitters are impossible to ignore or minimize. To me, they mar what was otherwise a fairly disciplined effort to revise the 458 body design. I'm not an engineer, and don't claim expertise regarding the cooling needs of a high-performance turbocharged engine, but I think that the stylists dropped the ball on this one. The worst angle, in my opinion, is front-3/4, where the gaping size of the scoop seems impossibly exaggerated. I don't understand how the design was green-lighted by Ferrari, but that's just my personal opinion. Will it sell? Like gangbusters, I'm certain. Fred
Just curious are you ok with the giant scoop on the LaFerrari sides? These too are impossible to ignore or minimize aren't they? LaFerrari: the most extreme performance ever achieved by a Ferrari. Of course everyone has their own opinion on them or the whole design. I happen to love it but beauty is always in the eye of the beholder
By way of comparison watch this you tube promo by Ferrari. Interesting and a way to compare side by side: [ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lO4KQ74r3g[/ame]
As a whole, I think the 488 looks great, and the photos and videos of it in daylight show it to look far more similar to the original factory images, which I loved, than the initial, artificially lighted photos from the factory unveiling, and even some from Geneva, seemed to illustrate. Fortunately, for anyone on this forum who might be discouraged by the fairly high number of posts stating disappointment with the design, I would encourage you to escape this micro-microcosm of car enthusiasts and rabid Ferrari fans (both of which I am, too), and go read the absolute plethora of articles online, and see the assorted YouTube videos, by less biased individuals, who think the 488 is fantastically stunning. You'll then see that those who don't like the design (at least those who have voiced an opinion) are in a distinct minority, and you'll also see why ALL have stated it will sell like crazy!! The rest of the NORMAL world doesn't look at the 488, or any Ferrari for that matter, the way we do. Where we often get lost in the minutiae of the brush stroke style, they are standing back in awe, enjoying the whole painting.
Well said!! I bet you that most the naysayers will be squealing like lil girls once they see it in the flesh.
Imho most Ferrari customers are the micro-microcosom of car enthusiasts as these are very expensive toys and can only be afforded by very few, many of which are on this forum, which happens to be the largest chat site in the world devoted to Fcars. Hence the feedback on this forum is by no means unrepresentative or insignificant: who cares about what the normal world thinks: if you stick a cavallino on a Prius they are bound to rave about it, and, most importantly, they are not customers and most will never have the ability to be. Curious of what the driving reviews will say.. I hope the car does not pass unnoticed as the California T seems to be. By the way they practically share the same engine, which I personally think is ludicrous. best
Same engine but very different specs Cali T - 553 Peak HP and 557 lb-ft torque 488GTB - 660 HP at 8k and 560 lb-ft torque The 488 has 107 more HP (about 20% more). That is fairly significant. The Speciale now pales in comparison with just 398 lb-ft and 597HP.. The 488 has 10% more ponies and a whopping 40% more torque. That is a tremendous amount of torque difference. I love this new engine and for me it will be a big jump in power over my 458. As long as the lag is not significant this car will be a nice leap ahead. I have faith in Ferrari that they would not put this car out with performance issues. If the lag was an issue we would have seen other tricks like electric turbo boosters or a hybrid like LaFerrari for torque fill. Apparently Ferrari felt this uneccessary here.
Lets be honest, even if California T had NA V8, hype about that car would be pretty much the same. Every journalist made proper review, car is very nice and Ferrari will sell ton of those nice and very reliable convertibles. On other hand 488 GTB is another beast. Its pinnacle of Ferrari`s V8 development and I assure you there will be a lot of hype about that car. A lot of reviews, comparison tests, drag races etc. Later, owners impressions will be widely commented (negative or positive) just like we saw when previous mid-engine V8 Ferrari models showed up. I dont see any particular problem in that (V8 - Cali T & 488 GTB share same engine ; V12 - FF & F12 share same engine). Also, I must inform you that 458`s engine was widely shared between various models within Fiat group.
Agree with all on the performance standpoint: will certainly fulfill in the speed and torque depts.; then again I just drove a Nissan GTR and Mac 650S and those have plenty of the aforementioned and wanted to give the cars back after about 30 minutes of driving... Def. not a turbo guy (delayed throttle response ) and I need an epic soundtrack in a supercar: just my subjective opinion.. The 488 will undoubtedly appeal to many, and it should, esp. for those who are into turbo cars. As for me, I get to enjoy my Italia and be a public nuisance until at least around 2019 when the replacement comes, that is if I want one
They are totally trying to avoid letting people hear it and are worried about it. This is the second promotional video in which they are blasting music, and in his case there isn't any car sound at all. Just look at that 458 promo video they made -- first thing you hear is the guy revving the **** out of it.
Ah the good ole days makes me want to take her for a spin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9Br6f_BCVc
[ame]www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLnjw0cliag[/ame] Found this you tube Ferrari promo which is a bit more enlighting regarding its performance and sound:
Just watched the above 2 videos back to back. The 458 sounded a lot louder. Also seems like they were showing the sound all around in the 458 (cabin, outside, car passing). Honestly if you really want it turbo’d you can get the Hennessey HPE700. 738 HP @ 8400 RPM with 532 lb-ft Torque. 0-60 mph 2.8 sec ($60,000 approx). Plus this way you can take it off and now your back to a NA. I still think it doesn’t take much to slap turbos on a car, look at all the kids who slap turbo on to Japanese or American muscle cars. Porsche with their famous turbos still go NA on the Gt3, Gt3 RS, Cayman GT4. There is always turbo lag.
So, does that mean the majority of 458 owners will now stick with what they've got and not want to new kid on the block or its successors? Really? Didn't think so… There will always be a healthy market for the latest and greatest Ferrari - even if it's a Turbo and sounds less epic.
