Drove the 488 today.. thoughts, photos and videos

this reflects exactly how i feel. i have oscillated between part exchanging my 458 for the speciale to the 488 but now i am focusing on getting a slot for the F12 VS. if that fails i am back to square 1....
cheers p
ps: the 488 i test-drove at the hungaroring also shortshifted. the instructor said that the final production car won't do that. we shall see..

 

Can you still get a new Speciale ?

 

I have not driven the 488 yet, will next month. But I have driven the 458 and F12, and I own a Speciale. I think Mitchell's assessment is spot-on, I agree. If going on pure sound, the F12 wins. But it's big, heavy, traction is limited. It's a GT. I have more fun with mid-engine, lighter cars, which brings us to the 458 or Speciale. I love both. But the Speciale just brings an added element of visceral and visual excitement over the 458. I actually don't think it outperforms the 458, which again mirrors what Mitchell has confirmed. But it just brings that "something extra" in terms of excitement.

I actually don't think the 488 engine sounds too bad... EXCEPT for that turbo "whirring" sound.... Oh Lord I hate it. If I could/can get over that, maybe I'll warm up to the 488, because the performance it brings sounds interesting. That being said, even if I did, I still wouldn't sell my Speciale... As the name accurately indicates, it really is something special.

 

yes, i have to decide before ferragosto.

 

The turbo sound is not that annoying in person.

 

that is why i thought the F12 VS will be the best 'compromise'.....12 cylinder sound, 'special' interior and driver-car connection and more traction due to the elimination of body roll and tighter chassis.

 

Do it. If you don't, you will regret it. Trust me.

 

I didn't know they were still producing them after factory's holiday.

 

well, yes but before i want ferrari to tell me first whether they sell me an F12 VS. i am not often enough in one place to make sense of having two cars.

 

I agree with your logic. I haven't been keeping up with the info on that... What is expected price point and date of availability? I've already spoken with my dealers in the US, and it sounds like I would have a very difficult time getting one.

 

short production run in september

 

400K euros incl. VAT in germany, early Q2 2016 delivery. my chances of getting one are low as well but there are some...

 

I will be in the factory on 4. September. Let me know if you end up going with the Speciale... I'll look for it on the line.

 

Just make sure that you don't wait for the F12 VS, miss it, and then miss the Speciale as well. That would not be good.

 

That's interesting. Guess the demand is high.

 

will do, thanks.
peter

 

You need to be an owner for 2 v12s in the past 5 years.

 

I think every Ferrari should be a step up from its predecessor. And, the 458 will surely be in power and performance.

But it just seems like one giant step back from being a Ferrari in favor of being... well, a Mercedes.

The 7500 rev limiter is a huge step back. The sound is a step back. The ride is a step back.

Ferrari... just who are you listening to?

 

Well, for one, the government. It's the upcoming mandates that I believe are a big driver behind the smaller displacement, turbo engines...

 

Sorry I disagree. How can they make the F12 with a screaming 8500 RPM V-12 and not a non-turbo 488?

If that is the case, we've seen the last V12 Ferrari will make.

 

basically yes but there are other criteria as well, which sometimes override what you said.
it may work and it may not.
cheers peter

 

The next version of the F12 will likely have a V12 in combination with hybrid technology that helps get closer to the govt mandates, similar to the LaF, but let's see...

 

This period reminds me of the early 80's were the cars got worse instead of better for a few years.

But Ferrari seems to have lost it's mojo and is concentrating instead on numbers over driving experience. IMO, a big mistake.

If we want a Mercedes, we will buy a Mercedes. If we want a McLaren, we'll buy a McLaren.

 

Thanks so much for the detailed feedback and great footage!

This confirms many of the feelings I had about the car, even if not having
driven it yet.

(whisper) hold on to your Italias and Speciales..