Drove the 488 today.. thoughts, photos and videos

I forgot: thank you very much for all your 488 GTB feedback, interesting to read!

 

uh, also such a feedback what I really don't need (pls don't forget, it's a chat site).

Let me summarize my point: The 458 ist round about 5 years in the market. I guess we all have driven this masterpiece. I guess we all know its attributes and advantages. And yes, the 458 Speciale is the best mid engine NA-supersportscar in the world (together with the Scud, of course, just my personal opinion ). But I know now this car, I know how it drives and how it sounds, I know about its redline at 9000 rpm's. In the meanwhile to read all this stuff is getting boring!

Now a new book has been opened. We have the possibility to enjoy a new Ferrari with a complete new engine concept with a completely new power/torque characteristics, completely different to drive in comparison with EACH NA-driven car. Now this is what I expect in a 488 GTB thread, experiences in detail about this new concept, about this new car. And this, if possible, with an open and "Ferrari"-minded perspective.

Yep, all the general chatter about the 458 bores me in this thread. For that there are hundreds of other threads...

 

Even Speciale start to look dated

http://2.firepic.org/2/images/2015-07/22/hl3i0nigj5pk.jpg

http://2.firepic.org/2/images/2015-07/22/rfi9zqw53ug6.jpg

http://2.firepic.org/2/images/2015-07/22/qhwdem3ja8uh.jpg

 

This is exactly what I've been thinking. One thing is whether it's possible to use peak hp. But I would certainly think it's possible to have a lot of fun with the mid range torque.

And fort those of us who can enjoy the de-restricted Autobahn on occasion or weekly, the peak power is certainly usable and a selling point.

As for looks, I don't mind the side scoops, and I really like the front and rear end. I like the rear of the 458 too, but I never really thought the front bumper/mouth did much for me. To me, it lacks a bit of "excitement".

 

Disagree that Speciale looks dated... But agree that the 488 looks very good in these photos, especially the third. Looks much better than the metallic black one that I saw last week.

 

Thanks a lot for the feed back Mitchell.
Just a question,could you give me your acceleration feeling just after 6000 trs ? exponential until 8000 trs ?

 

The Speciale looks 'overworked'. Looks like the brief was "Make the 458 look more aggressive." and the response was, "O.K, let's add a bit here and a fin there and a slat there and a scoop here and a..."

 

+1 you are right

 

Dated? In which way?

Imho if I told a person that knows nothing about Fcars that the one on the left
is the newer model she/he would probably believe me.

 

I'll start this post by saying it is NOT my intention to troll anyone or upset owners of any cars I seem to disparage here. I'm just expressing my opinion.

I remember being DEVASTATED when I first drove the 458. I cannot believe that some of you consider THAT to be a visceral aggressive car. Although dynamically outstanding, I find it a total cruiser by Ferrari standards. Cosseting, comfortable, quiet (the exhaust note standard is pathetic TBH) and rather anodyne.
Time hasn't softened my opinion. The car still looks great though.

Now if 488 drivers consider the old 458 to be sensory and exciting (!!) well then I'll stay well clear of my allocation. Good grief.

No wonder F355 values have doubled in the last 12 months in the UK and continue to do so.

 

+1000

 

Each new Ferrari models are less and less visceral, it's like that, this is called the progress

The pleasure of the 488 is in the torque, the power and the comfort, perfect for long trip and daily use

 

This may illustrate the difference.
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Not very likely.

 

... This coming from a person who didn't know the difference between a turbo charger and a super charger....

I could make some statements about the fact that the Speciale has an over the top compression ratio of 14:1 which likely necessitates some of the scoops, etc.... But you probably don't know what a compression ratio is either, so I'm not even going to waste the keystrokes

 

As someone who's seen the 488 in person up close, I can assure you no one would think the 458 is the newer car.

 

I don't think we should attack each other too harshly. If someone does or doesn't know everything, they are still entitled to their opinion- especially when it involves the styling of the vehicles.

It took me some time to warm up to the 458, then the Speciale, and now to the 488. Thats just me.

I also thought the 458 was a bit of a cruiser at first, then I really drove one, not just putting around in a friends car. I was really impressed. Its a car where the rough edges are rounded off until you get to around 6/10ths type driving. Whereas the Scud is a car where the rough edges are right there center stage even at 1/10th. I love both cars for different reasons. I haven't driven the Speciale yet but I'm told they are a little bit more livable than the Scud.

And lets face it, where could they realistically go from the 458. They climbed that mountain. Now its a new mountain to climb. The turbo will give new opportunities- like that mid range punch.

I really appreciate everyone's insights and interesting comments. Thank you.

 

Well said. It took me a while to really appreciate the 458. Once you get intimate with it and really drive it the way its supposed to be driven, it continues to deliver. If the 488 surpasses that feeling I get when I drive the 458 I'll be all over it like a cheap shirt.

 

It looks a bit like they didn't coordinate or integrate some of the changes very well. For one... the vents that next to the vents on the light assembly look a bit odd to me as does having the new prancing horse on the front spoiler and then right above it, retaining the yellow prancing horse. These are just two things that jumped out at me from the get-go.

Obviously just nit-picky things if you wanna point fingers at something.

 

After I put my 360 away today, after an exhilarating drive, with wonderful noise, I read this entire thread! The evolution of 'mass produced' Ferrari cars since 1999 is undeniable, both aesthetically and mechanically! After looking at the picture I put together, I appreciate the old and the new.... The sharp, and curved lines of the 488....and the soft, curvy lines of my 360! All are a blast to drive, and I am appreciative to be part of this brand!
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I think the 488 looks much better in the front,

However on the side the 458 flows cleaner,
and the rear is no comparison 458 looks much better... 488 seems like the rear is not wide enough maybe its designed because its probably the same dimensions

and if course dont like whats under the glass hood

pic:

https://instagram.com/p/5AYUqQiEJQ/

 

After reading comments on last few pages I can see that car industry have huge power to channel people`s emotions in direction they want. Since people accept so easily that one of main Ferrari`s characteristics is gone (screaming sound) I wont be surprised seeing thrilled comments about new (amazingly silent) all-electric Ferrari in near future.

 

Which is funny because these are the same people who bashed mclaren who made a super fast car that sounds like crap because of the twin turbo and called them cheating.

That's why some people are just "fanboys"