488GTB test drive by current 458 Spider owner

Hello gents,

Ah yes, the moment finally arrived and I got a phone call from our local dealership to tell me that the 488 GTB demo had landed.

To provide you with some context to my impression of the 488GTB, I feel it necessary to briefly explain my car ownership history. I've owned a 997.2 GT3, F430 spider and I presently own a 458 Spider - all cars with lovely N/A motors, linear power delivery and instant throttle response. It is also worth mentioning that I live at an altitude of 1700m (5500ft) above sea level, meaning N/A motors here produce around 17% less power than they do at sea level. This obviously exaggerates the difference in the relative performance of N/A cars and turbo cars.


I arrived at the showroom floor, where I needed to consciously stop myself from skipping over to it like a 10 yr old little girl. See photo below (with the legendary Paul Moni, one of our local sales execs, standing next to the car). Mindful of the extensive debate that has already taken place on this forum around the pros and cons of the new turbo motor when compared to the 458, I present to you a condensed version of my experience:


Sitting in the 488 is an immediately familiar experience. This really is a 458 v2 aesthetically speaking, and this is a good thing.


1.) The motor / engine noise is noticeably different from the moment you start the car. It IS more muted, and more "gruff" with a subtle turbo whine.


2.) Starting off, the low-end torque is the most noticeable difference. You guys will know the feeling when you're driving your 458 in 3rd at 3000RPM and you need to accelerate - you drop into 2nd and gun it.

The 488 is obviously different in this regard - there is an abundance of torque available from the very start and this adds a completely new dimension to the character of the car. I like it.


3.) The F1-trac traction control system really shines here, where even with a flat foot there is no wheel spin and the torque levels are perfectly managed to maximise acceleration. This is one aspect of the 458 that has always blown me away, and given the torque it now has it manage, is now even more impressive.

I am sure that those of you who love to play around with CT off will have a blast with the torque on hand at lower revs.


4.) The throttle response is on par with what we're accustomed to. Instant, sharp.


5.) There is no perceivable turbo lag. This is a spectacular motor.


6.) There is no rev limiter at 7500RPM - she revs through to 8000RPM in all 7 gears.


7.) I felt there is a noticeable level of torque limiting in 1st and 2nd. 3rd gear really does feel like warp drive has been engaged. It really is at higher speeds that one starts to appreciate the extra power the 488 has, although this is definitely exaggerated by the fact that I live at a higher altitude.

I suspect the difference won't be as pronounced for most of you living at lower altitudes.


8.) The motor does feel like it runs out of steam towards 8000RPM, and this was no surprise. A turbo motor is a turbo motor. I would say the optimum shifting point is somewhere between 7200RPM - 7500RPM.


9.) The noise. On a scale of 1 - 10, where the 458 is a 10 - the 488 is an 8. Possibly a 7.5. It is not as loud as the 458, nor does it scream like one.

Having said that, the noise still has that unique Ferrari character and I'm certain that an aftermarket back box will unlock a lot of character.


10.) Net net, I love it. I'm going to trade my 458 in on one.
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