Test Drove the 488 Today. Cancelled my Order, Sticking to my 458

Agreed.

Production of Maserati engines - whether 1 or 1 million - does not affect Ferrari's "compliance" since they do not ship in their end product cars. However, it does create a good revenue business that leverages their already-in-place investments, so good use of capital. The move to 3.9 also solves a "pricing" issue, where in some countries added taxes for 4.0+ engines are so punitive as to essentially limit their market.

Flipping it around, working "inside the family" should help Maserati given their original growth objectives.

They could theoretically make more V12 engines for marine use (as one example), if someone was willing to buy them. Ferrari only makes passenger cars; other makes (Fiat, GM, Ford, Renault, Caterpillar, etc etc) make passenger, truck, heavy truck, etc engines and platforms, each segment has their own mix of regulatory (emissions, economy, tax) hurdles and end-market practicalities.

 

Lamborghini makes boat engines but never a big business. I'm perosnally not too concerned about public shareholders and worldwide restrictions. That's just how things go and you either live with it or die as many susbscale car producers already did. Andreas Preuninger from Porsche division already admitted their 4.0 liter naturally aspirated engine producing 500hp is as far as they can go with NA. So we may have reached a tipping point where regulation meets max output on the curve anyway. So now they'll all go turbo and slowly jack up the horsepower with each iteration. None of this is truly revolutionary. There was another thread on here about the future of automobiles and I thought it was interesting. That being said, gents, hold on to your NA engines. I feel the cars being produced recently plus maybe a handful more select models over the coming few years will be among the last pure NA generations.

 

I think turbos are only going to be around for a short period of time. The future is hybrid! We will see performance, excitement and affordability as technology marches on..

 

Funny but I don't recall hearing many people talk about how the Bugatti Veyron lacks a soul or feels boring despite its turbo charged engine.. I love my 911 TTS and can't wait for my 488 delivery in a few months.

 

Really? I think there are a ton of Veyron haters. Have you ever read the comment section of a Veyron YouTube video.

 

It does lack soul. It just goes stupid fast which apparently is what Ferrari thinks its customers want.

 

Ha. Have you ever had the opportunity to drive one? I have and I would never have classified it as a soulless or boring/non emotional experience.

 

Now that's exactly the way I feel. Tired of all the negativity. Absolutely love my Porsche TTS and can't wait for my 488 GTB. BTW, absolutely love my BMW i3 too. Just feel blessed to have the opportunity to enjoy the Magic of all these great cars!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!!

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all as well! As far as being tired of the negativity, read the OP's post. He had a thorough go with the car at a Ferrari event even with a Ferrara driver and then gave it a day to decide and canceled the order. I read it as being very honest.

 

Totally understand my friend. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I wish more felt exactly like the OP feels. Then I would'nt have to be in pain waiting in a list of thousand who want the new 488. As, example, I had an e92 BMW M3 and held onto it until 2 months ago. It was an incredible car. Loved all 5 years of owning it. My son bought a new M4 and after driving it and racing it, I just said screw it and sold my M3 and accepted that fact the technology moves on. Same with my Porsche 911 Turbo S. Every friend I have wants to sell their 997 for a new 991. Things just move on.

You know what they say, different strokes for different folks. My 458 was my absolutely favorite car of all time. I may never love a car as much. We'll see. Time will tell.

 

LOL Cosmos Black here

 

Thank you

 

You don't need to rev that high on a turbocharged car. That would make the car perform slower. Over 7,500 rpm basically is a fake rev. And the car just won't scream even you could rev to 15,000 rpm. Because the turbo is actually the best muffler.

 

488 is a particular turbochaged car

The boost has been decreased in the low gears and rpm to immitate NA engine character

Usually FI engine, the boost is increased in low gears and low rmp like the 991tts (overboost feature)

This is transition for Ferrari i think

The 488 speciale or next gen of the 488, will be a true turbo with high boost in low gear and rpm

 

My 2011 sounds amazing. Screams, pops and burbles on the overrun, sometimes the overrun almost sounds like gun fire! My friend's 2013 is much quieter.
When getting service on my car I told the service manager to not update ecu as has been mentioned here numerous times...he laughed and said, "you've been on fchat." Told me there was no software update on my 2011 that would affect exhaust sound, it's bunk.

 

My mechanic told me the same, i think the mufflers are differents

 

That is great that your preserve the software! What spec is your car?

The software update is indeed a fact. Got it confirmed by the head sound engineer of the 458 and multiple other, very credible sources.

 

It is the fuel mapping. Earlier cars run a little richer.

 

Have driven the veyron as well. Convertible and coupe. It is stupidly fast but when driving it it felt as smooth as an Mercedes SL 550. Total lack of soul imho. Would not mind owning one but I can get a lot more thrill from a 360 CS

 

The OPs comments actually have me thinking about ordering a 488. I have the 360 for that raw, racy, loud, Italian, once-a-week thrill...488 sounds like it would make a decent daily and tourer.

 

I agree it's surprisingly smooth but I've driven both coupe and targa versions and the targa was pretty horny sounding! The sucking and popping were positively pornographic! And the speed...hard to not be excited by the sheer force of the thing and it has pleasant on-road dynamics. Like a 1000-hp Audi R8.

I didn't find it soulless...just refined. Had the pleasure of driving the coupe at just over 320km/h (GPS verified) and that was pretty thrilling on somewhat questionable Italian highways...

 

If it makes peak power at 8000 how is anything over 7500 a 'fake rev'?

All turbo cars are not created equal, it doesn't necessarily need to have a lower rpm range.

As far as the sound, I agree.

 

I too sold a Porsche Turbo S for the same reasons. A great car, fast and technologically impressive, but like the Aston Martin and Lamborghini, somehow, doesn't do it for me.

I considered replacing my 458, but from what I have seen and heard, felt the 488 is different but not better (for me). Your write up validates my impressions, and is appreciated. I have yet to tire of and truly enjoy the 458.The "sound" of a 458 is hard to beat. Incidentally, I replaced the Porsche with a Corvette Z 06, and could not be happier. Best