THE COLOR: The color is new: "Rosso Corsa Metallizzato," which is Ferrari red with what appears to be a touch of orange. It's a $12,500 option.
The 488 isn't a major departure from the 458, seen here. But Ferrari's in-house designers made a few tweaks.
The family of mid-engine Ferrari sports cars, starting with the 308 GTB on the far left and moving through the 348, the 360, and the 458.
Ferrari debuted the 488 for North America in New York last year.
The main design challenge related to the new 3.9-liter turbocharged V8, which required some additional ducting and space for the twin turbos.
This altered the back end, making it more bulbous than the 458. And yes, that is a carbon-fiber diffuser under the tailpipes. You won't need it on the road, but it's nice to have if you ever get an itch for the track.
The front end was also slightly made over to be a bit less fine-lined than the 458 and a bit more in tune with the fascia on the LaFerrari.
THE FRONT END: The front aligns the 488 visually with Ferrari's LaFerrari hypercar.
HOOD SCOOPS: A pair of modest scoops was added to the hood, which conceals not an engine, but rather the 488's "frunk." There's enough room in there for an overnight bag and maybe a cooler of Campari.
THE REAR END: The biggest new detail is on the rear haunch. The deep cut-in that extends through the door-line has been called an homage to the 308. A nice wedge of carbon fiber bisects a gridded intake scallop.
Here's the feature up close.
THE GLORIOUS NEW ENGINE: The engine has eight cylinders, each displacing 488 cubic centimeters — hence the "488" designation. Add that up and you get 3.9 liters. It's all housed beneath a transparent hatch, so you can gaze upon the glory of what Ferrari can do with a motor whenever the urge strikes, which should be often.
The twin-turbo V8 cranks out 661 horsepower, a huge increase over the 458's 570. But the 488 doesn't substantially better the 458's zero-to-60-mph time. Both cars can do a Ferrari-claimed three seconds.
A Ferrari is supposed to be automotive sculpture — as is a Ferrari engine.
The hatch lifts for pure viewing of the 488's throbbing heart.
THE BRAKES: Big Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes all the way around keep a car with a 205-mph top speed under control. They are astonishingly effective.
THE DETAILS: The car knows its name, and there's no lack of carbon fiber, topstitching, and supple red and black leather.
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL: It combines analog and digital features. The two small screens on the left and right can be reconfigured, but front and center is the tachometer — because on a car like this, you want to know exactly what your engine is doing.
THE STEERING WHEEL: The Ferrari "Prancing Stallion" is front and center on the famous Ferrari steering wheel with its Formula One-derived features. The engine start-stop button can't be missed. And the turn signals do take a get a bit of getting used to.
THE MANETTINO: This little red switch controls all the driving modes.
THE TRANSMISSION: "R" for reverse, "Auto" to switch off the full manual mode on the dual-clutch gearbox, and "PS" ("Partenza Sportiva"), a performance-start mode that prevents wheelspin on quick launches.
THE SLOT FOR THE KEY FOB!
THE SEATS: Ferrari-branded and racing-derived — but exceptionally comfortable! They were a real standout feature of the 488.
THE PADDLE SHIFTERS: In carbon fiber, natch — are impeccable. You can rip through the gears with ease.
Check out the video below to learn more about how the car drives.
