2016 Ferrari 488 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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The (horse) power-hungry elite have gotten their way, again. Ferrari has been turbocharged.
The new 2016 Ferrari 488 has two turbos in its all new F154 engine and two trims to chose from--the 488 GTB coupe that replaces the iconic 2010 458 Italia and the 488 Spider that replaces the 2012 458 Spider.
Some old-school Ferrari enthusiasts will howl at the turbocharged revolution, primarily because the new power plant won’t produce the same kind of howl that the outgoing non-turbo, flat-plane, crank-shaft V8 made famous. But the company was determined to deliver more power in this latest version of their iconic mid-rear-engine supercar, and didn’t want to drop efficiency through the floor--or couldn’t, due to Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations. Either way, the answer was turbos.
The new turbocharged engine is a 3.9-liter V8 that produces 661 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque, which is available across the full rev range. All of those numbers are significantly different than those assigned to the 458, which had a 4.5-liter V8 that made 562 horsepower and--here’s the real kicker--398 lb-ft of torque. All that new power will be channeled to the rear wheels of the 488 through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
An increase in torque is always a benefit of turbocharging, while a common negative with the turbos is lag. Ferrari has done its best to answer that problem with titanium-aluminum vanes and other turbo technology, reducing throttle response time to a scant 0.8 seconds. The addition of the turbos has also dropped the redline down from 9,000 RPM to 8,000 and quieted the legendary soundtrack. But Ferrari worked to recreate the engine growl through exhaust headers with longer, equal-length piping and a flat-plane crankshaft. Though it may not duplicate the old howl, the new engine noise can still boil blood.
The increase in power does not mean a decrease in handling, thanks to some other innovations. The mechanics and electronic system are now fully integrated through the SSC2 Side Slip Angle Control System, which Ferrari says creates 12% faster acceleration out of corners and 9% faster response times than the previous 458 models. Essentially, you can push this supercar beyond its limit in a corner and it will just gracefully slide until you reign it in. The 488 is also 23% more rigid that its predecessor thanks to a new spaceframe chassis that uses 11 aluminum alloys and other noble metals such as magnesium.
A new generation of magnetorheological dampers on the 488 improves handling and ride quality over rough patches of road. The springs are still ultra firm, but the SSC2 system can automatically put a little more cushion in the shocks.
The 488 Spider is 110 pounds heavier than the 488 GTB, but Ferrari says both can go from 0-to-60 mph in three seconds flat and from 0-to-124 mph in 8.3 seconds. Top speed for the coupe is 205 mph, while the drop-top comes in at 203.
A look at the rear of both trims reveals other differences. The Spider has a piece of sheet metal covering the engine (as opposed to the sloping rear glass on the GTB), and there are a half dozen heat extractors in the rear of the Spider, along with two flying buttresses behind its seats. The electric glass rear wind stop on the Spider has three settings to help you stay comfortable and get the most out of the engine soundtrack. The retractable hard top folds backward in two overlapping sections in just 14 seconds and rests flush on the engine.
The two trims look identical from the front and side, which is to say they are both sexy, sleek and stunning. The wide-open front air intake and air ducts in the hood are part of the aerodynamic improvements and add a touch of aggressive sophistication to the design, which does take most of its cues from the outgoing 458. The rear is slightly wider to accommodate the new engine and there are also new air inlets incorporated into the rear fenders just behind the door.
Inside, the 488 looks and feels exactly like you’d want a supercar to feel - space-age, high-end and leathery. There’s a new knob to control the infotainment features, which is a welcome addition, as well as a pair of screens--one displays car data such as boost and turbo efficiency gauges and the other gives you all the infotainment particulars.
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2016 Ferrari 488 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: deactivation switch · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Hard Drive: 30GB · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: JBL · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 12 · Watts: 1280
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.7 · Front brake width: 1.4 · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Premium brakes: Brembo · Rear brake diameter: 14.2 · Rear brake width: 1.3 · Rear brakes: carbon ceramic disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Steering wheel trim: alloy
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: passenger
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 5.14 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 5 in. (dual) · Warnings and reminders: low oil pressure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Safety
Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Kit: tire sealant
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: magnetic
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: deactivation switch · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · Hard Drive: 30GB · In-Dash CD: DVD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: JBL · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 12 · Watts: 1280
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.7 · Front brake width: 1.4 · Front brakes: carbon ceramic disc · Premium brakes: Brembo · Rear brake diameter: 14.2 · Rear brake width: 1.3 · Rear brakes: carbon ceramic disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Steering wheel trim: alloy
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: passenger
Driver Seat
Manual adjustments: 4
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 5.14 · Limited slip differential: rear
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 5 in. (dual) · Warnings and reminders: low washer fluid
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: HID · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power · Inside rearview mirror: manual day/night
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 4
Roof
Convertible rear window: glass · Convertible roof: power retractable hard top
Safety
Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: premium leather
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: magnetic
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent