Motoring

The latest V8 turbocharged Ferrari has more speed, better control and greater efficiency, says Michael Stahl.

Feel the need for speed in Ferrari’s latest V8

HOW much drama and excitement can you have driving a car in a straight line for three seconds? Literally a breathtaking amount if that car happens to be Ferrari’s 488 GTB.

From the low-slung driving position, as you grasp the oddly shaped steering wheel, the Ferrari’s wraparound seat barges into your back like a tackle from a front-rower.

The bewildering sensation of having your internal organs bear-hugged is overlaid by the squirming of the rear tyres as they ferret for every grain of grip. A sudden flash of LED light signals the need to upshift; even the simple act of flicking the gear paddle has a sniper-like sense of purpose. In three seconds, you’ve reached 100 kilometres per hour.

There’s nothing unexpected about a Ferrari being fast. But to the Ferrari faithful, the 488 GTB Berlinetta coupé (and the 488 Spider convertible) marks a significant philosophical shift for the Maranello-based brand: a turbocharged V8 engine.

It’s a sign of the times. With turbocharging, a car maker can afford to downsize the engine’s internal capacity. Compared with its non-turbo predecessor (the 4.5-litre 458 Italia), the 488’s engine is only 3.9 litres. When it’s not being driven hard, the smaller engine simply uses less fuel. Indeed, the 488 is, on average, 14 per cent more efficient than the 458 – reducing carbon-dioxide emissions.

At the other extreme of the accelerator pedal’s travel, however, the 488 produces 18 per cent more power and 40 per cent more torque than the 458, which is already acclaimed as a pinnacle of power and efficiency. The accessibility of the engine’s performance is echoed in the supreme confidence of its low, broad chassis and sublime steering.

Little wonder that many of Ferrari’s V8s spend almost as much time being pushed to their limits at regular racing-circuit track days as they do on the road.

Still, a valid measure of this shudderingly fast Ferrari lies in how well it can go slowly. The Manettino switch mounted on its steering wheel accesses a menu of power options that makes the 488 entirely docile in daily traffic. If there’s any coiled anticipation during city driving, it won’t be coming from the Ferrari but from behind the wheel.