From the Geneva Motor Show Floor: The Ferrari Chapter | Ferrari

Ferrari

Geneva International Motor Show 2015

From the Geneva Motor Show: Ferrari

Many brands place significant importance on announcements made at the Geneva show. Ferrari is one of them, and this year saw the debut of the "488 GTB," the successor to the V8 mid-ship sports car "458 Italia." Where is Ferrari headed after the departure of Luca di Montezemolo? Tatsuya Otani reports from the presentation venue.

Text by OTANI Tatsuya

A New Era for Ferrari

In 2013, Ferrari unveiled the LaFerrari", and in 2014, the " California T" at the Geneva Motor Show. True to tradition, Ferrari once again chose this venue to give the world its premiere of the "488 GTB", a model expected to become the company's flagship.

However, the atmosphere at the press conference felt slightly different from previous years. Last September, former Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, who used to command the spotlight on stage, stepped down. This year, CEO Amedeo Felisa took the podium to deliver the presentation.

Ferrari 488 GTB

His delivery was rather subdued, a stark contrast to the dramatic oratory style favored by Mr. di Montezemolo. It was also unusual that the new Chairman, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Group, remained largely out of the spotlight during the presentation.

Consequently, the overall mood of the press conference was quieter and more composed. This might have been Marchionne's intention, or perhaps a reflection of confidence that the car's merits would speak for themselves without the need for grand pronouncements.

Regardless, the departure of Luca di Montezemolo undeniably marked the beginning of a new era for Ferrari, a fact made clear at this year's Geneva Motor Show.

Ferrari

Geneva International Motor Show 2015

From the Geneva Motor Show: Ferrari (Part 2)

Distinctly Ferrari

The core of the matter, the 488 GTB, features a newly designed V8 direct-injection turbo engine, derived from the California T. Its stroke has been extended by 1mm to 83mm, and combined with a bore of 86.5mm, it achieves a displacement of 3,902cc (compared to the California T's 3,855cc). It produces a maximum output of 670ps at 8,000rpm and peak torque of 760Nm at 3,000rpm. Like its predecessor, the 458, the engine is mid-mounted.

For Ferrari, a brand that has long championed the appeal of naturally aspirated multi-cylinder engines, the introduction of a turbo engine, typically associated with slower response times, might raise questions. However, Ferrari has achieved excellent responsiveness through measures like weight reduction and the adoption of twin-scroll turbochargers, also seen in the California T.

Ferrari 488 GTB

It takes just 0.8 seconds to reach 80 percent of its maximum torque from 2,000rpm in third gear, a feat Ferrari calls "zero turbo lag." The fact that it achieves maximum power at a high 8,000rpm, unusual for a turbo engine, is also a testament to Ferrari's engineering prowess.

As a result, aided by refined aerodynamics and a lightweight body of 1,475kg, the 488 GTB boasts blistering acceleration: 0-100km/h in 3.0 seconds and 0-200km/h in 8.3 seconds.

While the exterior largely inherits the image of the previous 458 Italia, it features a large air intake just before the rear fenders, a characteristic of turbo models, which serves as a visual highlight. Orders for the 488 GTB have already begun in Japan, with deliveries expected to commence as early as the end of the year.