Although it is not the first time that Ferrari->ke252 introduced a twin-turbocharged V-8, probably none before it created so many waves as the engine in the 488 GTB. With 0.6 liter less displacement than the screaming 4.5-liter V-8 in its predecessor, the new twin-turbo V-8 in the 488 GTB is a downright monster from just about every angle. Yours truly is not very fond of the more muffled exhaust sound compared with the high-revving V-8 in the 458 Italia,->ke3479 but I can certainly appreciate the engineering behind the new powerplant.
With an output of 661 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque, sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission, it is clearly an improvement in performance. It also features much improved fuel economy – which is actually the whole idea behind a turbocharged Ferrari nowadays. Even though it is turbocharged, the 3.9-liter V-8 reaches peak power at a stratospheric 8,000 rpm, while Ferrari brags that the response time to the accelerator pedal is only 0.8 seconds at 2,000 rpm. If that isn't impressive I don't know what is.
Not only that, but Maranello engineers have created a different torque mapping for each of the seven gears in the transmission, so the optimal amount of power reaches the pavement when needed. The footage above will not give you any extra information about the 488 GTB or its engine, but it should be interesting to see just how many people were looking forward to the model's launch at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.->ke228