As Ferrari’s->ke252 newest and freshest supercar->ke177, the 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB certainly has a lot to live up to. Not only is it entering the market in the shadow of the popular Ferrari 458->ke3479, it’s also coming in with the objective of taking on the likes of the Lamborghini Huracan->ke4345 and the McLaren 650S->ke4801. By and large, the 488 GTB->ke5071 can hold its own against its two rivals. But, when it comes to the aftermarket scene where the phrase “no-holds-barred” usually carries a lot of weight, the 488 GTB has a pretty good tuner in its corner in the name of xXx Performance.

The Germany aftermarket company has just presented an eye-popping program for the 488 GTB that comes with a haymaker’s worth of performance upgrades. Sure, the program also has an aero kit, new wheels, and some suspension modifications, but for the most part, this program is all about giving this Prancing Horse more horses to play with. In total, there are three performance kits available for the 488 GTB, each coming with improved output of the supercar’s new 3.9-liter turbocharged V-8 engine.

Without spoiling what lies ahead, I’m only going to say that the most extreme of these three kits gives the 488 GTB more horsepower than the Ferrari LaFerrari->ke4626. That should be something to think about if you’re an owner of the 488 and you’re looking for a performance upgrade that’s worth your time. Let’s just say that you might want to give xXx Performance a call.

Continue reading to learn more about the Ferrari 488 GTB By xXx Performance.

2016 Ferrari 488 GTB By xXx Performance

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Ferrari 488 GTB By xXx Performance
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Pros
Cons

Exterior

The engine upgrade may be the unquestioned highlight of this program, but xXx Performance also took time to sharpen the 488 GTB’s aerodynamic qualities. The tuner added carbon fiber components, specifically the front spoiler, side skirts, and the rear diffuser. Modified exterior mirrors and the air vents just beside the rear lights provide an extra splash of excitement to the supercar’s exciting looks. Even those tail lights, as well as the side markers and the rear fog lamp, have all been replaced with shaded versions to add to the car’s exclusivity.

Finishing off the exterior update on the 488 GTB is a new set of Vossen VPS-315T wheels, measuring 21x9.0 at the front and 21x12.5 inches at the back. The forged wheels are shod with 245/30ZR21 and 325/35ZR21 rubber tires.

Interior

Since there are no interior modifications to speak of, owners will have to settle for the 488 GTB’s clean and refined cabin. That might not sit well with those looking for a little more activity, but there are interiors that still benefit if they’re kept in their standard configurations. The 488 GTB’s cabin is one of them.

Drivetrain

As muted as the exterior and interior modifications appear to be, the improvements xXx Performance gave the 488 GTB’s 3.9-liter turbocharged V-8 engine are anything but subtle. Three stages of upgrades have been prepared, all following the usual three-pronged modification approach on the ECU, intake, and exhaust system.

The Stage 1 kit sees the car’s output improve from 660 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque to 750 horsepower and 612 pound-feet of torque. If that’s not enough, xXx Performance’s Stage 2 kit can produce as much as 850 horsepower and 686 pound-feet of torque while the Stage 3 kit is good for an incredible 1,000 horsepower and 922 pound-feet of torque.

xXx Performance didn’t say how these upgrades would improve the 488 GTB’s performance numbers. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the new Ferrari supercar sprint from 0-to-62 mph in just two seconds with that Stage 3 kit in tow. Top speed could also reach as high as 220 mph with this upgrade. That would make the tuned 488 GTB a second faster in a 0-to-62 mph sprint compared to the standard 488 GTB. Top speed would also be 15 mph faster than the standard version.

Safety

Any car that gets this amount of work on the engine is going to need some modifications on the chassis and suspension to be able to handle the increased power. xXx Performance did just that by installing a specially calibrated set of springs that have been designed for use with the factory active dampers. These springs are capable of lowering the ride height by 1.37 inches. As an alternate option, the tuner is also offering a coilover with adjustable suspension.

The tuning shop also fitted a hydraulic lift system for both axles, allowing a driver to increase ground clearance any time so the car can be configured to perform seamlessly in less than ideal roads.

Prices

Pricing numbers have yet to be made public, although as per usual when it comes to xXx Performance, anybody who's interested in the program are better off inquiring about them directly to the German tuner.

Competition

Lamborghini Huracan by xXx Performance

This is a special treat because I not only am presenting a tuning program for a direct competitor, but it’s a program built by the same tuning shop: xXx Performance.

Back in October 2014, the German tuning firm presented its racy performance program for the Lamborghini Huracan->ke4345. In place of the absence of any pertinent aerodynamic upgrades, the Huracan received a pretty fancy cosmetic upgrade in the form of a Chrome Lime Matte foil body wrap. The other notable update is a bespoke set of 20- and 21-inch Oxford 4 one-piece forged alloy wheels with a specially milled front polish finish added in for good measure. The wheels are then wrapped in 245/30R20 and 325/25R21 low profile tires.

Under the hood, the Huracan’s 5.2-liter V-10 engine received an upgrade of its own. It’s not as extensive as the three-stage kit for the 488 GTB, but the ECU remap and the subsequent additions of a new air intake and a sound flap control stainless steel sport exhaust to help reduce back pressure help the Huracan improve its output numbers from 610 horsepower and 473 pound-feet of torque to 690 ponies and 480 pound-feet of twist.

Read ore about the Lamborghini Huracan by XXx Performance here.

Lamborghini Huracan LP850-4 Lucifero by Wheelsandmore

Since the Ferrari 488 GTB is still so refreshingly new, it’s not surprising to see Lamborghini’s->ke44 equivalent already having a leg up on the number of programs it has at its disposal. One of the first tuners to get its hands on the Huracan is Wheelsandmore, a highly regarded aftermarket shop that’s considered as one of the best in the business in Europe.

The German tuner is known for its tendency to be a little on the racy side when it comes to its programs. Just like xXx Performance, Wheelsandmore prepared three power upgrades for the Huracan, beginning with the first stage upgrade that brings the output up to 640 horsepower. The next stage drops 777 horsepower, thanks to the addition of a compressor kit. Last but not least is the third stage kit, which is good for 850 ponies courtesy of a more in-depth engine modification.

A new set of 20- and 21-inch, race-inspired FIWE wheels round out Wheelsandmore’s kit for the Huracan.

Read more about the 2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP850-4 Lucifero by Wheelsandmore here.

Conclusion

This is probably one of the first high-profile programs for the Ferrari 488 GTB. If it is, then xXx Performance set the bar really high. I actually agree with the tuner’s decision to keep the exterior and interior modifications to a minimum. Doing so doesn’t ruin the incredible design of the 488 and keeps it about as purely Ferrari as it can get.

The tuner’s intention to focus on the engine upgrade is a stroke of genius, especially considering the kind of competition the supercar has in its segment. The Huracan is just one of them, but there’s also the McLaren 650S, an equally potent exotic that can match wits with the 488 GTB. Having these upgrades, especially that incredible Stage 3 kit, essentially puts the 488 in an enviable position of being one of the fastest and most powerful cars in the market.