Mid-engined supercar replaces 488 GTB with 720hp of power to essentially level the race with the Lamborghini Huracan Evo and McLaren 720S.
Is this all-new?
These are the first official pictures of the Ferrari F8 Tributo which is expected to be one of the highlights at the Geneva motor show next week.
Ferrari says the F8 Tributo replaces the 488 GTB. Although the proportions and some cues like the window line and mirrors are familiar, most of the body work in the F8 Tributo are new.
Four circular tail lights make a welcome return to Ferrari’s V8 mid-engined supercar. The resurfacing of the skin, done mainly in the interest of aerodynamics, has made the F8 Tributo 10% more efficient than in the 488 GTB.
Ferrari also claims that, despite the longer and wider body, the F8 Tributo is 40kg lighter than its predecessor.
The cabin looks familiar, as well, but has been redesigned to accommodate round air-con vents like in the 812 Superfast. The steering wheel is said to be smaller in diameter enhancing quickness and agility of the car.
Is the engine from the Pista?
Like the aerodynamics, the F8 Tributo has lessons learnt from the 488 Pista in the engine department.
The 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8, mated to seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, produces 720hp in the F8 Tributo. That’s the same with the 488 Pista and 50hp more than in the 488 GTB.
As a result, the F8 Tributo goes from 0-100kph in 2.9sec. Although that’s the same as in the 488 Pista, the F8 Tributo is 0.2sec slower from 0-200kph, at 7.8sec. The respective times of the 488 GTB are 3.0sec and 8.3sec.
Why has Ferrari only chosen to level the race with rivals?
Making supercars go faster these days is becoming increasingly difficult. After all, what we’re talking about here are seriously quick cars with sub-3.0sec 0-100kph acceleration times.
The 720hp McLaren 720S has exactly the same sprint records as the F8 Tributo, but its 341kph top speed beats that of the Ferrari by 1kph. Whether that matters is for you to decide.
The Lamborghini Huracan Evo, armed with 640hp and all-wheel-drive, ties its rear-drive opponents in the 0-100kph race but is considerably slower from 0-200kph, at 9.0sec. The 325kph top end is less, as well.
In one way or the other, this 25 million baht corner of the supercar market is experiencing more intense competition than ever.
In the typical fashion of Ferrari, expect first deliveries of the F8 Tributo to take place in around a year.
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