The 2019 Geneva International Motor Show signals a changing of the Piloti-heeled guard at Ferrari, whose midrange 488 GTB supercar motors into the Maranello sunset to make way for the all-new F8 Tributo. Like the 488, the Tributo seats two and employs a twin-turbo V-8, which now cranks out the equivalent of 710 horsepower and 568 pounds-feet of torque. That's similar torque but another 50 hp over what the 488 GTB brought to the party.
And a party this should be. Ferrari calls the Tributo "a celebration of excellence" and "an homage to the most powerful V-8 in Ferrari history" outside of its special-series cars. Tucked behind the front seats, the V-8 still displaces just 3.9 liters but powers a car that's 88 pounds lighter and 10 percent more aerodynamic, Ferrari says. En route to a top speed of 211 mph, the F8 Tributo hits 62 mph in less than three seconds, Ferrari says.
The automaker promises "very usable" power with the latest iteration of its Side Slip Angle Control to aid acceleration out of a corner. In the same vein, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer system, carried over from the 2018 488 Pista, is now available in the car's Race mode — not just CT-Off mode, as before — to improve the car's predictability when you get sideways. Pista-derived aerodynamic enhancements include an S-Duct, which sends air from the bumper intake out through a hood vent to create downforce over the front axle; the duct alone increases downforce 15 percent versus the 488 GTB, Ferrari claims. Restyled headlights are smaller to enable additional brake-cooling vents, while tweaks to the tail spoiler increase rear downforce.
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Inside, the F8 Tributo gets a smaller steering wheel and redesigned elements. The 488 GTB's wedge-shaped dashboard remains, but many components — including the air vents and most controls — are new. The driver has displays to either side of a large tachometer, while the passenger gets a thin 7-inch touchscreen with navigation and media information tucked into the outboard side of the dash.
It's unclear how many Tributo examples will make it stateside or how much they'll cost. But given the 488 GTB ran upwards of a quarter-million dollars, it's a safe bet the F8 will run at least as much.
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