GTO moniker could return to Ferrari ala 488
04-28-17, 10:16 AM
#1
GTO moniker could return to Ferrari ala 488
Hardcore Ferrari 488 GTO to rival Porsche 911 GT2, McLaren 720S
Harder version of 488 GTB is under development with an anticipated 700bhp, making it a natural rival to Stuttgart's upcoming 911 model
As a track-focused version of the 488 GTB, the 488 GTO, as it is expected to be called, will essentially be a replacement to the discontinued 458 Speciale, a car widely regarded as the best track-focused Ferrari to date.
The 488 GTO will build on the proven platform of the 488 with extra power, more focused chassis settings and a lightened structure to offer scintillating performance to rival the upcoming Porsche 911 GT2.
The 488’s twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 engine will be boosted with increased pressure and internal modifications to produce an anticipated 700bhp, with torque also increasing substantially on the standard car’s 561lb ft.
Ferrari will remove non-essential parts from the interior and sound deadening from its engine bay, as well as fitting lightweight parts such as thinner glass for the windscreen and side windows, lighter ceramic brakes and forged wheels – as with the 458 Speciale.
This should bring the 488 GTO's kerbweight down below 1400kg, enabling exhilarating on-track performance that’ll include a 0-62mph sprint time of little more than 2.7sec and a 0-124mph dash of about 7.5sec. With those stats, not even the McLaren 720S would be able to keep up.
The 488 GTO will also get new software for its Side Slip Angle Control and bodywork that works the air more aggressively, generating more downforce.
Ferrari has refrained from commenting on the model, but a recent sighting of a 488 test car suggests development has moved onto public roads. This ties in with a schedule for a car that’s due to be released in 2018 – which is when our sources expect the 488 GTO to go on sale.
Due to the car’s hardcore nature and reduced production numbers, prices will increase significantly over the 488 GTB. An entry-level figure of over £215,000 is possible.
The 488 GTO’s name follows a trend first set by the 288 GTO, which arrived in 1984 as a harder version of the 308 GTB.
The 488 GTO will build on the proven platform of the 488 with extra power, more focused chassis settings and a lightened structure to offer scintillating performance to rival the upcoming Porsche 911 GT2.
The 488’s twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 engine will be boosted with increased pressure and internal modifications to produce an anticipated 700bhp, with torque also increasing substantially on the standard car’s 561lb ft.
Ferrari will remove non-essential parts from the interior and sound deadening from its engine bay, as well as fitting lightweight parts such as thinner glass for the windscreen and side windows, lighter ceramic brakes and forged wheels – as with the 458 Speciale.
This should bring the 488 GTO's kerbweight down below 1400kg, enabling exhilarating on-track performance that’ll include a 0-62mph sprint time of little more than 2.7sec and a 0-124mph dash of about 7.5sec. With those stats, not even the McLaren 720S would be able to keep up.
The 488 GTO will also get new software for its Side Slip Angle Control and bodywork that works the air more aggressively, generating more downforce.
Ferrari has refrained from commenting on the model, but a recent sighting of a 488 test car suggests development has moved onto public roads. This ties in with a schedule for a car that’s due to be released in 2018 – which is when our sources expect the 488 GTO to go on sale.
Due to the car’s hardcore nature and reduced production numbers, prices will increase significantly over the 488 GTB. An entry-level figure of over £215,000 is possible.
The 488 GTO’s name follows a trend first set by the 288 GTO, which arrived in 1984 as a harder version of the 308 GTB.
04-29-17, 03:06 AM
#2
Very cool!
The article's author, though, isn't giving enough credit to the 1984-85 288 GTO. It only used the 308 GTB chassis as a basis for what it was and was practically another car entirely including its engine and transaxle layout and wheelbase. Their bodies are most closely related to the 308's but their drivetrains are extremely similar to those in the F40. They were purpose built for Group B racing homologation.
I'm in no position to dabble in Ferraris myself but the last GTO model they released wasn't more than a worked over version of the 599 GTB and not an actual racing series homologation model (unless I'm very mistaken). The recent F12 TDF actually reminded me of the beautiful visual aesthetic of the 288 GTO a bit. Technically it was interesting also with their own take on a 4WS system.
I think that's the tone that was set by the 1985 288 GTO: with or without a technology focused racing series to homologate with a limited run of hand made cars, the moniker "GTO" under Ferrari from then on represented a technological tour de force race car for the road. It could be argued that the F40 was the barely legal absolutely no-frills evolution of that.
The projected performance numbers for this car will be very impressive but I guess I also expect Ferrari to not just work over one of their existing cars when they dub it with "GTO". I expect them to frankenstein one of their cars or do a new chassis that not only does highly impressive performance numbers but also pushes the technological envelope a bit.
Or perhaps Ferrari feels the real meaning of "GTO" for them is more in line with the purely stripped down and streamlined philosophy of the 250 GTO's. Two totally different directions to take a very limited type of track focused model. I can say for myself the relevant-to-1985 technological wonder that the 288 GTO was is the bigger standout and tone setter to follow when using this moniker.
The article's author, though, isn't giving enough credit to the 1984-85 288 GTO. It only used the 308 GTB chassis as a basis for what it was and was practically another car entirely including its engine and transaxle layout and wheelbase. Their bodies are most closely related to the 308's but their drivetrains are extremely similar to those in the F40. They were purpose built for Group B racing homologation.
I'm in no position to dabble in Ferraris myself but the last GTO model they released wasn't more than a worked over version of the 599 GTB and not an actual racing series homologation model (unless I'm very mistaken). The recent F12 TDF actually reminded me of the beautiful visual aesthetic of the 288 GTO a bit. Technically it was interesting also with their own take on a 4WS system.
I think that's the tone that was set by the 1985 288 GTO: with or without a technology focused racing series to homologate with a limited run of hand made cars, the moniker "GTO" under Ferrari from then on represented a technological tour de force race car for the road. It could be argued that the F40 was the barely legal absolutely no-frills evolution of that.
The projected performance numbers for this car will be very impressive but I guess I also expect Ferrari to not just work over one of their existing cars when they dub it with "GTO". I expect them to frankenstein one of their cars or do a new chassis that not only does highly impressive performance numbers but also pushes the technological envelope a bit.
Or perhaps Ferrari feels the real meaning of "GTO" for them is more in line with the purely stripped down and streamlined philosophy of the 250 GTO's. Two totally different directions to take a very limited type of track focused model. I can say for myself the relevant-to-1985 technological wonder that the 288 GTO was is the bigger standout and tone setter to follow when using this moniker.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 04-29-17 at 03:16 AM.
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