Forza Motorsport 6: The Ferrari 488

On the recently launched Meguiar's Car Pack, the all new Ferrari 488 GTB has arrived late in Forza Motorsport 6 but it's better than never being showed up at all for us to try out Ferrari's latest turbocharged masterpiece.



So, what's it all about this new Ferrari? Premiered at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari's brand new sportscar, the 488 GTB, succeeds where the successful 458 Italia left off and in tune with the times, this car is the first turbocharged mid-engined Ferrari since the F40.

Unlike the 458 it replaces, the 488 GTB is armed with Ferrari's brand new 3.9L twin-turbo V8 engine, which is smaller in size but more powerful than the 458 because it produces 670PS of power and 760Nm of torque, while mated with a 7-speed F1 gearbox. Ferrari says that the new model can do 0-100kph in less than three seconds and a top speed of over 330kph.

Apart from its performance, the 488 features carbon-ceramic brakes inspired from the LaFerrari, resulting to better stopping distance than the 458. It features a unique aerodynamic design that improves its downforce by over a half. It comes with a central "Aero Pillar", which deflects air under the flat body while the two vents in the hood deliver air from the dual intakes of the front bumper, to lower air pressure.



As I recall, the new V8 engine maybe as turbocharged as the legendary F40 but it doesn't sound like one because with all that miniaturization comes with a hefty price in the show-off stakes in terms of engine noises, perhaps the folks wanted to lower the volume of the engine noise in the making of downsizing engines. Despite its lowered volume in the engine noise, the 488 still retains its charm in terms of dynamics. Because this is lighter than a normal 458 and it incorporates all of Ferrari's motorsport knowledge, the new 488 still retains its handling charm that its predecessor does, although you could use some special training to get things right while mastering Ferrari's new turbocharged sports coupe.

Anyway, while in the subject of Ferrari's brand new berlinetta, I guess it's time now to see how much of a Ferrari this car is as I'm on a day off somewhere in Spain. One part of Spain to be exact; the Circuit de Catalunya, the venue of the Spanish GP.





So, thoughts on this Ferrari? Well, although its turbocharged V8 engine isn't as sound as I hoped for, it does make up with its sharp dynamics that I can enjoy it harder and longer the more I'm getting accustomed to it. It maybe late to arrive in the FM6 car roster but it's good to have one of the latest Ferraris on the list and with the 488, there's more to discover with this turbocharged stallion from Maranello.