Used 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB

The 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB and Spider are superb supercars, with little space for much more than an engine, chassis and a couple of people. But they still come with a lot of baggage. It’s baggage of the emotional kind, though. No other make of car has the same romance, heritage, pedigree and downright desirability. These fixed-roof and open-top models keep the thrills coming, using know-how obtained through motor racing at the absolute highest levels. Their accelerative powers are prodigious — the GTB can zip from standstill to 60 mph in only three seconds, the time it takes to utter “Oh, my gosh” or something similar. And all this equipment dedicated to the fine art of driving fast is wrapped up in arguably beautiful packages. Ferrari didn’t become Ferrari by chance.

Although these Ferrari 488 supercars have an astonishing turn of speed, incredible grip and immediate responses, they will also surprise a driver by making all those thrills so readily accessible. They’re actually easy to drive. The power seems infinite, inexhaustible. Floor the throttle at any speed and the outside world morphs into a smear of particles. The 488 is in a still-exclusive club that can break the 200-mph barrier. At the other end of the performance envelope are fade-free (and lightweight) carbon-ceramic brake discs that, at optimum temperature, will arrest forward movement like a black hole sucks in light. The ideal way to really explore everything a 2018 488 has to offer is on a track. Driving there and back, though, the adaptive suspension and smooth-shifting dual-clutch (essentially an automatic) transmission make motoring among the Muggles a pleasant experience.

A 488’s interior works both aesthetically and ergonomically. It’s surprisingly bearable right from the moment of stepping in, which doesn’t require the contortions often associated with supercars. Even tall drivers are accommodated. The dash is relatively simple, but still looks and feels special. This is a 2-seater whose engine is just behind those seats. In between, though, is a handy parcel shelf for a little extra stowage. The main trunk area, however, is up front, offering eight cubic feet of space — enough for a couple of weekend bags.

Even someone who doesn’t know or care about cars could look at a 2018 488 and realize a) it’s undoubtedly a Ferrari, and b) it has a peculiar beauty fashioned by function and flair alike. The flair is evident in those classic proportions enjoyed by mid-engine supercars. The function comes from the scoops, vents and underbody panels honed in a wind tunnel to provide more than 700 pounds of downforce at 155 mph. When moving that fast, this aerodynamic effect is deeply reassuring. The 488 GTB (B stands for berlinetta, a term describing fixed-roof cars) has an undeniable charm, but those who prefer the option of alfresco frolics will gravitate to the 488 Spider with its power-retractable top.

THE ENGINE
Ferrari bodies are often works of automotive art, but so are the engines. That’s why they’re under transparent covers. This mid-mounted titan has a pair of red cylinder heads bearing the Ferrari name. And although the sound at high revs might not be such a full-throated wail as a naturally aspirated engine, it’s still goosebump-inducing.

MULTI-FUNCTION STEERING WHEEL
Ferrari took a cue from its Formula One race cars with its steering wheel, incorporating numerous functions on its spokes, including wipers, engine start, high beams, turn signals and the all-important manettino drive-mode selector. Despite the complexity, it soon becomes as intuitive as a Toyota’s controls.

Most of the equipment in the 2018 Ferrari 488 GTB and 488 Spider is focused on extracting and exploiting the capabilities lying within the engine and chassis. For example, the drive modes (affecting suspension, steering, throttle and transmission settings) don’t include a “normal” setting, but go from Sport to Race. Those carbon-ceramic brakes are included. But the 488 also comes with an infotainment system, leather-covered sport seats (well-shaped, comfortable and supportive), and rear parking sensors. Given that rearward vision is never great in mid-engine cars, a rearview camera would have made a welcome standard feature, but sadly not. And while there’s an engine start button, pressing the key fob is still required to unlock the doors.

For a typical Ferrari buyer, money really is no object, so it’s pointless to gasp over how pricey the extras can be. Anyway, there’s a certain logic to spending $6,000 on forward- and rear-facing cameras, since it would cost around $10,000 to replace a cracked carbon-fiber rear diffuser. Buyers may also select a titanium sport exhaust, track telemetry system, carbon-fiber trim pieces and aerodynamic additions, various paintwork and interior colors, Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, and diamond-patterned seat stitching.

In both variants of the Ferrari 488 sits an all-aluminum, twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 making a mighty 661 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of torque. This is linked to what feels like a quantum-speed 7-ratio dual-clutch transmission with F1-style shift paddles and only the rear wheels are driven. Ferrari tuned the engine management for optimum power delivery in each of the seven gears, all responding with the immediacy of a naturally aspirated engine, saving maximum torque for the highest. The result is boundless acceleration while shifting up through the gearbox.

3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8
661 horsepower @ 8,000 rpm
561 lb-ft of torque @ 3,000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/22 mpg (16/22 mpg with stop/start option)