Ferrari F8 Tributo – 488 GTB replacement revealed

Ferrari has revealed its new F8 Tributo through a small sampling of official images ahead of the car’s debut in Geneva next week. The new mid-rear-engined offering replaces the 488 GTB in the automaker’s road car line-up, and promises a host of improvements across the board, from handling and driving dynamics to on-board comfort.

Measuring in at 4,611 mm long, 1,979 mm wide and 1,206 mm tall, making it marginally longer (+43 mm), wider (+27 mm) and lower (-7 mm) than the 488 GTB, it’s a lighter offering than its predecessor – the car’s dry weight is 40 kg less than the 488 GTB, and from a kerb weight viewpoint, the company says that with lightweight options the F8 tips the scales at 1,330 kg, which is 55 kg lighter than the 488 Pista (1,385 kg).

It’s exterior shape is edgier than the Tipo F142M, and the company says its styling is a bridge to a new design language that the company is heading towards. The changes are not just geared towards the visual, but improve on the aero capabilities as well, with a 10% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency over the 488.

The car gets new, more compact, horizontal LED headlights, which allows the incorporation of new brake cooling intakes – in combination with those on the outside of the bumper, air flow has been improved throughout the entire wheelarch, and so there hasn’t been a need to increase the size of the braking system to cope with the car’s improved speed.

Elsewhere, the S-Duct, which made its debut on the Pista, has been redesigned, and now adds 15% to the overall increase in downforce compared to the 488 GTB. Other elements of the aero package adopt several features from the Pista designed to help manage engine heat – these include the rearward-angled front radiators and the dynamic engine air intakes, which are positioned either side of the spoiler instead of on the rear flanks.

The F8 features a new Lexan rear screen, which aside from providing improved access visually to the engine compartment, also pays homage to the louvred screen on the F40, albeit with a modern, more subtle twist.

Here, the louvres help extract hot air from the engine compartment without impacting the efficiency of the blown spoiler, which has been redesigned to increase rear downforce. Other new elements include a classic twin light cluster and, in another nod to the past, a body-coloured tail.

The F8 retains the use of the F154 engine in its CD variation, as seen on the 488 Pista. Output from the 3.9 litre V8 unit is identical to that found on the Pista, the numbers being 710 hp (720 PS) at 8,000 rpm and 770 Nm at 3,250 rpm.

Other mechanical improvements come in the form of the latest version of the Side Slip Angle Control, now in 6.1 guise, and a new version of the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE+), which can be activated in the manettino’s Race position for the first time.

The sole image of the interior reveals a cabin with a new, more organic-looking dashboard design, and the door panels and centre console have also been reworked. A new, smaller steering wheel makes its way on, as does a new 7.0-inch passenger touchscreen display.

The F8 Tributo won’t be the only sports car to be introduced by the company in 2019 – it has been previously reported that a mid-engined V8 hybrid supercar is due sometime later this year. More on the F8 Tributo when it makes its official debut in Geneva.

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Learn more: 2019 Geneva Motor Show