Ferrari's 488 GTB ready for debut at Geneva

The Ferrari 488 GTB accelerates from 0-100km/h in 3.0sec and 0-200km/h in 8.3sec, while top speed is 335km/h.

Forty years after the launch of the 308 GTB, the first mid-engined Ferrari built for the road rather than for racing, Ferrari has unveiled the latest model in the line, the 488 GTB.

A replacement for the 458 Italia, it swaps that car's 4.5-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine for a 4-litre turbocharged V8.

Ferrari 488GTB interior

All of this helps the Ferrari 488 GTB accelerate from 0-100km/h in 3.0sec and 0-200km/h in 8.3sec, while top speed is 335km/h.

By comparison, the rival McLaren 650S matches the Ferrari's 0-100km/h time, but is 0.1sec slower to 200km/h and has a fractionally lower top speed.

The Ferrari 488GTB is being official launched at next month's Geneva motor show.

In addition to the improvement in performance, the 488 GTB is said to produce 50 per cent more downforce than the Italia and reduced drag.

Its eight-speed, twin-clutch paddle-shift gearbox features Variable Torque Management, designed to ensure the engine's massive torque is unleashed smoothly across the rev range.

And Ferrari's Side Slip Control 2 system, which improves acceleration out of corners, now controls the active dampers, making the car more stable during high-speed manoeuvres.

The Ferrari 488GTB

More details should be revealed next month when the car makes its public debut at the Geneva motor show.