488
Introduced in 2015, the Ferrari 488 GTB opened a new generation of mid-rear-engined V8 berlinettas for the Italian marque. Its 3,902 cc twin-turbocharged V8 produces 670 hp and drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 488 Spider uses the same basic powertrain in an open-top body with a retractable hard top. Ferrari expanded the family in 2018 with the 488 Pista, a lighter and more powerful special-series model developed with extensive input from the 488 Challenge and 488 GTE race cars. The Pista Spider applies the same philosophy to a convertible body. The model years covered here run from 2015 to 2018 and include Berlinetta, Spider, Base, Targa, Pista Berlinetta, and Pista Spider variants. (ferrari.com)
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Variants by year
Make: Ferrari · Model: 488
6 / 6 versions shown
2018
2016
2015
Ferrari 488 photos
Model summary
Data from the ScanRacer library, organized to compare versions quickly.
Model introduction
Introduced in 2015, the Ferrari 488 GTB opened a new generation of mid-rear-engined V8 berlinettas for the Italian marque. Its 3,902 cc twin-turbocharged V8 produces 670 hp and drives the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 488 Spider uses the same basic powertrain in an open-top body with a retractable hard top. Ferrari expanded the family in 2018 with the 488 Pista, a lighter and more powerful special-series model developed with extensive input from the 488 Challenge and 488 GTE race cars. The Pista Spider applies the same philosophy to a convertible body. The model years covered here run from 2015 to 2018 and include Berlinetta, Spider, Base, Targa, Pista Berlinetta, and Pista Spider variants. (ferrari.com)
History
The Ferrari 488 GTB made its public debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, following an initial presentation at Maranello on February 18 of the same year. It replaced the 458 Italia and revived a Ferrari naming pattern combining a number linked to the engine’s unitary displacement with the GTB abbreviation for Gran Turismo Berlinetta. The major technical change was the move from a naturally aspirated V8 to a 3,902 cc twin-turbocharged V8 producing 670 hp at 8,000 rpm. Ferrari quoted a 0–100 km/h time of 3 seconds and a 330 km/h top speed for the coupe. (ferrari.com) The 488 Spider was unveiled at Frankfurt in September 2015. Its retractable hard top opens or closes in 14 seconds, even while the car is moving, while Ferrari retained the 670-hp output. It replaced the 458 Spider in Ferrari’s mid-rear-engined V8 sports-car range. (ferrari.com) In 2018, the 488 Pista became the family’s most extreme road-going derivative. Ferrari revised the weight, aerodynamics, engine, and electronic systems, raising output to 720 hp and peak torque to 770 Nm. The 488 Pista Spider, unveiled at Pebble Beach that year, combined the same track-oriented mechanical package with a retractable hard top. (ferrari.com)
Generations
The 488 is not a sequence of separate generations, but one sports-car family developed around a common architecture. The first phase consists of the 488 GTB and 488 Spider, launched in 2015 to replace the 458 Italia and 458 Spider respectively. Both use a 3,902 cc twin-turbocharged V8, a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and a mid-rear engine layout. The key structural distinction is the body: a fixed-roof berlinetta for the GTB and a convertible with a retractable hard top for the Spider. (ferrari.com) The second development arrived in 2018 with the 488 Pista and Pista Spider. Ferrari did more than increase power: the special series received dedicated aerodynamic components, weight-saving measures, and a substantially revised engine. The Pista produces 720 hp, 50 hp more than the GTB, and its development drew directly on experience from the 488 Challenge and 488 GTE race cars. (ferrari.com) Within the model-year categories considered here, Berlinetta and Spider represent the family’s initial phase, while Pista Berlinetta and Pista Spider appear in 2018. The Base and Targa labels should be treated as catalog categories; Ferrari’s principal commercial names were 488 GTB and 488 Spider.
Key differences
The 488 GTB and 488 Spider share the same 670-hp twin-turbocharged V8, but their bodies serve different purposes. The GTB retains a fixed-roof structure, generally favoring a closed-cabin driving experience, while the Spider adds an electrically operated retractable hard top. Ferrari states that the roof can open or close in 14 seconds, including while the car is moving. (ferrari.com) The 488 Pista is more substantially different from the GTB. It produces 720 hp, is officially described as 90 kg lighter than the GTB, and adds dedicated aerodynamic work plus an engine with more than 50 percent new components, according to Ferrari. The Pista Spider carries this mechanical and aerodynamic package into an open-top body. Base and Targa are not the principal official Ferrari names documented in the sources consulted, and no separate engine or chassis specification should be inferred from those labels alone. (ferrari.com)
Photo recognition
A 488 GTB is first identified by its mid-rear-engined berlinetta shape and large side air intakes positioned behind the doors. The body is fully enclosed, with a rear window and engine cover forming a clear coupe profile. The 488 Spider retains the same general architecture, but its retractable hard top and rear tonneau cover distinguish it from the fixed-roof car. (ferrari.com) The 488 Pista has a more functional appearance, with a more open front bumper, prominent aerodynamic channels, a front-hood air passage, and details derived from Ferrari’s racing programs. A central stripe is often associated with its appearance, but it depends on the customer’s specification. The Pista Spider combines the Pista’s bodywork with a retractable hard top. Color, wheels, and stripes alone are not conclusive identification clues; the air-intake design, bumper shapes, and roof arrangement are more dependable. (ferrari.com)
Important versions
The 488 GTB is the family’s reference model: a 670-hp berlinetta launched in 2015 as the successor to the 458 Italia. The 488 Spider uses the same engine and transmission in a convertible body with a retractable hard top. (ferrari.com) The 488 Pista is the track-oriented special series. Its V8 produces 720 hp, and its development drew on the 488 Challenge and 488 GTE race cars. The 488 Pista Spider retains that output and philosophy while adding open-top driving. Within the model years considered, these versions correspond to 2015 for the Berlinetta and Spider, followed by the Pista derivatives in 2018. (ferrari.com)
References
- Ferrari 488 GTB: Ferrari HistoryFerrari
- Ferrari 488 GTBFerrari
- The Ferrari 488 Spider conquers FrankfurtFerrari
- The Ferrari 488 Pista: the synthesis of extreme, track-level power and driving exhilaration for the roadFerrari
- Ferrari 488 Pista: a brilliant track-derived combination of exhilaration and performanceFerrari
- 488 Pista Spider: Topless & TimelessFerrari
- Ferrari 488: a Family of SevenFerrari
Technical specifications
Structured data available for versions linked to this model.
| Version | Power | Torque | Top speed | Drivetrain | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 530 kW (720 cv) at 8,000 rpm | — | — | Rear-wheel drive / Seven-speed F1 dual-clutch transmission | — |
Frequently asked questions
- What years was the Ferrari 488 produced?
- ScanRacer's referenced versions cover 2015 - 2018.
- How many Ferrari 488 examples are documented on ScanRacer?
- 77 published scans from 46 members, with the latest photo added in October 2026.
- What is the power output of the Ferrari 488?
- The sourced technical data lists 530 kW (720 cv) at 8,000 rpm.
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