Fresh of the its global premiere at the Geneva Motor Show, the new Ferrari F8 Tributo was recently displayed in the UK.
The Italian car manufacturer brought along a red F8 Tributo to HR Owen Ferrari in South Kensington. Not only was the car shown off in the dealership, but it was also briefly taken to local streets, providing us with our first chance to see the supercar in the real world. And it looks good. Very good.
While Ferrari’s marketing may want you to believe that it is an all-new vehicle, actually it’s not, as it is based on the 488 GTB – itself a heavily revamped version of the 458 Italia. a host of mechanical and design upgrades help to ensure the F8 Tributo has an identity of its own.
Powering the F8 Tributo is a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 thought to be very similar to the powertrain used by the 488 Pista. This engine pumps out 710 hp at 8,000 rpm and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque from 3,250 rpm, allowing the supercar to hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 2.9 seconds and 124 mph (200 km/h) in only 7.8 seconds, while maxing out at 211 mph (340km/h).
Compared to the 488 GTB and the 458 Italia which came before it, the design of the F8 Tributo is much more aggressive. It now includes a bold front fascia with re-shaped air intakes and at the rear, features four taillights instead of two, so while those familiar with its predecessor might spot some similarities, it’s unlikely they will confuse the F8 for 488.