Ferrari F8 Tributo launches in Australia

The Ferrari F8 Tributo has been revealed at an event in Sydney, marking the first Australian appearance for Maranello’s new mid-engined supercar.

The F8 starts at $484,888 before on-roads and replaces the 488 GTB as the centrepiece of Ferrari’s range, incorporating technology from the limited-run 488 Pista but without that model’s hardcore track focus.

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Most notable is the latest evolution of Ferrari’s 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8, which now produces an incredible 530kW at 7000rpm and 770Nm at 3250rpm, an increase of 38kW/10Nm over the 488.

Performance is vivid, 0-100km/h claimed to take 2.9sec and 0-200km/h 7.8sec on the way to a 340km/h top speed. The extra power comes courtesy of a new intake and fancy Inconel exhaust taken from the 488 Challenge race car, new valves and valve springs, revised cams, titanium con-rods and a lighter crankshaft and flywheel.

Power is fed to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and electronically controlled rear differential, with Ferrari’s clever Side Slip control traction system now up to version 6.1 and activated in RACE mode as well as CT Off.

Weight is down 40kg, or at least it is when the optional carbon fibre rims and lithium-ion battery are fitted, with the remainder accounted for by lightweight bumpers, a carbon fibre rear spoiler and the louvred lexan rear window, a nod to the iconic F40.

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Another design cue lifted from a mid-engined V8 Ferrari from yesteryear is the twin taillight arrangement and the body-coloured tail which appeared on the 308 GTB.

The F8 makes a big step forward over the 488 in the area of aerodynamics, increasing downforce by 10 per cent with no increase in drag thanks to the S-Duct in the nose, blown rear spoiler, new diffusers and underbody vortex generators.

First Australian deliveries of the F8 Tributo are expected to take place in Q1 2020.