What are the differences between the Ferrari 458 and 488?
2 Answers
Here is the relevant introduction about the Ferrari 458 and Ferrari 488: Ferrari 458 Exterior Design: The Ferrari 458 convertible features a winged front fascia with a honeycomb grille design, a clean and bold hood design, and sleek, elongated headlights that exude a sporty feel. The side profile boasts smooth and simple lines, giving it a stylish and athletic appearance. The rear incorporates honeycomb grilles on both sides and circular taillights, with a centrally positioned triple exhaust pipe design below. Ferrari 458 Powertrain: The Ferrari 458 convertible shares the same powertrain as the 458 Speciale, equipped with a 4.5L V8 engine producing a maximum power of 605 horsepower and a peak torque of 540 Nm. The Ferrari 488 is an automatic transmission model. Below is the relevant introduction about the Ferrari 488: Ferrari 488 Exterior: The front fascia features a dual vertical stripe design with a recessed style, a bold hood design, and sleek, elongated headlights. The side profile showcases a strong and sporty waistline along with dynamic side air intakes, complemented by a simple five-spoke wheel design. The rear adopts a clean design with a black diffuser at the bottom. Ferrari 488 Interior: The cabin features a red and black dual-tone sporty theme, with a race-inspired dashboard design.
As a long-time Ferrari enthusiast, I believe the core difference between the 458 and 488 lies in engine evolution. The 458 uses a 4.5L V8 naturally aspirated engine producing 570 horsepower – its high-revving exhaust note delivers pure driving pleasure. The 488 upgrades to a 3.9L V8 twin-turbocharged unit with 670hp, offering significantly quicker acceleration (0-100km/h in just 3 seconds, over half a second faster than the 458). However, turbo lag slightly compromises the immediate throttle response found in naturally aspirated engines. Design-wise, the 488 features larger front air intakes, a more aggressive rear end, additional digital displays in the cabin, and sharper handling. At high speeds, the 488's improved aerodynamics provide greater stability, while the 458 feels more raw but engaging. Regarding value retention, the newer 488 commands higher prices with stronger secondary market performance. Technologically, the 488 represents progress, but the 458 remains the legendary starting point.
