The Ferrari F8 Tributo made its official South African debut at an exclusive private preview hosted by Scuderia South Africa, the official Ferrari dealer. It’s the latest mid-rear-engined sports car to represent the highest expression of the Prancing Horse’s classic two-seater berlinetta.
According to Ferrari it is a car with unique characteristics and, as its name implies, is a homage to the most powerful V8 in Ferrari history. It makes the exhilarating performance of the best eight-cylinder in the world accessible to all drivers, with unprecedented handling and superior ride comfort.
With a massive 530kW and a record specific power output of 136kW/L, it is the most powerful V8 ever to be mounted in a non-special series Ferrari, achieving new heights not just for turbos, but for engines across the board.
Award-winning engine
The turbocharged V8 has already been used in other models in the range with various power output levels, winning “Best Engine” in the International Engine of the Year awards three years running in 2016, 2017 and 2018. In 2018, it was also awarded the title of the best engine of the last two decades.
The F8 Tributo delivers its 530kW without the slightest hint of turbo lag and, says Ferrari, produces an evocative soundtrack. Instantaneous power is matched by exceptional handling thanks to the integration of state-of-the-art aerodynamics solutions derived from Ferrari’s track experience.
Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre, the F8 Tributo is essentially a bridge to a new design language that will continue to emphasize Ferrari’s key characteristics of high performance and extreme aerodynamic efficiency. In fact, the F8 Tributo is the most aerodynamically efficient series-production mid-rear-engined berlinetta ever designed.
The F8 Tributo replaces the 488 GTB and, in the range, is the model with the highest performance matched by the greatest driver involvement. There are significant improvements across the board, aimed at providing even better control on the limit along with greater on-board comfort.
Reduction in weight
The F8 Tributo punches out 37kW more than the 488 GTB, is 40kg lighter, and benefits from a 10% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency along with the latest version of the Side Slip Angle Control, now in 6.1 guises.
Scuderia South Africa CEO, Mervyn Eagles, comments: “We are delighted to introduce the latest multi-award-winning Ferrari V8 Turbo engined model to the Prancing Horse family. The F8 Tributo with all its unique characteristics unquestionably sets the market benchmark for exhilarating performance, ease of handling and of course, driving pleasure.”
In honour of showcasing the F8 Tributo on South Africa soil, the official Ferrari dealer has partnered with the Anne Van Dyk Cheetah Centre to commemorate another African icon too; an icon that shares many attributes with that of the Ferrari F8 Tributo.
Eagles adds: “An African cheetah, officially named Tributo, has been adopted by Scuderia South Africa to celebrate a likeness of beauty, performance, agility and of course, speed. Both the F8 Tributo and our cheetah, boast strong aesthetics, handle corners with precision and both can reach speeds of 0-100km/h in just under three seconds. As the official Ferrari dealer in SA we are proud to support and endorse the conservation of these rare and glorious creatures.”
The Ferrari F8 Tributo will continue its roadshow throughout South Africa as it is revealed at the official dealers in Durban and Cape Town later this month.
Quick stats:
Engine: 3.9-litre V8, twin-turbo
Power: 530kW
Torque: 770Nm
Transmission: F1 7-speed dual-clutch
0-100km/h: 2.9 seconds
0-200km/h: 7.8 seconds
Top speed: 340km/h
Dry weight: 1 330kg
Price: POA