steeds in siam
A pair of Ferrari automobiles in matching swatches of Rosso Corsa are parked at the porch of Chiang Rai’s Le Meridien. For most, such a sight would herald the beginning of a good day. This was Esperienza Ferrari 2017, a weeklong programme of driving for media and prospective customers alike. The clarion call originated from Ferrari’s update to the 458; namely the 488 GTB and its topless twin, the 488 Spider.
At a glance, the 488 GTB takes an evolutionary approach to the 458 Italia’s sleek surface treatment. Minor revisions to the front and rear – including the replacement of the muffler triplet for an F1-inspired blinking brake light – are in company with stark, but necessary design revisions. For example, the gaping intakes on the rear flanks to feed twin-turbos, previously absent from the engine bays.
Our morning run took us up the hills of Doi Mae Salong. Where in the past a V8 Ferrari might have greatly disrupted the peace of such a setting, this is no longer the case. In Sport mode, you hear nothing before 3,500rpm. In Race however, the band plays throughout.
When the music rises, the absence of the dramatic but antisocial howl of the old naturally aspirated V8 is very apparent. In its place is a muted rumble, suited to the concrete jungle – should that be your typical playground. The result of this re-engineering is obvious in the twists leading up to Hong Fu Resort – where the silence was maintained upon our ascent. The same serenity prevailed as we navigated to the sprawling, manicured steppes of the Choui Fong Tea plantation, a site of premium tea production for over half a century.
Prepare to be rewarded with the International Engine of the Year for 2016 featuring a stable-load of more torque at 760Nm over the 540Nm of the old 4.5-litre V8. All of it is available at 3,000rpm, taking the 488 twins from 0-100km/hr in three seconds flat. After the century mark, the Spider dispatches 0-200km/hr in 8.7 seconds, while the coupe shaves four-tenths off of this.
Power is rated at roughly 668hp at 8,000rpm, a near 100hp increase over the output of the 458 but achieved at 1,000rpm lower. Such is the grace and the curse of this new 3.9-litre twin turbo, where emotive audio takes a backseat in the pursuit of performance gains.
At our next port of call, the pair of Ferraris did what any prancing horse does best. Contrasting sharply in the foreground of Chalermchai Kositpipat’s White Temple, or Wat Rong Khun, a crowd gathered to snap away and immortalise the moment. Chiang Rai is no grand prix circuit to show off the breadth of the 488’s talents, but it did serve a purpose in showing off its demeanour during working hours. Unnatural quiet, adequate cushioning and yet, the centre of attention almost anywhere. With a Ferrari, this is a constant to be expected.
The Robb Report Malaysia choice? Unanimously, by virtue of there being a judging panel of one, the 488 Spider. This after circa-130km of driving, including threading through traffic and dusty, narrow backroads. With the aural experience diminished, the only way to enjoy the 488 now is to heighten the senses that remain. As tested, the Ferrari 488 GTB starts at RM1,068,800 with an RM100,000 premium for the 488 Spider. Both prices exclude taxes and options.
