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Philip Lord30 Jul 2015
NEWS

Cheaper new Ferrari 488 GTB in big demand

Prancing Horse brand's new 488 GTB super-coupe arrives in December priced $55K lower than 458 Italia, but there's a two-year waiting list

Ferrari’s new 488 GTB was unveiled in Sydney today ahead of first Australian deliveries from December with a pricetag significantly cheaper than the 458 Italia it replaces.

At $469,888 (plus on-road costs) the 488 GTB is $55,000 more affordable than the outgoing 458 Italia.

Ferrari Australasia boss Herbert Appleroth said the price drop was due to the 458 Italia's specifications being beefed up mid-way through its life-cycle versus the 488 GTB’s more restrained standard equipment list.

“When this car’s predecessor [the 458] was introduced, the Australian dollar was at a certain level," he said.

"Mid-way through the life cycle of the 458 Italia the currency moved, which gave a benefit for us so we decided to give that back to the client -- but not by reducing the retail price but by adding value back to the cars. Some $56,000 of value was added back to the car in terms of options free of charge."

Appleroth said standard equipment in discontinued 458 comprised items such as side 'Scuderia' shields, lift kit (to allow the car to drive over more acutely angled driveways without scraping), a carbon-fibre steering wheel and a couple of trim items.

“With this car we decided to basically re-price it, and give that money back to the client for them to decide where they want to spend the money options."

According to Appleroth, on average, the typical Ferrari buyer will personalise their car to the tune of $65,000.

“We actively promote that -- every customer should have a unique experience, to create their very own unique Ferrari. We have dealerships built around that whole thing -- we have dealerships that have an atelier in there specifically to allow them to create their own special Ferrari.”

Two items are most commonly checked on the 488 GTB options list, said Appleroth.

“The carbon-fibre steering wheel, with the LED lights across the top -- that is very popular. The shields -- actually close to 90 per cent of 488s will have the traditional Scuderia shields on the side of the car."

While the 488 GTB does not have the same equipment level as its predecessor, Appleroth said that the Australian 488 GTB buyer still gets the highest level of standard inclusions globally.

“[Australia's] 488 GTB is the most highly specified in the world. So you’ll find things like the satellite-navigation, iPod connectivity, rear parking sensors; they are not on the overseas models.”

Appleroth said the main problem was not selling the 488 GTB, we drove in Europe in June, but getting enough of them to sell.

“Even before we launched the car, we’ve already got a two-year waiting list. Really, beyond two years is quite difficult for our clients.”

While he wouldn’t divulge exact numbers, Appleroth said the waiting list comprised more than 100 people.

The 488 GTB’s all-new twin-turbo 3.9-litre V8 develops 493kW/760Nm and directs drive through a seven-speed dual clutch automatic. The 0-100km/h sprint is achieved in 3.0 seconds and the 0-200km/h dash is over in just 8.4 seconds. Top speed is pegged at 330km/h.

Ferrari has also made some efficiency gains too. The new twin-turbo engine gains an idle-stop system and now averages 11.4L/100km while emitting 260g/km of CO2 — 47g/km less than the 458.

Meanwhile, the 488 Spider, which Ferrari announced overnight, is due here by June next year and priced at about $530,000, according to Appleroth.

“We’re obviously not close to [announcing] price yet but it’ll be a similar gap to what you see between 458 Italia and 458 Spider. The first car we’ll be showing our clients will be in December. Even before the photos of the new Spider came out, we already held one year’s worth of orders.”

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Written byPhilip Lord
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