Ferrari GTO

From WOI Encyclopedia Italia

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Ferrari "288" GTO
Manufacturer:Ferrari
Class:mid-engined coupe
Production:19841985
Predecessor:Ferrari 250 GTO
Successor:Ferrari F40
Body Styles:Berlinetta
Engines:2.9 L turbo V8

The Ferrari 288 GTO was an exotic homologation car produced in 1984 through 1986. It was built with the Group B rally series in mind but was never entered there.

The GTO (named for Ferrari's 1960s 250 GTO) was based on the mid-engined 308 GTB. It used a de-bored (by 1 mm) version of that car's V8 with twin IHI turbochargers, intercoolers, and Weber-Marelli fuel injection. The 2855 cc engine capacity was dictated by the displacement limit for the class (4 liters) and the required multiplier for turbocharged cars (1.4). With this formula in mind, the GTO's V8 was rated at 3,997 cc equivalent.

Unlike the 308, the engine was rotated longitudinally into the space formerly assigned as the trunk. The wheelbase was 110 mm longer at 2450 mm, and the track was widened. With 400 hp (almost 140 hp per liter!) and 366 lb-ft, the GTO was an impressive performer. 0-60 times were in the upper 4 second range and Ferrari claimed 0-125mph in 15 seconds flat (roughly when a 80's Mustang GT would be hitting 90). Top speed was a staggering 190 miles per hour.

Unlike the F40, the 288 was equipped with most of the basic luxuries - AC, AM/FM sterio, and so on - which made the car a very comfortable car to drive.

Even though the asking price was around $90,000 for the time, small production numbers and exotic background have driven values into the millions of US dollars.

The GTO was the first in an ongoing series of Ferrari supercars. The 1987 F40 and later F50 and Enzo would not have been produced if not for the fabled 288 GTO.

In 2004, Sports Car International named this car number two on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s.



< EARLIER CARS Ferrari road car timeline, 1960-present
Type 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789
FR GT 250 275 365 GTB/4 Daytona 550 575M 599
America 330 365
2 plus 2 250GT 330GT 365GT GTC/4 GT4 400 400i 412 456 456 M 612
RMR V6/V8 Dino 206 Dino 246 GT 308GTB 308i 308 QV 328 348 360 F430
246 GTS 308 GTS 208 F355
2 plus 2 Dino GT4 Mondial 8 Mondial QV 3.2 Mondial Mondial t
flat-12 365BB 512 BB 512i BB Testarossa 512TR F512M
Halo model 250 GTO 250 LM 288 GTO F40 F50 Enzo FXX
F50 GT