Ferrari 488 GTB Project Car with 850 hp by xXx Performance

Posted on 1 December, 2015

The first Ferrari 488 GTBs have only just been delivered to their owners, but already Bochum-based xXx Performance has styling and performance upgrades ready for Maranello’s new mid-engine supercar.

Made from high quality carbon-fibre the aggressive front spoiler, rear diffuser, side skirts, aerodynamically shaped mirrors and air vents next to the rear lights give this low slung Italian an even more exclusive look. The taillights, the side markers and the rear fog lamp were replaced with shaded ones.

To fill out the wheel arches to their very edges and increase mechanical grip, xXx Performance uses forged Vossen VPS-315T wheels in the sizes 9.0×21 and 12.5×21 inch, shod with 245/30ZR21 and 325/35ZR21 rubber.

A specially calibrated set of springs, designed for use with the factory active dampers, lowers the ride height by 35 mm. Alternatively a coilover with adjustable suspension is available. To ensure that the car remains able to negotiate ramps and speed bumps in everyday use, a hydraulic lift system for both axles increases ground clearance at the touch of a button.

While some enthusiasts decry Ferrari’s move to forced aspiration, the new 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 motor offers a much easier power upgrade path to truly big output numbers. Thus, xXx Performance uses intake, exhaust and ECU upgrades to offer a three-stage tuning programme for this engine, which comes with 670 hp and 760 Nm of torque in standard form.

Stage 1 takes this to 750 hp and 830 Nm, while Stage 2 offers 850 hp and 930 Nm. At the pinnacle of the xXx Performance tuning programme, Stage 3 pushes the Ferrari 488 GTB engine to produce over 1,000 hp, with 1,250 Nm of torque!

One of the complaints against turbocharging is the more muted soundtrack. This is addressed by the flap control sports exhaust system, which includes larger downpipes for lower back-pressure, and a goose bump inducing race car like scream at the top end.

Source: Ferrari