Ferrari 288 GTO

Infobox Automobile


name = Ferrari GTO
aka = Ferrari 288 GTO
manufacturer = Ferrari
parent_company = Fiat Group
class = Sports Car
layout = RMR layout
production = 1984–1985 277 produced
predecessor = Ferrari 250 GTO
successor = Ferrari F40
related = Ferrari 308 GTB
body_style = Berlinetta (coupe)
engine = 2.8 L turbocharged V8The Ferrari GTO (often referred to as Ferrari 288 GTO) was an exotic homologation (thus the O for "Omologazione") version of the Ferrari 308 GTB produced in 1984 through 1986.

Background

The Ferrari GTO was built to compete in the new Group B Race series and a minimum of 200 cars were required for homologation. However as only Ferrari and Porsche, with their 959, entered, the series was soon abandoned leaving just the Group B Rally championship. The Porsche 959 (as the Porsche 961) only raced three times in Group B, but the 288 GTO never raced and all 272 cars built remained purely road cars.

Engine

The GTO was based on the mid-engined, rear wheel drive 308 GTB. The 288 refers to its 2.8 liter V8 engine, though, as it used a de-bored (by 1 mm) V8 with twin IHI turbochargers, intercoolers, and Weber-Marelli fuel injection. The 2855 cc engine capacity was dictated by the FIA's requirement for a Turbocharged engine's capacity to be multiplied by 1.4. This gave the GTO a theoretical engine capacity of 3997 cc, just under the Group B limit of 4.0 litres.

Unlike the 308, the engine was mounted longitudinally, using the 308's rear boot space. The wheelbase was Auto mm|110 longer at Auto mm|2450, and the track was widened also. With 400 hp and Auto ftlbf|366 of torque, the GTO was an impressive performer. 0-60 mph times were in the upper 4 second range and Ferrari claimed 0-125 mph (201 km/h) in 15 seconds flat. Top speed was Auto mph|189.

Evoluzione

Ferrari also built five 288 GTO "Evoluzione" models with more aggressive and aerodynamic body styling and increased power. The engine in the "Evoluzione" originally put out as much as 650 hp; however, this was dialed down to 450 hp after Group B was banned as a whole in 1986. These cars form the clearest visual link between the 288 GTO and the F40, soon to follow.

The GTO was the first in a series of Ferrari high end sports cars, continued with its much-modified version, the 1987 F40. Only three 288 GTO Evos are still in existence while the other two were sacrificed as a development for the legendary F40.

Awards

In 2004, "Sports Car International" named this car number two on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s, behind its German rival the Porsche 959.

References

*
* [http://www.stormloader.com/groupb/ferrari.html Ferrari 288 GTO] at the Group B Rally Cars.