Just about every supercar is eye-catching. Their lofty price tags make them endemic to affluent areas, and seeing one being driven is a dainty opportune that only a few experience. To the point that most chances of seeing one will almost always make its rounds in various social media as a trendy topic.
That rarity makes supercars exotic – especially in the Philippines – and consequently, a sight to behold. More so if it’s a Ferrari. Even more so if it’s a car as beautiful as the F8 Tributo — and it’s now in the Philippines.
I took a quick trip to Ferrari’s showroom in BGC to see the F8 Tributo for myself. This Italian Prancing Horse is an easy subject to shoot. Every line, every cut, each design execution has its purpose – both in aesthetics and in performance. There isn’t any bad angle nor any unflattering shadows to be wary of. Truth be told, this shoot was a walk in the park.
Imagine doing a photoshoot with Liza Soberano. Enough said?
The F8 Tributo isn’t just a replacement to the 488 GTB. As its name implies, it’s a tribute to the greatest V8 coming from the Italian marque – all while offering a new design package that will surely make hearts race at one glance. It is the newest rear mid-engine supercar from the Italian marque, representing the highest expression of the Prancing Horse’s classic two-seater Berlinetta.
Now, I’ve mentioned that’s it’s a tribute, right? Well, that’s because the F8 Tributo harkens back to the Ferrari’s line of V8 engines – the best of the best, winning as the International Engine of the Year in 2016, 2017, and 2018. And in 2018, a version of this V8 won the title as the Best Engine for the last two decades.
On this iteration, the 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 makes a hefty 710hp and 770Nm of torque, sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. That’s 50 horsepower more than the 488 GTB it followed – all while being 40 kilograms lighter.
But the Tributo’s namesake doesn’t end with the power plant. It also pays homage to the iconic Ferraris of the past. At the back, the horizontal slits of the Lexan engine cover should remind you of the F40, while the F355 and 288 GTO inspire most of the rear (check the shape of the tail).
The idea of a blue Ferrari may sound quite ill-fitting, but this one’s an exception to that non-existent rule. These photos should be proof of that.
The blue hue continues inside, but let me remind you that Ferraris are bespoke, so you can actually order one in any color you like, thus the undefined P30-million-ish price tag.
To be objective, the cabin reminds me so much of the 488, with more than a handful of design cues adopted from its predecessor. The steering wheel’s quite familiar, too, like a smaller version of the one you’ll find in the 812 Superfast – quite perfect for quick maneuvers you’ll likely perform on this sports car.
Unfortunately, the model unit in Ferrari BGC showroom isn’t for the Philippines, so I didn’t have the chance to drive the newest Ferrari around. Maybe I’ll get to chance to try one out sometime, who knows, but I sure do hope so.