Where would our childhoods be without Ferrari?

YOUR FAVOURITE SINGER, perhaps a movie or sports star you admire, an amusing picture of a dog with sunglasses on and a Ferrari. All bedroom wall posters there you should own at least once during your formative years. The famous people may all be replaced over time - we can remember going from Famke Janssen, to Britney to Beyonce -  but we promise the make of car will not. The model may alter from generation to generation, but nine times out of ten you'll find the vehicle in question displays a prancing horse on its bonnet.
The 488 GTB tested this week is prime poster material. Like the F40 in our era it is the stuff of childhood dreams and we were lucky enough to get behind the wheel in Dubai for a few days to put it through its paces.
What we immediately loved about the car was its influences. Both F1 and GT engineering has gone into this machine. The new model also exploits the know-how gleaned by Ferrari engineers over the last decade through the XX programme, which makes extreme track-only cars. The results are understandably phenomenal.
This 3902 cc V8 power unit is Ferrari's highest ever performing engine. It sprints from 0-100 km/h in three seconds flat. To drive it is like being in charge of your very own hyperdrive spaceship, except with a better soundtrack. Put your foot down and you are met with a symphony of roars growing into a high pitch scream.
We adored the way it drove. You are immersed in the racing pedigree. It's twitchy especially when slowing for a traffic light; almost as if it's insulted you're stopping. You feel the corners too, having to keep your wits about you. It's joyful. Looks-wise, just look at it! Now cut out the picture and put it on your wall.
SPECS
0-100 km/h: 3.0 s
0 -200 km/h: 8.3 s
Maximum speed: 330 km/h
david@khaleejtimes.com