Ferrari 288 GTO

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Ferrari GTO
Manufacturer	Ferrari
Parent company	Fiat Group
Also called	Ferrari 288 GTO
Production	1984–1985 277 produced
Predecessor	Ferrari 250 GTO
Successor	Ferrari F40
Class	Sports Car
Body style(s)	Berlinetta (coupe)
Layout	RMR layout
Engine(s)	2.8 L turbocharged V8
Related	Ferrari 308 GTB

The Ferrari GTO (often referred to as Ferrari 288 GTO) was an exotic homologation (thus the O for Omologazione) of the Ferrari 308 GTB produced in 1984 through 1986.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 110 mm (4.3 in) longer at 2450 mm (96.5 in), and the track was widened also. With 400 hp and 366 lb·ft (496 N·m) 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 a staggering 189 mph (304 km/h).

[edit] 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.

[edit] Legacy

The GTO was the first in a series of Ferrari high end sports cars, continued with its much-modified version, the 1987 F40. Also, the later V12-engined F50 and Enzo would not have been produced if not for the 288 GTO.

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. Former Formula One driver Eddie Irvine has owned a 288 GTO since the early days of his career. There are now only two 288 GTO Evos left in existence.

[edit] References

• Buckley, Martin & Rees, Chris (1998). World Encyclopedia of Cars. London: Anness Publishing. ISBN 1-84038-083-7. 
• Ferrari 288 GTO at the Group B Rally Cars.