Performance Review: Ferrari 288 GTO - [1984]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 288 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 288 GTO is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1984. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T.This particular Ferrari 288 has a 2855cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 288 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 288's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1161 kgs (2559 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 288 GTO in the same weight category as the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 288 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp)

In terms of power the 2855cc 32V V8 engine produces 400 bhp (298 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (380 bhp) or the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (395 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 366 lb-ft (496.2 Nm) @ 3800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 288 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Audi R8 5.2 V10 FSI Quattro (369.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 288.

The Ferrari 288 has a Power to weight ratio of 344.5 bhp per ton and 315.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1984 288 competing with the 2015 Audi R8 5.2 V10 FSI Quattro (369.3 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 Roadster 3.5 V6 (369.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 288 generating around 315.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2001 Radical SR3 1.5 16V (339.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Dodge Viper SRT-10 8.3 V10 (339.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the Ferrari 288 GTO as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This Ferrari 288 GTO is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 288 and the 2009 Nissan 370Z Nismo

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 288 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.71 secs @ 116.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Nissan 370Z Nismo (11.65 secs), the 1995 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo III (11.65 secs), and the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (11.65 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1984 version of the Ferrari 288 GTO has a maximum speed of 189mph.

Top Speed of the 1984 288 equals the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (200 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1984 Ferrari 288 GTO then how about the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (200 mph), the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage V12 5.2 Twin Turbo (200 mph), or the 2022 Aston-Martin Vantage 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo Roadster (200 mph).

Related Links:

1984 288 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison