Motor Car History
 Veteran - Vintage - Classic - Modern
Motor car history
Understanding the Automobile
Toggle Navigation
  • Home
  • Makes and models
  • Motor car History
  • Innovations
    • Engines
    • Engine Components
    • Induction & Exhaust
    • Suspension Types
    • Tyres wheels Brakes
    • Vehicle Body types
    • Electrical & electronic
    • Gearbox & Drivetrain
  • Trivia
    • Museums
    • Advertising
    • Race events
    • Film & TV
    • Coach Builders
  • Help Guide
    • driving
    • ECU
  • links
    • Contact Us
  • Log in Register
    • Help area
  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • F
  • Ferrari
  • Ferrari 288 GTO (1984-1987)

Ferrari 288 GTO

1984–1987
 FerrariGTO.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Ferrari
Production 1984–1987
272 produced
Body and chassis
Class Sports car
Body style Berlinetta (coupe)
Layout RMR layout
Related Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS
Powertrain
Engine 2.9 L Type F114B twin turbo V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,450 mm (96 in)
Length 4,290 mm (169 in)
Width 1,910 mm (75 in)
Height 1,120 mm (44 in)
Curb weight 1,160 kg (2,560 lb)

 

The Ferrari GTO (often referred to as Ferrari 288 GTO) is an exotic homologation of the Ferrari 308 GTB produced from 1984 through 1987, designated GT for Gran Turismo and O for Omologato (homologated in Italian).

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, after the death of Henri Toivonen and his co-driver Sergio Cresto in the 1986 Tour de Corse, the FIA disestablished the class, leaving just the Group A Rally championship. As a result, the 288 GTO never raced and all 272 cars built remained purely road cars.

Some of the 288 GTO's styling features were first displayed on a 308 GTB design exercise by Pininfarina shown at the 1977 Geneva Salon. This included the deep front spoiler, fender flares, rear lip spoiler, front lid radiator cooling louvers and quadruple driving lights.

Ferrari 288 GTO side view

Engine

The GTO was based on the mid-engined, rear wheel drive 308 GTB (which has a 3.0 litre V8 engine). The "288" refers to the GTO's 2.8 litre V8 engine 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's 2926 cc engine, the GTO's 2855 cc engine was mounted longitudinally, using the 308's rear boot space. This was necessary to make room for the twin turbochargers and intercoolers. The racing transmission was mounted to the rear of the longitudinal engine moving the rear differential and wheels aft. As a result the wheelbase was 110 mm (4.3 in) longer at 2,450 mm (96 in). The track was also widened to accommodate wider wheels and tires (Goodyear NCT 225/50VR16 tires mounted on 8 x 16" Speedline wheels at the front and 255/50VR16 mounted on 10 x 16" wheels at the rear) to provide increased cornering and braking performance and the ability to apply 400 hp (298 kW) and 366 lb·ft (496 N·m) of torque to the ground. The GTO was an impressive performer with 0-60 mph times in the upper 4 second range. Ferrari claimed 0-125 mph (201 km/h) in 15 seconds flat. Top speed was 189 mph (304 km/h), making it the first street-legal production car to reach 300 km/h (186 mph).

Evoluzione

Ferrari also built five 288 GTO Evoluzione models with more aggressive and aerodynamic body styling and increased power. The engine in the 288 GTO Evoluzione originally put out as much as 650 hp (480 kW). With weight of 940 kg (2,072 lb) the car had a top speed of 225 mph (362 km/h). These cars form the clearest visual link between the 288 GTO and the F40 soon to follow.

All five are still in existence with one owned by the Factory on display in the engine manufacturing facility in Maranello.

 Ferrari 288 GTO front view

Ferrari
Return
Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (1966-1968) 8 / 28 Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS (1975-1985)
More information on
Ferrari 288 GTO car history from 1984 to 1987

Related

motor car on you tube

Categories
Ferrari
Italian Automotive 1980s | Vehicles launched in 1984 | Limited production cars | Italian Sports Cars | Berlinetta body

Gallery

Gallery
vehicle numbers how many made dimensions,body types,   chassis.Automobiles worldwide.

Ferrari models

  • Ferrari 166
  • Ferrari 212
  • Ferrari 250
  • Ferrari 275
  • Ferrari 330
  • Ferrari 365
  • Ferrari 400
  • Ferrari 500
  • Ferrari 512
  • Ferrari Testarossa
  • Ferrari Dino
  • Ferrari Mondial

Most content is now restricted to registered members only

Help Motor car go into the future >>>  Register for website here.

Read more in this section

Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (1966-1968)
Ferrari 275 GTB/4 (1966-1968)
Read more...
Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS (1975-1985)
Ferrari 308 GTB/GTS (1975-1985)
Read more...
Ferrari 250 GT Lusso (1963–1964)
Ferrari 250 GT Lusso (1963–1964)
Read more...

  • You are here:  
  • Motor Car
  • Make and Model
  • F
  • Ferrari

Back to Top

© 2021 Motor Car History