Description
The Ferrari 288 GTO, introduced in 1984, was developed as a homologation special for Group B racing, a category that allowed manufacturers to create highly advanced, high-performance cars in very limited numbers. Although Group B was canceled before the 288 GTO could compete, the model went on to become one of Ferrari’s most celebrated and influential supercars, blending racing technology with road-going usability.
At its heart was a 2,855 cc twin-turbocharged V8 derived from the 308’s engine architecture but heavily re-engineered. It featured four valves per cylinder, Weber-Marelli electronic fuel injection, and twin IHI turbochargers with Behr intercoolers, producing 400 horsepower and 496 Nm of torque. Mounted longitudinally rather than transversely, the engine drove the rear wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential. This layout, along with a lightweight tubular steel chassis, Kevlar and fiberglass body panels, and advanced aerodynamics, enabled the 288 GTO to reach 0 to 100 km/h in around 4.9 seconds and achieve a top speed of 305 km/h — making it the fastest production car in the world at the time.
Visually, the 288 GTO took inspiration from the 308 GTB but featured significant changes for performance and cooling. The body was wider, with flared wheel arches to accommodate wider wheels and tires, large NACA ducts in the doors, and deep front and rear spoilers. The nose was more aggressively sculpted, and the rear featured distinctive quadruple tail lights and triple-louvered cooling vents behind each wheel arch. The combination of functional aerodynamics and classic Ferrari proportions gave the car a purposeful yet elegant presence.
Inside, the 288 GTO reflected its motorsport origins with a relatively spartan but high-quality cockpit. Leather-trimmed bucket seats, a simple dashboard with clear instrumentation, and minimal sound insulation emphasized the car’s performance focus, while still offering enough comfort for road use.
Production ran from 1984 to 1987, with only 272 units built, all in left-hand drive. The car’s rarity, combined with its significance as Ferrari’s first modern supercar and the spiritual predecessor to the F40, has made it one of the most sought-after Ferraris in history.
Today, the 288 GTO is revered for its combination of raw performance, advanced engineering, and timeless design. It stands as a bridge between Ferrari’s racing heritage and its modern era of road-going supercars, and its legacy continues to influence Ferrari’s most exclusive limited-production models.