Ferrari has rolled out a new supercar, the 488 GTB – it replaces the 458 Italia, considered by many to be the finest sports cars ever built. We recently sampled the 488 and came away mighty impressed.
It’s a powerful little red switch! Image source: Hollis Johnson
This story originally appeared on Business Insider.
A big question about the 488, because it added turbochargers to a V8 engine, was whether it would depart from some essential “Ferrari-ness.”
The Italian luxury automaker, until quite lately, hasn’t been too hot on turbos, although there have been turbocharged Ferraris in the past.
Despite the engine change, plenty of well-known Ferrari features remain. Notably, a small red switch on the steering wheel — the “manettino.”
The manettino enables the driver to change driving modes without letting go of the wheel. It’s a technology that has its basis in Formula One racing, where Ferrari has at times dominated — and where its deepest passion remains.
Here’s a quick video tour of all things manettino. Check it out: