Here's The New 681bhp Ferrari No One Expected

Out of the blue Ferrari has released details of a brand-new ultra-limited-edition targa version of the 488. More power, more exclusivity and more style makes us a bit weak at the knees
Here's The New 681bhp Ferrari No One Expected

One thing no one, anywhere has said about the Ferrari 488 is that it needs more power, but to hell with that: they’ve gone and delivered it anyway.

This is the limited-edition Ferrari J50, a completely unexpected targa based on the 488 but with the 3.9-litre V8’s wick turned up to 681bhp – 20bhp more than the standard car.

Here's The New 681bhp Ferrari No One Expected

Just 10 are being built to celebrate 50 years of the Italian brand’s presence in Japan, and no you can’t have one because you can bet they’re already sold, with each being tailored to the customer that bought it. How much? If you have to ask…

There are plenty of press release references to the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Serious bodywork mods include the “helmet visor”-style glass area, a bonnet that’s lower than standard at the centre and a black ‘dividing line’ that circles the new front bumper below knee height. All this, says Ferrari, turns it into a heritage-friendly barchetta.

Here's The New 681bhp Ferrari No One Expected

The LED headlights are new, as are the wheels and interior trim. To accommodate the heavily revised front end the radiators have been moved closer together and the windscreen header rail has been lowered for better air flow up from the lower nose.

As for keeping the rain out, obviously if you’ve bought one you’re rich and live somewhere where it doesn’t rain. That or you have much garage space. But just in case, there’s a two-piece carbon-fibre hard top that stows, ahem, “conveniently behind the seats.”

Here's The New 681bhp Ferrari No One Expected

Built by Ferrari’s Special Projects department and designed by the in-house Maranello team, this is likely to be a Ferrari collector’s wet dream from day one. We can’t wait to see the final sale value the first time one goes to auction.

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Comments

Anonymous

By the comments it seems that im the only one who is really excited and shocked.

12/13/2016 - 16:21 |
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Adam 24

Ferrari has definitely regained 100% of my respect for them. I mean the 488 looks kinda good but this.. oh man. What a gorgeous car.

12/13/2016 - 16:53 |
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D-Sko

When the first line of an article talks about having more power that no one asked for, I was a little let down when they said it was 20 BHP more. 20, that’s it? Is that even worth mentioning?

12/13/2016 - 17:16 |
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Anonymous

truth be told I don’t think it looks that amazing, I really prefer the looks of the original 488.
To my eye, the front looks all wrong, this little open thing really doesn’t do it for me, and it look a bit too aggressive, whereas I think Ferrari’s should look mean but still stay fancy/distinguished .
I must say I like this little black duck-tail spoiler

12/13/2016 - 17:36 |
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Anonymous

I love how incredibly retro this is.

12/13/2016 - 17:47 |
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Anonymous

Looks like a 488 and a Huracan finally acted on all the tension and created this love-child

12/13/2016 - 18:04 |
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Anonymous

Disco Volante…those words came to mind when I first saw the picture. That black stripe is so sexy

12/13/2016 - 18:23 |
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Anonymous

It’s like a Lambo and Koensidegenstegnsgen

12/13/2016 - 18:29 |
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Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

That moment when you can’t realate the looks to anything, apart from that ugly porsche 918 in gta 5

12/13/2016 - 21:40 |
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RuggeD_

Beautiful Centena- I mean J50!

12/13/2016 - 20:23 |
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DL🏁

I don’t mind sudden car releases that nobody expects!

12/13/2016 - 21:42 |
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