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

To me it looks like an Esprit V8 crossed with a modern day elise. Kinda.

12/13/2016 - 22:00 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

We need more targas

12/13/2016 - 22:16 |
4 | 0
Unskrypted

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

targa all the cars!

12/13/2016 - 23:31 |
2 | 0
aero_mati

This is f%&*ing beautiful, looks way better than the 488

12/13/2016 - 23:03 |
0 | 0
GojiraR32

Ohh a new Lotus… oh wait

12/14/2016 - 00:19 |
1 | 0
Carl 1

front looks straight out of some crappy gta dlc that fuses two cars together (as always) and ends up looking shyte. Rear end tho… no words. Even kind of reminds me of the 430

12/14/2016 - 01:18 |
1 | 0
Anonymous

I’m curious. This is a Japan special edition, but Japan is a RHD market, yet the car is LHD. Of course, I’m assuming the car is open to international buyers, but why not show it as RHD to begin with?

12/14/2016 - 05:50 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

For some Reason the Japanese like their European cars as being LHD. Even if the car is British. It’s not uncommon to see LHD S class Mercedes in Japan

12/15/2016 - 05:35 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

It’s magnificent

12/14/2016 - 09:21 |
0 | 0
Nezbit

when you want a lambo but ferrari is life

12/14/2016 - 09:52 |
0 | 0
Joseph solomons

This might be the competition for the new lamborghini

12/14/2016 - 11:07 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Boring

12/14/2016 - 12:15 |
0 | 1