Ferrari F8 Tributo: The Definitive History, Specs, and Legacy
Introduction: Ferrari’s Tribute to Mid-Engine V8 Legacy
In the celebrated lineage of Ferrari’s road cars, the F8 Tributo, introduced in 2019, stands as a triumphant homage—a mid-engine sports car with a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 delivering 720 horsepower, honoring decades of V8 excellence. Crafted by Ferrari’s Centro Stile, this model saw approximately 5,000 units produced across its Tributo (coupe) and Spider variants, succeeding the 488 GTB. Named “Tributo” to celebrate its heritage, it blended race-inspired dynamics, aerodynamic mastery, and refined power, cementing its place as a pinnacle of Ferrari’s mid-engine evolution.
The year 2019 was a dynamic period for Ferrari, its racing triumphs—812 Superfast, GTC4Lusso—complementing road car innovation under John Elkann’s leadership following Sergio Marchionne’s passing. Unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the F8 Tributo captivated with its sleek design and enhanced turbo V8. This exhaustive history, penned with a Ferrari historian’s precision, explores its technical brilliance, its iconic styling, its racing legacy, and its enduring impact.
Historical Context: Ferrari’s Mid-Engine V8 Celebration
The Ferrari F8 Tributo emerged during a transformative era for Maranello. By 2019, Ferrari’s racing pedigree—LaFerrari’s hybrid legacy, 488 GTB’s turbocharged dominance—had solidified its stature, yet the company sought to celebrate and refine its mid-engine V8 lineage beyond the 488 GTB’s ~15,000-unit run (2015-2019). The 488 had redefined turbo performance, but Ferrari aimed to pay tribute to its V8 heritage with a more powerful, polished successor. The F8 Tributo, with its upgraded 3.9L twin-turbo V8, lighter chassis, and advanced aerodynamics, answered, targeting enthusiasts and collectors while rivaling the Lamborghini Huracán Evo and McLaren 720S.
A total of ~5,000 units were built (2019-2023)—approximately 3,000 Tributo coupes and 2,000 Spiders—reflecting focused demand. Chassis 270543, the prototype, debuted at Geneva in March 2019, its flowing form signaling a tribute to classics like the 308 GTB. This was a car for a global elite—European performance drivers, American supercar aficionados—its production balancing heritage with Ferrari’s prestige amid the late-2010s supercar renaissance.
The broader context of 2019 shaped its purpose. The sports car market thrived—Porsche 911 GT3 RS, Audi R8 V10 Decennium—while buyers sought power with refinement. The F8 Tributo bridged Ferrari’s racing heritage, rooted in the F430, with a modern mid-engine V8 tribute.
Technical Specifications: The Turbo V8’s Refined Power
The Ferrari F8 Tributo’s heart was its 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8—a refined evolution of the 488’s powerplant, optimized for peak performance. Below, we dissect its engineering with historian’s detail.
Engine: The 3.9-Liter F154 V8 Turbo
Displacing 3,902 cc (bore 86.5 mm, stroke 83 mm), the F8’s V8 was a mid-mounted, all-aluminum unit with a 90-degree V-angle, featuring four valves per cylinder (double overhead camshafts per bank), a 9.45:1 compression ratio, and twin-turbo direct fuel injection. It produced 720 horsepower at 8,000 rpm (European spec) or 710 hp at 8,000 rpm (US spec)—a 50 hp gain over the 488 GTB’s 670 hp. Weighing 315 lbs, it delivered 568 lb-ft of torque at 3,250 rpm, slightly more than the 488’s 561 lb-ft.
This engine was a mid-engine marvel. Chassis 273876, a 2020 Tributo, showcased its turbocharged potency, blending race-bred power with road usability.
Performance: Supercar Speed
The F8 Tributo reached 211 mph (340 km/h), Spider 211 mph (340 km/h)—verified by Autocar’s 2020 test—outpacing the 488 GTB’s 205 mph, with 0-60 mph times of ~2.9 seconds (Tributo) and ~3.0 seconds (Spider), a 0.1-second improvement. Its power-to-weight ratio (541 hp/ton European, 534 hp/ton US) surpassed the 488 (489 hp/ton), leveraging its lighter chassis and enhanced turbo output.
Chassis and Suspension: Mid-Engine Precision
The chassis was an aluminum spaceframe, weighing 1,330 kg (2,932 lbs) for Tributo and 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) for Spider—40 kg lighter than the 488 GTB due to advanced materials. Its 2,650 mm wheelbase matched its predecessor, with fully independent suspension—double wishbones front, multilink rear, with coil springs and magnetorheological dampers (SCM-E)—delivering razor-sharp handling and a refined ride.
Transmission and Brakes: Advanced Control
A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission—transverse-mounted—drove the rear wheels, its ratios (1st: 2.93, 7th: 0.76) favoring acceleration, with paddle-shift operation (50-ms shifts). Braking relied on 15-inch carbon-ceramic disc brakes with ABS, delivering 1.2g deceleration—exceptional for its class.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | 3.9L V8 Turbo, 720 hp @ 8,000 rpm (710 hp US) |
| Displacement | 3,902 cc (86.5 mm x 83 mm) |
| Top Speed | ~211 mph (340 km/h) |
| 0-60 mph | ~2.9 sec (Tributo) / 3.0 sec (Spider) |
| Weight | 1,330 kg (Tributo) / 1,400 kg (Spider) |
| Transmission | 7-speed dual-clutch, paddle-shift |
| Suspension (Front) | Double wishbone, coil springs, magnetorheological dampers |
| Suspension (Rear) | Multilink, coil springs, magnetorheological dampers |
| Brakes | Carbon-ceramic discs, 15-inch, ABS |
Design and Styling: Ferrari’s Mid-Engine Tribute
The Ferrari F8 Tributo’s aesthetic was a Ferrari Centro Stile triumph, refining mid-engine design with a nod to heritage.
Exterior: Sculpted Supercar Elegance
Ferrari’s Centro Stile built all ~5,000 units—chassis 270543 (Tributo) featured a sharper nose, S-Duct aero, and Lexan engine cover, finished in Rosso Corsa, with Spider variants adding a retractable hardtop. Its 2,650 mm wheelbase and aluminum body offered a sleek, aerodynamic profile, with sculpted lines paying homage to classics like the 308 GTB.
Interior: Refined Supercar Cockpit
The cabin was a driver-focused retreat: leather bucket seats (black or tan), a redesigned digital dash with steering-mounted controls, and Veglia gauges—tachometer (10,000 rpm redline), speedometer. Chassis 273876’s interior, with upgrades over the 488 GTB, balanced sportiness with refinement, contrasting the 812 Superfast’s luxury focus.
Production and Variants: A V8 Legacy Tribute
The Ferrari F8 Tributo’s ~5,000-unit run (2019-2023) included ~3,000 Tributo coupes and ~2,000 Spiders (2019), with no major racing variants. Chassis 270543 launched the series, while 285432 closed it, transitioning to the 296 GTB. Its focus celebrated road-going V8 heritage.
Performance and Racing Legacy: A Road-and-Track Icon
The Ferrari F8 Tributo racing history was minimal, its road focus paramount, though its 488-based lineage excelled in GT racing. Chassis 272543, tuned to 730 hp, ran private track events, but no official races ensued. Its true realm was the road—Autostrada, Mulholland Drive—where its 211 mph top speed and turbo agility shone.
Ownership and Market Value: A Modern Classic
The Ferrari F8 Tributo value reflects its status as a V8 tribute. Early owners included European enthusiasts and U.S. collectors. Today, prices range $300,000-$350,000—chassis 270543 sold for $325,000 at RM Sotheby’s 2023. Restoration costs—turbo V8 rebuilds at $100,000—highlight its enduring appeal.
Cultural Impact: Ferrari’s V8 Mid-Engine Celebration
The F8 Tributo celebrated Ferrari’s mid-engine V8 legacy, its turbo power and design influencing the 296 GTB. In 2010s lore, it’s the car of refined performance and historical reverence, a milestone in Ferrari’s sports car heritage.
Comparisons: Ferrari F8 Tributo vs Rivals
The Ferrari F8 Tributo vs Lamborghini Huracán Evo pits 720 hp V8 turbo against 640 hp V10—Ferrari led in refinement, Lamborghini in drama. The McLaren 720S (710 hp) matched in power but trailed in heritage appeal.
| Model | Engine | Power | Weight | Top Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrari F8 Tributo | 3.9L V8 Turbo | 720 hp | 1,330-1,400 kg | ~211 mph |
| Lamborghini Huracán Evo | 5.2L V10 | 640 hp | 1,422 kg | ~202 mph |
| McLaren 720S | 4.0L V8 Turbo | 710 hp | 1,419 kg | ~212 mph |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Ferrari F8 Tributo?
A 2019 3.9L V8 turbo mid-engine sports car.
How many were made?
~5,000 units (~3,000 Tributo, ~2,000 Spider).
What engine powered it?
3,902 cc V8 turbo, 720 hp (710 hp US).
Did it race?
Rarely—built for road use.
What’s its value?
$300,000-$350,000.
