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We review the Ferrari 488 Spider, and these 9 features are why it is a full-throttle supercar

The Ferrari 488 is powered by a 661-horsepower, 3.9-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Photo: Business Insider
The Ferrari 488 is powered by a 661-horsepower, 3.9-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine. Photo: Business Insider
First Person

  • All it takes is to pilot another Ferrari to fall in love with Ferrari all over again, says Matt DeBord of the 488 Spider

The Ferrari 488 Spider is an absolute marvel of a supercar. In 2016, we drove a stunning racing red 488 GTB (Gran Turismo Berlinetta) coupe. It was so good it nearly nabbed Business Insider’s 2016 Car of the Year award.

In his review of the 488 GTB, Matt DeBord wrote, “Brilliant in a straight line, brilliant in the curves, just brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Fast and tight, the 488 fills you with confidence and makes you a better person.”

Again, DeBord took on the responsibility of reviewing the 488. After a road trip through the Connecticut countryside, he found the Spider to be equally enthralling.

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Here’s a look at the Ferrari 488 Spider’s coolest features:

 1. The steering wheel

The Ferrari 488 steering wheel is very Formula One. Photo: Business Insider
The Ferrari 488 steering wheel is very Formula One. Photo: Business Insider

Ferrari borrows heavily from Formula One in technology and tradition. In the case of the 488, it’s the steering wheel. Ferrari has replaced all of the traditional stalks with steering-wheel-mounted buttons or switches. It’s very F1.

2. The Manettino

The ‘little switch’, or Manettino, drive mode-controller is back after it debuted in the F430. Photo: Business Insider
The ‘little switch’, or Manettino, drive mode-controller is back after it debuted in the F430. Photo: Business Insider

The Manettino translates to “little switch” or “little lever” in Italian and is Ferrari’s steering-wheel-mounted drive mode-controller. It debuted back in F430.