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The Ferrari GTO, commonly called the 288 GTO, opened the modern Ferrari flagship lineage in 1984. Its familiar-looking silhouette concealed a much more specialised machine than the 308 family that influenced its appearance. The key ingredients were a longitudinal twin-turbo V8, lightweight materials and a competition-inspired development brief.
288 GTO at a glance
| Introduction | Geneva Motor Show, March 1984 |
| Production status | Completed; historic model |
| Production total | 272 examples, according to Ferrari’s historical account |
| Engine | 2,855.08 cc, 90° twin-turbo V8; longitudinal rear-mid layout |
| Power | 400 CV at 7,000 rpm |
| Torque | 496 Nm at 3,800 rpm |
| Gearbox | Five-speed manual |
| Dry weight | 1,160 kg |
| Claimed performance | 0–100 km/h: 4.9 seconds; top speed: 305 km/h |
Why “288” GTO?
Ferrari’s official name was GTO. The familiar 288 designation refers to the approximate 2.8-litre capacity and eight cylinders. It helps distinguish this car from the earlier 250 GTO without making them the same model or generation.
Group B origins and a road-car legacy
Ferrari developed the GTO around the prospect of Group B competition. The cancellation of that category prevented the intended racing chapter, but the road car established a lasting template for an exceptional flagship above the regular range. Ferrari initially planned 200 examples and ultimately built another 72.
The connection with the later F40 is a useful way to understand the GTO today: it begins the turbocharged opening phase of the flagship story. The two cars should still be compared as separate designs, with their own engines, construction details and performance figures.
Sources
Ferrari GTO technical specifications; Ferrari: First of a Kind; Ferrari Legacy Tour announcement.
Explore the flagship family
See where this model fits in our Ferrari flagship timeline, from the 288 GTO through F40, F50 and Enzo to LaFerrari and F80.
Published 27 September 2026. CV means metric horsepower. Performance figures are manufacturer claims; this researched guide is not a road test.