The Ferrari 288 GTO was produced from 1984 until 1986 and was the replacement for the Ferrari 250 GTO.  Often referred to as simply the “Ferrari GTO,” the 288 GTO was built to compete in the Group B Race series that was introduced by the FIA in 1982 as a replacement for the Group 4 (modified grand touring) and Group 5 (touring prototype) automobile races.  In order to be accepted to compete in the series, Ferrari was required to produce at least 200 288 GTOs for sale.  Though Ferrari actually manufactured 272 288 GTOs, none ever entered competition because the Group B Race series was abandoned. This was due to the fact that only Porsche and Ferrari entered the competition.

The Ferrari 288 GTO’s engine was a 2.8 litre V8 that featured a Weber-Marelli fuel injection system, twin IHI turbochargers, and intercoolers.  The displacement was 2,855 cc’s and was deliberate because of the FIA’s requirement that the engine’s capacity had to be multiplied by 1.4, giving it a “theoretical capacity” of 3,997 cc’s, which was right below the Group B Race series regulation engine displacement limit of 4.0 liters.

The 288 GTO’s engine was similar to that of the 308 GTB, however unlike the 308 it was mounted longitudinally.  The 288 GTO boasted 400 horse power and a 0-60 miles per hour (96 kilometers per hour) time of a little more than 4 seconds.  It was also claimed by Ferrari that the 288 GTO could reach 0-125 miles per hour (201 kilometers per hour) in 15 seconds and had a top speed of 190 miles per hour (306 kilometers per hour).

Within the 272 Ferrari 288 GTOs that were manufactured, Ferrari produced five of which that were dubbed the “GTO Evoluzione” that featured a more aerodynamic body, more aggressive stance, and increased horse power.  The first of these special models produced a total of 650 horse power but that number was toned far back to 450 horse power when it became known that the Group B Race series had been abandoned. 

The Ferrari 288 GTO was the direct predecessor to other Ferrari supercars such as the Ferrari F40, the Ferrari F50 and the Ferrari Enzo.  Had it not been for the Ferrari 288 GTO those cars would not have been produced.  Sports Car International named the Ferrari 288 GTO as number two in its “Top Sports Cars of the 80s.”