Ferrari 488 pista vs Emira V6

[leofin]

Has anyone had a chance to sit inside or drive a Ferrari 488 GTB or pista version? The cars from exterior look 80% identical in my opinion. What you think?

EDIT: What about the driving part, how different they are?

 

[cyanmauve]

Similar overall shapes.

The design details and proportions are very different.

I think the Emira is a much more organic shape with better proportions.

The Ferrari looks stretched, pinched, and pulled in odd ways.

 

[Citizen]

I have a good friend with a 488 and I’ve driven his car a few times. Starting with the shape of the car, then the performance, the Ferrari interior with carbon details, etc., I’d say you can’t compare wit it, even if at first glance the shapes look quite similar, as you can see in the photo.

But the 488 is wider, longer, and lower, which gives it a more aggressive, sportier look than the Emira.

That said, the Emira is still beautiful, and here in Dubai it probably attracts more looks than a 488, which is more common and doesn’t stand out as much to people who aren’t really into cars.

So yeah, they do look similar, but only within reasonable limits. When it comes to everyday fun, I think the choice could be pretty even.

 

[Six Speed Stephen]

Very similar designs, but I actually like how much less squished the ferrari looks. Also the interior on the Ferrari waaay roomier, which has pros and cons.

 

[Orchardbike]

From purely a looks point of view, the Ferrari edges it for me

There’s a 488 close to me and I see it most days. And again, in the metal it edges it

 

[bshads]

Taking this Q way too seriously as I've been shopping this market and my 296 is arriving in a few days.

Exterior: Though the Emira has the more 458-F8 body shape, the 296 I think is actually much more comparable as it shrunk in length moving from the V8 to a V6. Exterior styling is very subjective, but exterior quality is very different. where you can push on an Emira and feel the plastic tabs moving, that doesn't happen on the Ferraris.

Interior: Not at all similar design philosophy. Ferrari's are much more open, wider, you feel space. Emira is more cockpit approach and more similar to porsche group's design philosophy. Body panels are closer, it feels smaller, tighter, and more compact. Again quality is leagues apart.

Performance: again, no comparison. Lotus 400 hp claim, though with the v6, I regularly saw on dash only up to about 360 at peak, and normally starting a straight in the 100's to 200's... the Lotus is just not there on power. Ferrari's ferrofluid suspension works better in all circumstances. Like in the 296, it feels completely comfortable to do 172+ mph on the back straight at COTA.

Fun factor: Interestingly, here things flip. The Emira has better steering feel, more raw suspension, and you can hit the throttle 100% without worrying about pointing the car backwards. It being a lot lower cost, the care about scrapes and Knicks isn't there, so you take more risk. It's a really weird inversion, but the Emira is significantly more fun. You aren't scared of it.

Overall: Ferrari makes a better car, but the Emira is more fun.

You have to go back to the Ferrari 360 to find a roughly comparable Ferrari to the Emira.... and still then the 360 is a bit better.

 

[Emira Fan]

[anyone had a chance to sit inside or drive a Ferrari 488 GTB]

Drove the 488 on a road course its very, very impressive...brakes top notch. It pulls aggressively, the Emira really doesn't compare. Interior is styled well and IMO it's more premium than the Emira and looks better, especially the wheel and instrument cluster area .
If you are limited in space in your garage I would go with the 488.

 

[OppositeLock]

I've driven the 488 on track, and there is simply no comparison to an Emira. The Ferrari is a much more powerful car, handling is similar, and the materials quality is top notch, but you can have an Emira, a 911 GT3 and a dedicated track car like a Radical for the price of that one 488.

 

[Jinba ittai]

I’ve got give it to the 488, but really - look at the price differential. For the Emira to even come close looks wise is a win.

 

[cyanmauve]

I have never driven a Ferrari of any sort, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

The Lotus just feels special among sports cars. I think part of it is the rarity.

There’s something so very unique about not only the Emira (Evora, Elise, Exige, etc., too) but Lotus the company. The fact that they built and build cars that have that supercar/exotic magic but more for the everyday man makes it unique and desirable. It’s not exactly value for money that I’m talking about. It’s just cool that a relatively small firm with comparatively few resources can make something that is subjectively better in some ways (handling, balance, design) for less money, and not derivative, and unlike anything else on the market. It’s rare to see a focused, niche product that is obtainable.

The Corvette C8 is the winner for the bang-for-the-buck, Everyman sportscar, but it’s a different thing. It doesn’t feel special like an Emira. As good as it is, its broad appeal means that compromises were made. Understandable. What you get for what you pay is fantastic.

Ferrari, by all reports, make a fantastic sportscar. But you would expect them to- they are very, very expensive. I use the term expensive here because cars like the C8 exist. Yes, the materials and design of the C8 may not be as good, but nobody can look down their nose at the engine or suspension tech of the Z06 or ZR1. Or cost of ownership/reliability. Truly world class. I just don’t see how the price delta is justified.

Finally, it seems like a lot of Ferrari owners have their cars because they are seen as exclusive and expensive. In other words, they were bought because someone else told them they “are the best”. Lotus owners seem to purchase their cars because they want them, not as a status symbol or a way to flaunt wealth.

And no, I don’t think all Ferrari owners are just in it for flash. I’m sure there are many “true enthusiasts” who own them, and probably own a Lotus too.

 

[leofin]

Really nice comments and insights from the Lotus enthusiasts who have driven the Ferrari.

I just wanted to add about the horsepower, that an Emira V6 when tuned (just a little bit) has no problem keeping up with a McLaren 570s which has a similar engine with the Ferrari (power wise, a bit lower). My neighbor has one.

About the carbon parts those can be added but sure if the Ferrari’s cabin feels more spacious, that cannot be replicated

 

[OppositeLock]

Where does the Emira have no problem keeping up with that 570S? The baby Mac's corner just as well as Emiras, they weigh less, and they have 40% more power.

 

[Emira Fan]

[I just wanted to add about the horsepower, that an Emira V6 when tuned (just a little bit) has no problem keeping up with a McLaren 570s which]

You're not going to be able to 'bolt-on' enough HP to out pace a 570s or 488 pista Not even going to get close with sub $5k mods. (I wouldn't believe 100 HP gains from a piggyback)

Check the track time these cars and compare to Emira.

Watch A Ferrari 488 Pista Absolutely Rip Through A Nürburgring Lap - Jalopnik

The Ferrari 488 Pista is fast. Very, very fast. But we’re not quite sure how fast, as Ferrari tends to opt out of official lap record chasing and likes to avoid comparison tests with objective performance benchmarks. But Sport Auto, a German car magazine, managed to set a hot lap in the 488...

www.jalopnik.com

A V6 Emira is probably 60 seconds slower; even mods might knock off 5-10 seconds

Our cars are not Ferrari's, they just look like one

 

[leofin]

I was thinking the same specs wise but when on the road it translates differently. The McLaren 570s is faster on a straight line but on the first corners things become even. We've been driving the cars quite a bit and I would not buy a 570s as the Emira V6 is more modern car all-in-all.

EDIT: Sure the Ferrari Pista (720HP) is extra fast.

 

[NJemira85]

Has anyone had a chance to sit inside or drive a Ferrari 488 GTB or pista version? The cars from exterior look 80% identical in my opinion. What you think?

EDIT: What about the driving part, how different they are?

View attachment 74722

I owned a 488 gtb and traded it in for an emira

 

[NJemira85]

[I just wanted to add about the horsepower, that an Emira V6 when tuned (just a little bit) has no problem keeping up with a McLaren 570s which]

You're not going to be able to 'bolt-on' enough HP to out pace a 570s or 488 pista Not even going to get close with sub $5k mods. (I wouldn't believe 100 HP gains from a piggyback)

Check the track time these cars and compare to Emira.

Watch A Ferrari 488 Pista Absolutely Rip Through A Nürburgring Lap - Jalopnik

The Ferrari 488 Pista is fast. Very, very fast. But we’re not quite sure how fast, as Ferrari tends to opt out of official lap record chasing and likes to avoid comparison tests with objective performance benchmarks. But Sport Auto, a German car magazine, managed to set a hot lap in the 488...

www.jalopnik.com

A V6 Emira is probably 60 seconds slower; even mods might knock off 5-10 seconds

Our cars are not Ferrari's, they just look like one

This is an interesting hypothesis. $5k mods I agree. But you can afford $100k mods and still be under 488 price, let alone pista.

With $100k in mods, an emira will make more power than a 488, be lighter, and have dramatically better steering feel.

 

[David s]

[anyone had a chance to sit inside or drive a Ferrari 488 GTB]

Drove the 488 on a road course its very, very impressive...brakes top notch. It pulls aggressively, the Emira really doesn't compare. Interior is styled well and IMO it's more premium than the Emira and looks better, especially the wheel and instrument cluster area .
If you are limited in space in your garage I would go with the 488.

You are right. You would need a garage big enough to house 5 Emiras.

 

[Beachbum]

Dear god, how much !!! You lot are comparing a car 4 times the price of the Emira and then wondering why its not quite as capable
I'll off the comparison of a Trabant to a Focus ST and then see how that comparison works out.

I get the looks are similar, I actually think they look VERY similar, especially from the side, but in no way would I compare them in any other aspect. Its ridiculous to think the Emira could even get close.

 

[geoffbland]

I get the looks are similar, I actually think they look VERY similar, especially from the side, but in no way would I compare them in any other aspect. Its ridiculous to think the Emira could even get close.

Spend €100,000 and get the Juju Club Sport 600 and I bet the Emira would be more than close.

 

[cyanmauve]

but in no way would I compare them in any other aspect. It’s ridiculous to think the Emira could even get close.

Except on steering feel and balance, apparently, where multiple people who have driven both think the Emira apes the Ferrari.