Ferrari vs. Ferrari: the evolution of the V8 lineup from 308 to F8 Tributo
Published on Jan 14, 2026 at 1:45 PM | By Alessandro Renesis
The only thing that’s perhaps more iconic than a Ferrari V12 is a Ferrari V8.
While other manufacturers chase Maranello’s benchmarks, Ferrari is busy trying to outdo its own legacy.
This internal rivalry has fueled nearly 50 years of mid-engine V8 excellence, from the raw, carbureted charm of the 308 GTB to the digital precision of the F8 Tributo.
This is the story of the Ferrari V8.
The original formula: 308 GTB and 328 GTS
The mid-1970s marked a pivotal shift for Ferrari.
Seeking to expand beyond the exclusive V12 grand tourers, the 308 GTB arrived in 1975 as a wedge-shaped masterpiece designed by Pininfarina’s Leonardo Fioravanti.
It wasn’t just a car; it was also a cultural icon, eventually becoming the ‘poster car’ for an entire generation.
The 308 introduced the world to the transversely mounted Ferrari V8, offering an analog connection to the road that felt more intimate than its larger siblings.
In 1985, the 328 GTS refined this formula.
It softened the sharp edges of the 308 and bumped the engine to 3.2 liters, offering better reliability and a more ‘usable’ interior.
Together, these models cemented the idea of the ‘daily supercar’ – a machine beautiful enough for the concours but reliable enough for a weekend getaway.
Precision and passion: Ferrari 355 and 360 Modena
By the 1990s, the Italian automaker knew that style alone wouldn’t win the battle against its own history.
The F355 was a technological tour de force, introducing a revolutionary 5-valve-per-cylinder engine that screamed to an 8,250 rpm redline.
It blended modern aerodynamics with classic proportions, creating what many still consider one of the most beautiful Ferraris ever made.
However, it was the 360 Modena that truly bridged the gap to the modern era.
Replacing the steel chassis with an all-aluminum spaceframe, the 360 was larger and stiffer yet lighter than its predecessor.
Its fluid, curvaceous design moved away from the hidden pop-up headlights of the past, signaling a new focus on high-speed balance and accessibility.
According to many, this was the first ‘modern’ Ferrari.
The modern icons: F430 to 458 Italia
The 360 brought the Italian manufacturer into the 21st century, but the F430 took it one step further and paved the way for Ferrari’s present.
It introduced the E-Diff (electronic differential) and the now-ubiquitous ‘Manettino’ dial on the steering wheel, allowing drivers to adjust the car’s personality with a flick of a thumb.
This era peaked with the 458 Italia.
Widely regarded as the high-water mark for naturally aspirated V8s, the 458 was a masterpiece of sensory overload.
Its 4.5-liter engine produced a 570-hp wail that many still miss today.
To many purists, the 458 represents the last analog supercar with a Ferrari V8.
Turbocharged evolution: 488 GTB and F8 Tributo
Progress is relentless.
And the company’s hunger for progress created the turbocharged with the 488 GTB and its convertible twin.
While the move sparked purist debate over the loss of the high-pitched naturally aspirated scream, the numbers were undeniable, with a massive leap in torque and a 100-hp increase over the 458.
The F8 Tributo serves as the grand finale of this lineage.
As its name suggests, it is a tribute to the V8s that came before it, utilizing the most powerful version of the 3.9-liter twin-turbo engine – the same heart found in the track-focused 488 Pista.
What is Ferrari going to do next?
Ferrari’s V12 is still alive and kicking, but the Ferrari V8 is unfortunately disappearing.
Many new models replaced the V8 with hybrid V6s, which are more powerful but perhaps possess less ‘soul’.
But, at the end of the day, the brand will keep on doing what the market ‘wants’ it to do.
And the market, this is clear, wants V12 engines, but also more V8s.
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