Ferrari F8 Tributo 2019 Review

In the Malaysian sports car market, there are plenty of options for mid-engine rear-wheel-drive sports cars with a price tag of over RM 2 million. However, cars that can balance both track performance and daily practicality remain a niche demand. Positioned as the successor to the 488 GTB, the 2019 Ferrari F8 Tributo 3.9L targets its key selling points as “more powerful performance + better aerodynamics + more comfortable daily driving.” In this test drive, we’ll focus on whether it can truly balance the two identities of a "track beast" and a "daily commuter."

From a distance, the overall silhouette of the F8 Tributo continues the classic proportions of Ferrari’s mid-engine sports cars — short front overhang, long engine hood, and a compact, rearward seating arrangement, offering maximum recognizability. The front end is dominated by the L-shaped air intakes on both sides, which are wider than those of the 488 GTB. Paired with blacked-out LED headlight clusters, the car's aggressiveness is instantly elevated to another level. The body features sleek lines, with aerodynamic key designs such as ducts running from the fenders to the rear, effectively guiding airflow to reduce drag. The 19-inch five-spoke sports wheels (upgradable to 20-inch as an option) paired with red brake calipers add a strong performance vibe visually. The changes at the rear are the most noticeable: a full-length LED taillight cluster is complemented by a diffuser structure below, while an adaptive rear spoiler above automatically raises and lowers depending on speed, providing additional downforce at high speeds. Meanwhile, the quad exhaust layout on either side retains Ferrari's signature roaring sound output.

Sitting inside the cockpit, the interior of the F8 Tributo maintains the typical “driver-focused” layout — both the central screen and control panel are tilted approximately 15 degrees towards the driver for ease of use. In terms of materials, most areas of the center console are covered with Alcantara, while perforated leather is used on the door panels and seats, offering a fine texture to the touch. The multi-functional steering wheel integrates a start button and driving mode selector (WET/SPORT/RACE/CT OFF) on the left side, while the right side houses the paddle shifters and volume control. All commonly used functions can be operated without taking your eyes off the road. Core configurations include a 7-inch fully digital instrument cluster with a clear display that can switch between different mode interfaces, as well as an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports CarPlay connectivity. While the interface response is decent, its functions are relatively limited — after all, entertainment systems are not the focus for sports cars. The seats feature sporty bucket designs with strong lateral support and provide excellent lumbar and thigh cushioning to firmly secure the body. However, the leather is relatively firm, which can make long drives slightly uncomfortable. Fortunately, the seats offer electric adjustments (for recline, height, and front/back positioning), allowing drivers to find a relatively comfortable driving position.

In terms of space, as a two-door two-seater sports car, the F8 Tributo has no rear seats, but the front seating space is adequate — for a 175 cm tall passenger, there’s two fingers’ worth of headroom above and sufficient legroom. Its storage capability is a pleasant surprise: the front trunk has a capacity of 200 liters, enough to fit a 20-inch carry-on suitcase or two sports backpacks, which makes it barely sufficient for grocery runs or short trips. There aren’t many storage compartments inside the cabin; the grooves on the door panels can fit a water bottle, and the center armrest box can only hold a phone and a driver's license. In terms of practicality, it's slightly better than the 488 GTB, but it’s still not comparable to a family car. As for the smaller details, the car is equipped with automatic dual-zone climate control, with compact air vents designed to be sleek and efficient. The cooling speed is quite good, and there is a USB port in the middle of the front seats, making charging relatively convenient.

In terms of power, the F8 Tributo is equipped with a 3.9T V8 twin-turbocharged engine with impressive parameters—a maximum horsepower of 730PS at 7000rpm and a maximum torque of 770N·m at 3250rpm, paired with a 7-speed DCT dual-clutch transmission. In actual driving, the power output in WET mode is very gentle, and the car doesn’t lurch when starting, making it suitable for rainy days or congested urban roads. Switching to SPORT mode, the throttle response instantly becomes more sensitive, and you can feel the acceleration with a light press on the pedal. The official 0-100km/h acceleration data is 2.9 seconds, while actual tests (on dry roads) can achieve approximately 2.8 seconds. Mid-range acceleration (80-160km/h) is responsive and immediate, making overtaking effortless. In RACE mode, the gear shifts become incredibly quick without noticeable delay, and the exhaust note becomes more aggressive—the deep roaring sound is noticeable above 3000rpm, and it sharpens beyond 5000rpm, showcasing the typical Ferrari V8 texture.

Handling is one of F8 Tributo’s strengths. The steering wheel has virtually no dead spots, with precision like an "extension of your fingers," and you can clearly feel the feedback from the front wheels during cornering. The suspension system features adjustable magnetic damping, providing strong support in SPORT mode with minimal body roll during cornering. In RACE mode, the suspension becomes so firm it feels like the car is glued to the ground, suitable for track driving. For everyday roads, the suspension softens in WET mode, filtering out most minor vibrations when going over speed bumps or uneven surfaces, but some feedback from the road remains—after all, this is a sports car, and comfort cannot match that of a family car. The chassis has excellent integrity, keeping the car stable during high-speed cornering without a sense of sway. The mid-rear engine layout creates a nearly 40:60 weight distribution, providing better dynamic balance during turns compared to front-engine rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

Regarding specific tests, we focused on fuel consumption and braking. Fuel consumption performance is mediocre. On congested urban roads (average speed of 25km/h), it’s about 18-20L/100km, while on highways (average speed of 100km/h), it drops to about 10-12L/100km, with an overall fuel consumption of approximately 12.9L/100km, which is roughly consistent with the official data. Braking performance is impressive—the front carbon-ceramic brake discs (optional configuration) provide linear braking power, with a 100-0km/h stopping distance of about 32 meters and no significant heat fade during consecutive braking.

In terms of driving comfort, the F8 Tributo shows noticeable improvement over the 488 GTB. Regarding noise control, at low speeds in urban areas (below 60km/h), tire and engine noise are not particularly loud and are acceptable. At high speeds (above 120km/h), wind noise is noticeable from the A-pillars and rearview mirrors but remains within a tolerable range for conversation. As for seat comfort mentioned earlier, the sports bucket seats offer good support but tend to be firm; driving for more than 2 hours may cause back soreness. However, the air conditioning system performs well, alleviating fatigue to some extent.

In summary, the highlights of the 2019 Ferrari F8 Tributo 3.9L are clear: the power output of the 3.9T V8 engine outshines its rivals in the same class (e.g., Lamborghini Huracán Evo 5.2L), and its aerodynamic design is more refined than the 488 GTB. Its daily driving comfort has also improved. Compared to competing models, its advantage lies in its "balance"—it can outperform most rivals on the track while remaining manageable in urban settings, unlike a pure race car. Its downsides, however, are its relatively high price (RM 1.07 million before options, easily exceeding RM 1.2 million with options) and costly maintenance.

Overall, the F8 Tributo suits two types of people: first, players with track needs who can fully unleash its power and handling potential; second, consumers pursuing a "daily-drivable sports car" as its front trunk space and relatively comfortable suspension tuning can meet occasional commuting needs. If you want a Ferrari that can set lap times on the track and take friends for a cruise on weekends, the F8 Tributo is definitely the top choice in its price range.