Ferrari · Italy
Ferrari 208 GTB Turbo
1982–1985Three-view archive
Exterior and cockpit.
Museum record
The Ferrari 208 GTB Turbo transformed the smallest production V8 of its era into a landmark performer, becoming Ferrari’s first turbocharged road car and previewing a technology central to the marque’s future icons.
- Engine
- 2.0-liter turbocharged DOHC V8
- Power
- 220 hp at 7,000 rpm
- Top speed
- 150 mph (242 km/h)
- Production
- 437
Why it matters
Unveiled in 1982, the 208 GTB Turbo was engineered primarily for Italy, where cars above two liters faced punitive taxation. Ferrari retained the naturally aspirated 208’s 1,991 cc transverse V8 but added Bosch K-Jetronic injection and a KKK turbocharger, raising output dramatically from 155 to 220 hp. A boost gauge joined the driver’s instrumentation, while a deeper front spoiler, black roof spoiler, additional engine-cover ventilation and a NACA duct ahead of each rear wheel helped identify and cool the new turbocharged berlinetta. Power reached the rear wheels through a five-speed gated manual transaxle, preserving the compact 308-derived chassis and fixed-roof Pininfarina form. Just 437 examples were produced through 1985. Beyond its rarity, the model’s historic importance is profound: it was Ferrari’s first series-production turbocharged road car, opening the technical path soon followed by the 288 GTO and F40.
Private market
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