Ferrari 208 GTB Turbo (1982-1985)
Turbo-charging had taken a strong foothold in Formula 1 racing and the experience gained on the tracks soon made the leap to production with the 208 GTB Turbo, unveiled at the 1982 Turin Motor Show. The 2,000 cc V8 was given a considerable injection of power that radically transformed its whole character, lending the kind of superb acceleration normally unthinkable in a car of this displacement.
With turbocharging prevalent in Formula 1 at the time, Ferrari decided to adopt it on the Italian market 208 GTB in 1982, to redress the power difference between the 2 litre and 3 litre engines, without increasing the tax burden on the client. Visually the changes to the Pininfarina designed body were very small, there was a deep front spoiler with a row of five horizontal cooling slots just below the radiator grille and the front lid featured a row of satin black finished louvres to increase airflow through the radiator, due to the higher temperatures created by the turbocharging of the engine. On the lower body sides just in front of each rear wheel arch there was a NACA duct, and a spoiler was fitted to the rear of the roof between the buttresses that ran into the rear wings. The tail of the car featured a badge proclaiming “Turbo” and the twin paired exhaust pipes were within shrouds. Pirelli P 7 tyres on 16″ rims were available as an option to the standard metric Michelin TRX tyres.
As with the exterior the interior was virtually identical to the larger capacity 308 GTB model, featuring a pair of leather trimmed bucket seats, whilst the main instruments were contained in a hooded nacelle in front of the driver, who was provided with a three spoke leather rimmed steering wheel. The clock and oil temperature gauge were mounted in a separate panel on the lower left edge of the dashboard. The gear lever in an open gate was mounted in the driver’s side of the centre console, which also contained ancillary switchgear, the handbrake and an ashtray.
The 208 GTB Turbo models had a tubular chassis with factory type reference F 106 DB 100. Disc brakes, with independent suspension via wishbones, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, were provided all round, with front and rear anti roll bars. All models were numbered in the Ferrari odd number road car chassis sequence, with only left hand drive available. Production ran from 1982 through to 1985, during which time 437 examples were produced in the chassis number range 41357 to 59277.
The transversely mid-mounted aluminium V8 engine was essentially of the same design as that used in the 208 GTB model. It was of a 90 degree configuration, with belt driven twin overhead camshafts per bank, having a total capacity of 1991cc, with a bore and stroke of 66.8mm x 71mm, and a compression ratio of 7:1, bearing factory type reference F 106 D 000. The engine was coupled in unit with the all synchromesh five speed transmission assembly, which was below, and to the rear of the engine’s sump. It was fitted with an exhaust driven KKK turbocharger unit with waste gate, Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection and Marelli MED 804A electronic ignition, and had a claimed power output of 220bhp at 7000rpm.
Ferrari 208 GTS Turbo (1983-1985)
Initially there were no plans to produce a targa roof variant on the 208 Turbo, but due to demand from clients the 208 GTS Turbo became available in 1983. As with the fixed roof version, the changes to the Pininfarina designed body relative to the 208 GTS were very small, there was a deep front spoiler with a row of five horizontal cooling slots just below the radiator grille and the front lid featured a row of satin black finished louvres to increase airflow through the radiator, due to the higher temperatures created by the turbocharging of the engine.
A pair of electrically adjustable door mirrors was fitted as standard, there was a NACA duct on the lower body sides just in front of each rear wheel arch, and a spoiler was fitted to the rear of the roof between the buttresses that ran into the rear wings. The tail of the car featured a badge proclaiming “Turbo” and the twin paired exhaust pipes were within shrouds. Pirelli P 7 tyres on 16″ rims were available as an option to the standard metric Michelin TRX tyres.
Internally, the three spoke steering wheel was of a new design featuring a rectangular section around the horn push, and the leather was extended from the rim onto the spokes to provide thumb rests on the upper pair. The centre console featured an instrument panel at its forward end which contained a turbo boost gauge and an oil temperature gauge. The gear lever in an open gate was mounted in the driver’s side of the centre console, which also contained ancillary switchgear, the handbrake and an ashtray. The removable roof panel was stowed in a cover behind the seats when not in use.
The 208 GTS Turbo models had a tubular chassis with factory type reference F 106 DS 100. Disc brakes, with independent suspension via wishbones, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, were provided all round, with front and rear anti roll bars. All models were numbered in the Ferrari odd number road car chassis sequence, with only left hand drive available. Production ran from 1983 through to 1985, during which time 250 examples were produced in the chassis number range 42863 to 59279.
The transversely mid-mounted aluminium V8 engine was essentially of the same design as that used in the 208 GTB model. It was of a 90 degree configuration, with belt driven twin overhead camshafts per bank, having a total capacity of 1991cc, with a bore and stroke of 66.8mm x 71mm, and a compression ratio of 7:1, bearing factory type reference F 106 D 000. The engine was coupled in unit with the all synchromesh five speed transmission assembly, which was below, and to the rear of the engine’s sump. It was fitted with an exhaust driven KKK turbocharger unit with waste gate, Bosch K Jetronic fuel injection and Marelli MED 804A electronic ignition, and had a claimed power output of 220bhp at 7000rpm.
208 Turbo Model Specification
Engine
- Type…………………………….rear, transverse, 90° V8
- Bore/stroke………………….66.8 x 71 mm
- Unitary displacement……248.83 cc
- Total displacement………1990.64 cc
- Compression ratio………..7 : 1
- Maximum power…………162 kW (220 hp) at 7000 rpm
- Power per litre…………….111 hp/l
- Maximum torque…………240 Nm (24.5 kgm) at 4800 rpm
- Valve actuation…………….twin overhead camshafts per bank, two valves per cylinder
- Fuel feed…………………….Bosch K-Jetronic injection, single turbo
- Ignition………………………electronic, single spark plug per cylinder
- Lubrication…………………wet sump
- Clutch………………………..single-plate
Chassis
- Frame…………………………tubular steel
- Front suspension…………independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
- Rear suspension………….independent, unequal-length wishbones, coil springs over telescopic shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
- Brakes…………………………discs
- Transmission……………….5-speed + reverse
- Steering………………………rack-and-pinion
- Fuel tank……………………..capacity 74 litres
- Front tyres…………………..205/55 VR 16
- Rear tyres……………………225/50 VR 16
Bodywork
- Type…………………………..two-seater berlinetta or two-seater targa-top
- Length………………………..4230 mm
- Width…………………………1720 mm
- Height………………………..1120 mm
- Wheelbase…………………..2340 mm
- Front track………………….1460 mm
- Rear track……………………1460 mm
- Weight……………………….1243 kg (dry) 208 GTS Turbo (1983) / 1232 kg (dry) 208 GTB Turbo (1982)
Performance
- Top speed……………………242 km/h
