Maranello has also confirmed that the car will be dubbed "Pista" which means "track" in Italian, emphasising the uprated 488's sporting links, Ferrari being a company that prides itself on its deep involment on the racetracks of the world and a learning process that evolves from that.

It follows on a well-established pattern of Ferrari producing very high performance mid life V8-engined 'special series' models, the 488 Pista coming in the wake of the previous generations of 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale.

The Ferrari 488 Pista marks a step forward from the previous special series in terms of both sporty dynamics and for the level of technological carry-over from racing. The name is, in fact, a direct homage to Ferrari’s heritage in motor sports.

The car’s development evolved directly from the company’s involvement in the FIA World Endurance Championship – in which it has won five Manufacturers’ titles in the GTE class in the six years since the series’ inception – and its 25 years’ experience in running the Ferrari Challenge one-make series.

The 488 Pista’s extensive weight saving solutions, along with engine, vehicle dynamics and aerodynamic developments, all derive from Ferrari’s racing cars: the 488 GTE and the 488 Challenge. The result is a car with an uncompromising mission: to offer impeccable track-like performance on and off the road, even when in the hands of non-professional drivers.

Lighter and more power

The new model weighs an impressive 90 kg less (1280 kg dry) than the 488 GTB. This fact, combined with the largest ever increase in engine power for a special series car (+50 CV), sets a new benchmark for Ferrari’s V8 sports cars. Some of the new lightweight components will come as optional extras.

Its engine is the most powerful V8 in Ferrari history and is an extreme evolution of the turbo unit that won the overall International Engine of the Year award titles in both 2016 and 2017.

It punches out 720 cv with the highest specific output of in its class (185 cv/l) and is now lighter too, thanks to solutions adopted from the 488 Challenge. As a result, it has a top speed of 340 km/h and sprints from 0-100 km/h in 2.85 secondsand 0 -200 km/h in 7.6 seconds.

The engine sound is unique and unmistakably Ferrari, as such a special car warrants. Both the sound quality and the intensity are higher than the 488 GTB in all gears and at all engine speeds in proportion with the progressive increase in power.

Increased downforce

The 488 Pista makes full use of Ferrari’s motor-sports experience for maximum aerodynamic performance even on the road. Among the racing solutions adopted is the front F1-inspired S-Duct and the design of the front diffusers which feature a ramp angle that was optimised for the 488 GTE to create strong suction for increased downforce. Additionally, the rear blown spoiler is higher and longer and the shape has been optimised. The final result of all these interventions is an impressive 20% increase in downforce compared to the 488 GTB.

Driving

The vehicle dynamics were designed to enhance driving pleasure and make the car’s full potential available to all drivers, professional or otherwise. The objective was to make the car’s performance on the limit easier to reach and control.

This was achieved by synergies between the development of the mechanical set-up and the electronic dynamic controls integrated into version 6 of the Side-Slip Angle Control system. SSC 6.0 incorporates all the following systems: E-Diff3, F1-Trac, the magnetorheological suspension (SCM) and, for the first time ever, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer. The FDE features a world-first: it uses Ferrari software to adjust the brake pressure at the callipers.

Design

The design of the 488 Pista is focussed on functional aerodynamic concepts while the cockpit is pared back in keeping with its very sporty vocation. Ferrari Design used innovative elements, such as the aerodynamic S-Duct at the front, as an opportunity to visually shorten the car’s nose, creating an original floating wing effect.

The racing livery colour scheme is an integral part of the design of the car and the way it dives into the S-Duct underscores the berlinetta’s compact yet imposing forms. Contrasting edging on the aerodynamic elements on the bumpers and flanks add structure to the design.

The concept of the front is echoed in the dolphin-tail rear spoiler which appears suspended to provide an impression lightness and efficiency, while the rear volumes add a sense of power to the tail.

Ferrari 488 Pista - Technical Specifications

ENGINE
Type V8 – 90° twin turbo
Overall displacement 3902 cm3
Max. power output * 530 kW (720 cv) at 8000 rpm
Max. torque * 770 Nm at 3000 rpm in 7th gear

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
Length 4605 mm
Width 1975 mm
Height 1206 mm
Dry weight ** 1280 kg

PERFORMANCE
0-100 km/h 2.85 s
0 -200 km/h 7.6 s
Max. Speed > 340 km/h

* With 98 octane petrol
**With optional lightweight features