Ferrari 488 Pista images leaked

    Harder version of 488 GTB surfaces on social media; the track-focused variant is a natural rival to Stuttgart's Porsche 911 GT2 RS

    Published On Feb 20, 2018 05:19:00 PM

    9,935 Views

    Leaked images of Ferrari's soon-to-land track-focused 488 variant appear to show that it will be named the Pista – the Italian word for track; as opposed to the Indian nickname given to a pistachio.

    The pictures, shared on American forum website 'Ferrari Chat', show the car's aggressive aerodynamic changes – including a large front splitter and more prominent rear diffuser. The image of the rear also shows the car's name – 488 Pista.

    Ferrari has refrained from commenting on the images or the Pista name. The brand's only official nod to the upcoming car has come in video form. Footage released last week showed the 458 Speciale successor in action on track at the company's Maranello base.

    All set to become the most hardcore, track-focused Ferrari road car produced, so far, the 488 GTO will use a 709hp engine derived from the 488 Challenge racecar – two models of which are also featured in the video – and will also feature new bodywork which is focused on maximising downforce.

    An earlier leak of technical slides onto the Ferrari Photo Page appeared to mention of a 10 percent lighter engine that is based on that used in the racer – making it the marque's most powerful production V8 yet produced.

    Most likely, the 488's mid-mounted twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 engine will be boosted with increased turbo pressure and internal modifications to produce its anticipated 709hp. Torque would also increase substantially, on the standard car’s 760Nm.

    The 488 GTO is a hotter version of the 488 that will go toe-to-toe with the Porsche 911 GT2 RS. It will, at the end of the day, replace the discontinued 458 Speciale – widely regarded as the best driver-focused Ferrari, to date. The car has been spotted testing outside Ferrari's Maranello base on numerous occasions before the official video release and has been tentatively tipped for arrival at this year's Geneva motor show.

    Expect the 488 Pista to feature an extensive list of carbon-fibre parts for the body and interior. The bonnet, bumpers and rear spoiler will be made from the material; as will large sections of the cabin, including the dashboard.

    Expect the 488 GTO to feature an extensive list of carbon-fibre parts for the body and interior. The bonnet, bumpers and rear spoiler will be made from the material; as will large sections of the cabin, including the dashboard.

    There's also mention of 20-inch wheels made from carbonfibre, saving 40 percent in weight compared with the standard 488 rims. They'll come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber.

    Ferrari tradition suggests engineers will also remove non-essential parts from the interior and sound deadening from the car's engine bay, as well as fitting other lightweight parts such as thinner glass for the windscreen and side windows, and lighter ceramic brakes - like with the 458 Speciale.

    Additionally, the brand's technical boffins will give the car its own unique settings for the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and Slide Slip Control management, with the latter likely to enable even greater angles of yaw before fully intervening.

    Ferrari is yet to verify if the name Pista will be applied to its new model. It was previously rumoured to be called GTO. In the leaked slides, it has been referred to as a 'New V8 Sport Special Series'. GTO has only been applied to three Ferraris, before; the first two of which – the 250 GTO and 288 GTO – were racing machines. The latest iteration was the 599 GTO – a road-legal version of the track-only 599XX, leading many to claim it wasn't worthy of its racing title.

    For this reason, the harder (but still road-legal) 488 could adopt a new tag that continues the trend set by its spiritual forbearers – the 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale. Although unconfirmed, it means the name Pista seems likely.

    Prices for the 488 Pista are expected to increase significantly over the 488 GTB.

     

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