Earlier this month, California Air Resources Board (CARB)-based documentation for its 2018 models revealed Ferrari’s plans for a 488 Special Series Coupe, intimating that a new model – with a designation normally used by Maranello for its most extreme models, such as the 458 Speciale – was set to debut this year.
Now, more info about the car has emerged, via slides from a presentation at a recent dealer annual meeting, revealed by Ferrari Photo Page. Plenty of changes in store for the 488 Speciale (there’s a rumour going about that the car could wear a GTO suffix, as a nod to the 288 of old), by the looks of it.
Supposedly, the new 488 variant will have the highest racing technology transfer on a road-legal Ferrari and be able to offer a “race-like experience even to non-professional drivers.”
Leading the upgrades is an evolution of the 3.9 litre F154 CB unit seen on the regular 488, and the rework will result in the most powerful V8 mill in the brand’s history. No mention of how much the output on this one has been bumped, but it’s stated that the mill will have the highest power increase versus that found on a donor car for a V8 special series (the standard 488’s unit makes 670 PS and 760 Nm). It’s also about 10% lighter than the CB found on the 488 GTB.
The Getrag seven-speed dual-clutch F1 gearbox should be retained, but will employ a new Race gearshift strategy, and the car will also get a new Side Slip Angle Control management system (the 488 GTB employs an older SSC2 variation) and a more direct steering ratio as part of its mechanical revisions.
Exterior changes are led by liberal use of carbon-fibre, with the material making up the composition of the front/rear bumpers, bonnet and rear spoiler. Also on, aerodynamic enhancements, include restyled front ducts on the bumper – this abandons the vertical demarcation slats as seen on the 488 and has both sides of the intakes linking up, as spied in a photo last December.
At the back, a rear diffuser inspired by the GTE racer and redesigned air outlets as well as a load-generating spoiler make up the aero-related changes. The changes translate to a 20% improvement in aero efficiency over the regulation 488 GTB, the company says.
A racing-themed interior brings about minor changes to the cabin. Racing seats go on, and the front end of the dashboard is composed of carbon-fibre, and the material also furnishes the tunnel. Other elements include aluminium floor panels and the omission of the glovebox.
The Special Series Coupe – which is expected to debut in March at the Geneva Motor Show – is set to be dressed with 20-inch, 10-spoke carbon-fibre wheels that are 40% lighter than the standard wheels, and these will be wrapped with new Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres.
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