Ferrari 488 Pista debuts ahead of Geneva Motor Show

This is the Ferrari 488 Pista, the latest addition to the Italian carmaker’s V8-engined special series of cars, which include the 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale. Like its predecessors, the 488 Pista is based on an existing Ferrari model (the 488 GTB in this case), but with a bevy of enhancements derived from the company’s race cars.

Power comes from an evolved version of the F154 CB engine used in the 488 GTB, with the 3.9 litre twin turbo V8 now producing 720 PS (710 hp) at 8,000 rpm and 770 Nm of torque. This represents a 50 PS increase from the 488 GTB, while torque is also slightly higher by 10 Nm.

These improvements are largely thanks to solutions adopted from the 488 Challenge, including Inconel exhaust manifolds, lightweight crankshaft and flywheel, titanium con rods and carbon-fibre intake plenums. The race car also contributes its turbos with integrated rev sensors as well as the design of its air intake line – moved from the flanks to the rear spoiler area.

Ferrari says the 488 Pista weighs just 1,280 kg (dry), which is 90 kg lighter compared to the 488 GTB, with the engine being one of the contributors to the lower figure. Coupled with the more powerful V8, the new car takes just 2.85 seconds to do the 0-100 km/h sprint, which is 0.15 seconds quicker than the 488 GTB. The 0-200 km/h time is similarly less at 7.6 seconds rather than 8.3 seconds, and the top speed is above 340 km/h.

Ferrari’s sixth version of its Side-Slip Angle Control (SSC) system is present to tame all that power, and includes the following systems: E-Diff3, F1-Trac, magnetorheological suspension (SCM) and, for the first time ever, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE). That last one uses software to adjust the brake pressure at the calipers.

If the revised exterior wasn’t an obvious giveaway, the 488 Pista was designed with aerodynamic performance in mind. The front sports a F1-inspired S-duct, while the front diffusers features a ramp angle (inspired by the 488 GTE) for increased downforce.

Beneath the car, the underbody vortex generators have been redesigned to work with the new rear diffuser, which again takes a page out of the 488 GTE to increase the extraction and downforce generation.

Elsewhere, the dolphin-tail rear spoiler is higher and longer than the one found on the 488 GTB, and is made from carbon-fibre. Other carbon-fibre parts include the engine cover and bumpers, but for a little extra, Ferrari will offer 20-inch carbon-fibre wheels as well. A set of specially-developed Michelin tyres are also part of the package.

Inside, the 488 Pista doesn’t stray that far from a standard 488 GTB, but follows the grand tradition of keeping things lightweight and motorsport-inspired. As a result, a lot of the leather has been replaced with either Alcantara or carbon-fibre, floor mats are not fitted at all, but you do get racing harnesses and bucket seats.

According to its maker, the name ‘Pista’ is “a direct homage to Ferrari’s unparalleled heritage in motor sports,” and translates to ‘track’ from Italian. The 488 Pista will celebrate its public debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.

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