At Ferrari, too, the trend is towards street-legal racing cars. Geneva will soon be the stage for a new launch from Maranello. Not a Ferrari 488 GTO, but the Ferrari 488 Pista, is the worthy heir to the special series V8 – 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale.
The Ferrari 488 Pista differs significantly from previous special series both in terms of sportiness and in terms of the level of technology transfer from the circuit. Pista stands for the "piste" or race track. The new racer from Maranello pays homage to Ferrari's motorsport history.
Ferrari 488 Pista – Born from racing
The weight reduction, together with numerous engine, driving dynamics and aerodynamic solutions, results from two racing Ferraris: 488 GTE and 488 Challenge. The result is an uncompromisingly engineered car that delivers brilliant handling both on the road and on the track. The Pista can also be pushed to the limit, even if the driver does not have much racing experience.
The Ferrari 488 Pista weighs 90 kg less compared to the standard model (dry weight of only 1280 kg). In combination with the largest increase in performance of 50 more hp, this means that the vehicle becomes the new sporty benchmark in its category. It is powered by the most powerful V8 biturbo engine in Ferrari history. A major evolution of the turbocharged engine that won Engine of the Year in 2016 and 2017.
Its V8 is equipped with 720 hp and 770 Nm of torque. It benefits from the weight reduction of the 488 Challenge version. Newly installed are exhaust manifolds made from Inconel, crankshaft with a lighter flywheel, titanium connecting rods and a carbon air box. Its V8 biturbo engine accelerates the Pista to country road speed in 2,85 seconds. The manufacturer specifies its top speed as 340+ km/h.
Also borrowed from the 488 Challenge are the turbochargers with integrated speed sensor and the intake architecture, which has been relocated from the side to the rear spoiler area to benefit from cooler and cleaner airflow.
Torque increases at all revs, providing a continuous and powerful boost with even faster turbo response times compared to the 488 GTB. Despite the increase in specific power. The Pista's sound is unique and unmistakable, extremely sporty and worthy of a special Ferrari version.
New aerodynamics for more driving pleasure
The aerodynamics of the Ferrari 488 Pista use the experience gained on the racetrack for optimal efficiency on the road. The vortex generators on the underside have been revised. The rear diffuser features the same double buckling line as the 488 GTE to increase extraction and load generation capacities compared to a traditional diffuser.
The spoiler was increased in height and extent and the optimization work also included the flow towards the spoiler. The end result of these interventions is a 20% increase in load compared to the 488 GTB.
The high performance of the Pista is also manageable for the layman. Driving fun at the limit was the top priority. This result was achieved through the synergy between the mechanical and electronic development of the vehicle, which found its way into Side Slip Control 6.0. The new system uses a Ferrari software-driven control channel for the first time worldwide, based on the pressure sent to the calipers.
The Italian curve robber
The goal is to optimize the Ferrari 488 Pista's performance in the cornering and exit phases to make it easier, more intuitive and more predictable. The trust that the system conveys to the driver makes it possible to dominate the limits. You act in perfect symbiosis with the car in order to achieve extreme driving performance and driving fun at the highest level.
The design of the new Ferrari 488 Pista is based on the clear legibility of aerodynamic and functional concepts. The interior of the cockpit is more essential and sporty. The designers at the Ferrari Design Center were able to use innovative elements such as the S-Duct aerodynamic duct at the front to visually shorten the front end of the car, creating an original cantilever wing effect.
The racing paintwork, which almost pervades the S-Duct, is an essential stylistic element that emphasizes the compact but powerful forms of the berlinetta. High-contrast contours in the aerodynamic elements on the bumpers and flanks accentuate the design even better.
The front is complemented by the "dovetail" rear wing, which gives a feeling of lightness and efficiency. The rear wing optimally expresses the full power of the vehicle. The optionally available 488" carbon rims also help to reduce the weight of the Ferrari 20 Pista. These can first be found on a Ferrari. The bonnet, bumpers and rear spoiler are made of light carbon.
The new Ferrari 488 Pista will be on display at the Geneva Motor Show 2018, which takes place from March 8th to 18th, 2018.
