488 Pista Boasts Ferrari’s Most Powerful V-8 Ever

Ferrari releases the first official pictures of the 488 Pista, its new V-8 special making its debut at next month’s Geneva auto show.

The car is the latest in Ferrari’s V-8-powered special series which includes the 360 Challenge Stradale, 430 Scuderia and 458 Speciale.

It has been developed from lessons learned by the automaker’s involvement in the FIA World Endurance Championship where it has won five manufacturers’ titles in the GTE class in the six years since the series’ inception, taking 29 out of 50 races.

The 488 Pista’s extensive weight-saving solutions, along with engine, vehicle-dynamics and aerodynamic developments, all derive from its 488GTE and 488 Challenge racing cars.

Compared with the 488 GTB, the new model weighs an impressive 198 lbs. (90 kg) less to produce an overall dry weight of just 2,816 lbs. (1,280 kg). The 3.9L V-8 boasts an extra 49 hp, the largest-ever increase in engine power for a special series car and making it the most powerful V-8 in Ferrari history with a total output of 710 hp and torque of 568 lb.-ft. (770 Nm).

All this results in a claimed performance potential of a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time of 2.85 seconds and a top speed of more than 211 mph (340 km/h). Fuel-economy figures have yet to be homologated.

Engine highlights include Inconel exhaust manifolds, titanium connecting rods, carbon-fiber intake plenums, twin turbochargers with integrated rev sensors and an air intake line which has been moved from the flanks to the rear spoiler area to ensure a cleaner flow of air.

Aerodynamic racing solutions include the front F1-inspired S-Duct and the design of the front diffusers which feature a ramp angle to create strong suction for increased downforce. The underbody vortex generators have been redesigned, and the rear diffuser incorporates the same double kink as the 488 GTE to increase the air extraction and downforce generation compared with a traditional diffuser.

In addition, the rear blown spoiler is higher and longer and the result is a 20% increase in downforce.

The vehicle-dynamics technologies include both mechanical set-up and electronic dynamic controls integrated into version 6 of the Side-Slip angle control system which incorporates E-Diff3, F1-Trac and the magnetorheological suspension.

One new technology employed is the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer, which uses Ferrari software to adjust the brake pressure at the calipers.

Both the pared-back cockpit and racing livery reflect the car’s track-inspired development, such as the aerodynamic S-Duct at the front which visually shortens the car’s nose, creating an original floating wing effect. This concept is echoed in the dolphin-tail rear spoiler, which appears suspended to provide an impression of lightness and efficiency. There’s also, for the first time on a Ferrari, the option of new 20-in. carbon-fiber wheel rims, while other carbon-fiber parts include the engine cover, bumpers and rear spoiler.