21st June 2018, Hong Kong - The Ferrari 488 Pista, shown for the first time in Hong Kong, is the latest generation of Ferrari’s race derived V8-engined Special Series model range. As the successor to the 458 Speciale, the 430 Scuderia and the Challenge Stradale – it will join these models in their legendary and sough after status; well known for their exhilarating handling and race car derived performance.
The Ferrari 488 Pista marks a significant step forward from the previous V8 Sports Special Series in terms of both sporting dynamics and performance, and for the level of technological carry-over from its racing counterpart, the 488 Challenge. The car’s name, meaning “racetrack”, is a direct homage to Ferrari’s unparalleled heritage and origins in motor sport.
The car’s development is derived extensively from the company’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 – and the 25 years’ experience in running the Ferrari Challenge one-make series.
The Ferrari 488 Pista employs extensive weight saving solutions, along with engine, vehicle dynamics and aerodynamic developments that are all featured in its racing counterparts: the 488 GTE and the 488 Challenge. The result is a car with an uncompromising mission: to offer track-like performance for drivers with all levels of experience.
Compared to the 488 GTB, the new model weighs an impressive 90 kg less (1280 kg dry) which, when combined with the largest ever increase in engine power for a special series car (+50 cv), results in a new benchmark for Ferrari’s V8 sports cars.
Delivering 720cv (185cv/l) from its 3.9L power unit, it is the most powerful V8 in Ferrari’s history and is an extreme evolution of the turbo unit that has won the overall International Engine of the Year award titles in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and has been nominated the best engine in the world for the third year.
Thanks to solutions adopted from the 488 Challenge car, including Inconel exhaust manifolds and lightweight crankshaft and flywheel as well as features such as titanium con rods and carbon-fibre intake plenums, the power unit is also substantially lighter than the road going 488 GTB’s.
The 488 Challenge also supplies its race specification turbos, complementing the new design of the air intake route which have been moved from the flanks to the rear spoiler area to ensure a cleaner flow of air. Torque is considerably higher than the 488 GTB at all engine speeds, delivering a feeling of consistently smooth, powerful acceleration and even faster turbo response times, despite the increase in power.
The engine sound and experience is unique and unmistakably Ferrari - one of the defining points of all the V8 Sports Special Series cars. Both the quality and the intensity of the engine and exhaust sound of the Ferrari 488 Pista are noticeably higher than the standard 488 GTB and rise in proportion with the immense increase in power and engine speed.
The Ferrari 488 Pista makes full use of Ferrari’s motorsport experience for maximum aerodynamic performance - even on the road. Among the many race proven solutions included within the Pista’s aerodynamics package is the front mounted F1-inspired S-Duct, and the new design of the front diffusers which now feature a ramp angle that was optimised for the 488 GTE in order to create increased downforce.
With redesigned underbody vortex generators, a 488 GTE derived rear diffuser and an optimised rear spoiler, the final result of all these innovations is an extremely impressive 20% increase in downforce.
The vehicle’s dynamics were designed to enhance driving pleasure and make the car’s full potential available to all drivers of any level of experience. The objective was to make the car’s performance on the limit easier to reach, control and enjoy, achieved by synergies between the mechanical and electrical developments in version 6 of the Side-Slip Angle Control system. SSC 6.0 incorporates all the following systems: E-Diff3, F1-Trac, the magnetorheological suspension (SCM) and, for the first time ever, the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE).
The FDE features a world-first: using proprietary software to adjust the brake pressure at the callipers allowing an additional level of control that further fine-tunes the Ferrari 488 Pista’s handling performance throughout the entire cornering sequence. With the process even more effortless, intuitive and predictable, coupled with new Michelin tyres developed specifically for the car, the extra confidence the system offers means that drivers can now more easily control slide angles, even on the limit. They can also enjoy a completely intuitive relationship with the car, resulting in the perfect combination of extreme performance and driving thrills.
The car’s underlying sense of extreme purpose is also highlighted by Ferrari’s introduction of optional road legal 20” carbon-fibre wheel rims. These complement the other carbon-fibre body parts including the engine cover, bumpers and rear spoiler.
The overall design intention of the Ferrari 488 Pista is focused on functional aerodynamic concepts on the exterior, coupled with a pared back cockpit in keeping with its extreme sports intentions. Ferrari Design used innovative elements, such as the aerodynamic S-Duct at the front, as an opportunity to visually shorten the car’s nose, creating an original floating wing effect. The racing livery colour scheme is an integral part of the design of the car, diving into the S-Duct and underscoring the berlinetta’s compact yet imposing form. The purposeful design ethos is echoed in the dolphin-tail rear spoiler, which appears suspended in order to provide an impression of lightness and efficiency, while the rear down force volumes add a sense of power to the rear of the car and emphasise it’s racing intentions.
A limited number of Ferrari 488 Pistas will be available for the Hong Kong market, selectively offered as a reward to loyal clientele and Corse Clienti racing and track programme participants.
To demonstrate and celebrate the racing derived DNA of the Ferrari 488 Pista, the launch event also showcased the exciting and popular Ferrari Challenge Asia Pacific series that was crucial to the development of the road going Ferrari 488 Pista. Please refer to Corse Clienti Programme information for more details.
Blackbird Concessionaires also proudly displayed the entire current range of Ferrari road cars at the event – Ferrari Portofino, 812 Superfast, GTC4Lusso and GTC4Lusso T, and 488 GTB and 488 Spider. The Ferrari range now offers more opportunities to use and enjoy a Ferrari than ever before, with a full range of body styles and powertrain, including class leading V8 and V12 engines, coupes and convertibles. The Ferrari family now includes luxurious Gran Turismo and versatile and stylish electric hard tops, which all highlight the performance, technology and craftsmanship that define Ferrari.