The New Ferrari 488 Pista

Not to be outdone by the likes of any Performante or GT2 RS, Ferrari has announced the hotter track-focused iteration of its V8-powered 488 supercar. Dubbed the “488 Pista”, this rear-engine two-seater follows in the footsteps of the wild 360 Challenge Stradale, the 430 Scuderia, and the late 458 Speciale, by applying proven racing technology to get the most from the car, be it on the street or at the track.

Making an already fast car lighter and more powerful is about as old an idea as the car itself, and with good reason. Compared to the standard 488, the Pista is 90 kg lighter and boasts a power increase of 50 horsepower. Creating some 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, the Pista is rocking the most powerful V8 ever produced by Ferrari and is capable of a claimed 0-100 kph of 2.85 seconds and a top speed in excess of 340 kph.

Creating some 710 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque, the Pista is rocking the most powerful V8 ever produced by Ferrari.

Power and straight-line speed are great, but this is a European supercar, and corners (track or otherwise) are serious business. With new 20-inch carbon fibre wheels shod with custom Michelin rubber, the Pista applies race-derived active aerodynamics to ensure maximum downforce, stability, and grip.

The 488 Pista shares some equipment and technology with Ferrari’s very successful FIA World Endurance Championship 488 GTE race car, including lightweight engine components and specific aerodynamic improvements. Providing a 20 per cent boost in downforce, this advanced application of aerodynamics is arguably the most cutting-edge aspect of the 488 Pista. It will no doubt come in handy as Ferrari starts to take on the lap times and performance figures from other aero-focused models like the Huracán Performante, the 911 GT2 RS, and (soon enough) the McLaren Senna.

As with previous generations, Ferrari has fitted a series of systems in place to manage all of that power and adapt to various road and surface conditions, making the 488 Pista fairly approachable. One such new system is the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE), which actively adjusts brake pressure to provide additional stability, especially at the limit.

With optional stripes and an overall angular look, the 488 Pista debuts an aggressive new hood scoop shape and sharply angled “dolphin-tail” spoiler. Like the 458 Speciale and the 458 before it, the Pista is still recognizably a 488, albeit with a much more hard-core look befitting its race-bred inspiration. Track-focused cars are having a real moment these days, and the 488 Pista is a further evolution of a formula that Ferrari has been perfecting as long as they’ve been building and racing rear-engined V8 supercars.

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