Ferrari has, apparently, taken their still-in-development (but at least visually complete) hardcore offshoot of the 488 GTB to a private invite-only viewing. Purported to be called the 488 GTO and a successor to the 458 Speciale, reviving a revered name in the Maranello outfit’s history, the car is their response to other track-scorchers of late such as the Lamborghini Huracan Performante and Porsche 911 GT2 RS.
Above is a picture uploaded/leaked the social media - Instagram, in this case - from someone who seemed to have had access to this hushed event. It shows a scarlet red berlinetta that’s definitely had some major work aero done.
A larger air sill is hidden in a depression just behind the car’s nose, possibly to help the car literally suck itself to the ground, and the entire front fascia is made more angular and more aggressive. Though hard to spot, there’s hints of a lowered overall body over the GTB and a carbon fibre chin spoiler hunkering it further.
Probably thanks to the plethora of active aerodynamics at play, with most of the downforce generated through the underbody, Ferrari felt no need to muddy the 488’s clean lines with a fixed rear wing. There are also 20-inch lightweight carbon fibre wheels wrapped in bespoke Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber and, oh yes, a pair of stripes that run down its middle.
Through some other information seeping out of secrecy, we have been able to piece together a clearer picture of what they’ve got cooking here. Sticking with the aero aspect, Ferrari have likely spent a lot of time in their Formula 1 wind tunnel to develop a package that would shame the maximum downforce of the aforesaid Huracan and 911, generating in excess of 350kg.
Despite retaining the same 3.9-litre displacement and twin-turbochargers, the 488 GTO’s powerplant is reported to be derived from the 488 Challenge race car, with its improved internals yielding a 10kg weight reduction and allowing the power figure to rise past 500kW and 800Nm.
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