This is the new Ferrari 488 GT Modificata, a track-only supercar. The 488 GT Modificata is based on the Ferrari 488 GTE endurance racer, which in turn is based on the Ferrari 488 road car. The 488 GT Modificata is homologated to compete in Ferrari’s Competitione GT championship. The Modificata looks menacing mean, painted in bright yellow over matte black, with a full race-mode body kit and tiny piercing headlights. The aerodynamic mirror stalks are a work of art!
The new track racer features a a carbon fiber body with an aluminum roof and uprights. Weight has been limited to just 1200 kilo. Ferrari claims a downforce of 1000 kilo at 230 kilometers per hour. Power comes from a heavily reworked variant of the twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8. Output is up to 700 hp and 750 Nm. Gearbox is a 6-speed sequential manual with a carbon fiber clutch. Depending on gearbox settings, top speed is about 320 kilometers per hour and 0-100 takes only 2.8 seconds.
With so much speed, good brakes are what race cars need. The Ferrari 488 GT Modificata is fitted with a Brembo Performance brake system with ABS and carbon ceramic discs. The front brake discs have a diameter of 390 millimeter and a width of 35 millimeter. At the rear, the brake discs have a diameter of 332 millimeter and a width of 32 millimeter.
The brake discs are mated to low-residual torque calipers. Residual brake torque (RBT) is a result of contact between brake disc and brake pads when braking pressure is not applied. The Brembo technique lowers the amount of this ‘useless’ contact to near-zero, resulting in lower drag and thus higher speed, and lower fuel consumption. Like in most modern race cars, the driver is able to change the brake balance of the 488 GT Modificata while competing, whenever necessary.
The Ferrari 488 GT Modificata is the ultimate and also the last purely petrol-powered track car. The next generation will be hybrid, with even more horsepower, far more torque, and with a regenerative braking system. The future for Ferrari’s track day car program looks bright…