Design and Introduction The racing versions of the 488 GTB are the successors to the
458 Italia GTC and
GT3. They have more aggressive bodywork than the GTE and GT3 specs of the 458 Italia thanks to the new 2016 FIA
GTE and
GT3 regulations. They retain the same engine used in the road car. In 2016, the 488 GTE was entered by
AF Corse in the
FIA World Endurance Championship, competing also in the prestigious
24 Hours of Le Mans, while
Risi Competizione lined it up in the
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Both the 488 GTE and GT3 were designed by
Marco Fainello and unveiled at the 2015 Finali Mondiali Ferrari which took place at
Mugello.
488 GTE |alt= The 488 GTE made its competition debut at round 1 of the
2016 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the
24 Hours of Daytona on 30–31 January. The 488 GTE run by
Scuderia Corsa finished 10th outright and 4th in the GTLM class. At the
2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, the car took second place, ran by
Risi Competizione. The car took victory at the
2016 Petit Le Mans ran by Risi Competizione. The 488 GTE in 2017 took to the track with the first race of the
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the
2017 24 Hours of Daytona, where the car finished third place in the GTLM class, run by
Risi Competizione. In the same year, the 488 GTE won both
FIA World Endurance Championship manufacturers and drivers title ran by
AF Corse, and finished third place also in
2017 12 Hours of Sebring and the
2017 Petit Le Mans, run by Risi Competizione. The 488 GTE Evo was introduced early in 2018 in time for teams competing at the
24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2019, the Ferrari 488 Evo won the LMGTE Pro class in
2019 24 Hours of Le Mans with the #51 AF Corse entry. They also won the GTLM class at the
2019 Petit Le Mans and scored a second-place finish at the
2019 24 Hours of Daytona ran by
Risi Competizione.
488 GT3 The 488 GT3 made its world competition debut in round 2 of the
2016 Australian GT Championship at the
Albert Park Circuit in
Melbourne on 17 March (the round was run as a support category to the
2016 Australian Grand Prix). Italian
Andrea Montermini and Danish driver Benny Simonsen shared the car for Australian team Vicious Rumour Racing. Over the four races that made up the round, Montermini finished fifth in race 1 and 14th in race 3 while Simonsen finished second in race 2 and sixth in the fourth and final race. In February 2017, the 488 GT3 won the
2017 Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, ran by
Maranello Motorsport. The car took the race from the pole position and stayed up in the front for most of the race, and did not fall out of the top 5 throughout the race. This was the second victory for Ferrari at the event. The previous win was in
2014, also won by
Maranello Motorsport. In 2020, Ferrari announced an updated 488 GT3 Evo with improved front in aerodynamics, vehicle control and ergonomics with new lighter seat developed with Sabelt. The engine can produce around and with
limitations. In 2021, the Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo won the
2021 24 Hours of Spa in Pro class, run by
Iron Lynx. In 2024, the Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo was succeeded by the
Ferrari 296 GT3.
488 Challenge The 488 Challenge was revealed at the
2016 Finali Mondiali, with the car making its debut in the 2017
Ferrari Challenge seasons. The engine produces , similar to that of the road car. Upgrades include a reduction in weight, from the engine and from the exhaust. Other improvements are found in the aerodynamics, a revised front bumper designed to improve air flow over the radiators while reducing drag. The rear wing has an
airfoil, similar to that found in the 488 GTE with intakes on the rear to cool the brakes. The gearbox has been changed with shorter gear ratios and a new shift strategy so that the car now accelerates from a standstill to maximum revs in 4th gear in just six seconds. Primary aerodynamic changes are a redesigned front fascia, extending the front overhang to boost downforce and
turning vanes on the splitter, to improve the control and direction of the airflow from the side vents. Additional upgrades for the Evo include new side mirror winglets with endplate diverters improving intercooler air flow. The interior has also seen changes, ergonomics have are improved with a new
ABS management system dial added. The Evo can be purchased directly from Ferrari or as an upgrade kit for existing models. The 488 Challenge was replaced by the
296 Challenge in 2024.
488 GT Modificata The Ferrari 488 GT Modificata is a limited edition car that incorporates the skills and technologies developed for the 488 GT3 and 488 GTE, transcending the limits imposed by technical and sporting regulations to exploit their full potential. The 488 GT Modificata is exclusively for use on the track during track days and at Ferrari Club Competizioni GT events. Its engine can produce up to , more than the restricted variants. == See also ==