After Stradale, Scuderia and Speciale, meet the Pista, shown here for the first time ahead of an official unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6th.
Latest in an acclaimed line of go-faster specials from Ferrari – complete of course with go-faster stripes – the Pista (‘track’ in English) is a lighter, more powerful and more aerodynamically dynamic road/racer edition of the 488 GTB, featuring influences from the 488 GTE endurance racer – and with the McLaren 720S firmly in its sights. To match its rival from Britain, the Pista has been subjected to Ferrari’s biggest jump yet between standard coupe and special model.
Power from the 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 has been upped by 49bhp, a larger power gain than that applied to any of the 488 Pista’s 360, 430 or 458 predecessors. There is now a McLaren-matching 720hp – a real 710bhp – on offer at a heady 8,000rpm, with torque gains across the range as well, peaking at 568 lb ft at 3000rpm.
It weighs an equally impressive 90kg less than the 488 GTB, tipping the scales at 1280kg dry. Lightweight engine parts – Inconel exhaust manifolds, lightweight crankshaft and flywheel, titanium con rods and carbon-fibre intake plenums – are central to the weight gain. The Pista also gains carbon engine cover, bumpers and rear spoiler while 20-inch carbon-fibre wheel rims are optional – for the first time on a Ferrari.