The Power 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista ‘Tailor-Made’ Coupe

The 488 marked a new era for its maker – it was the first volume production mid-engined V8 Ferrari to use a turbocharged engine. Perhaps more importantly, it was only the second mid-engined Ferrari road car to use forced induction – the first being the much revered F40.

At the heart of it all was a new, 3.9-litre Ferrari V8 (F154) that incorporated two twin-scroll turbochargers and two air-to-air intercoolers. The result was a whopping 661bhp at 8000rpm and 561lb ft at 3000rpm, and record specific power outputs for a Ferrari production car, at the time.

However, more was to come, with the Pista variant, launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2018. Power swelled to 710bhp and 568lb ft thanks to revised camshafts, a larger intercooler, beefed up pistons, titanium connecting rods and Inconel exhaust manifolds derived from the 488 Challenge racing programme. The Getrag seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox cut shift times down to 30 milliseconds.

The 488’s already dramatic exterior was heavily revised for the Pista. Large duets in the front bumper directed airflow up and through a large vent in the bonnet, helping to provide more downforce over the Pista’s snout at higher speeds. The air intake tunnels were moved to the rear spoiler to improve air flow, and the 488 GTE racing car helped inform the redesigned underbody and rear diffuser. These aerodynamic revisions added as much as 20 per cent more downforce compared to a standard 488 GTB.

In a bid to reduce weight, the interior was treated to extensive use of carbonfibre and Alcantara. Carbonfibre was also used on the bumpers, bonnet and rear spoiler. This resulted in a 91kg weight saving. Additional gains could be had by specifying the 40 per cent-lighter carbonfibre wheels, made by Carbon Revolution. The results were phenomenal – the Pista could sprint past 62mph in just 2.85 seconds, 124mph in 7.6 seconds and top out at 211mph.

I pictured this particular car at Concours of Elegance 2023 and learned that it was commissioned via Ferrari’s Tailor Made atelier, and manufactured to the client’s wishes with specially selected materials and features. Its livery pays special homage to the iconic Ferrari 250GTO.

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