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Ferrari launches 700hp 488 GT Modificata

Limited edition track day heavyweight bridges the gap between GT3 and GTE race cars

By Sam Sheehan / Wednesday, November 25, 2020

If you’re in that frustrating position of wanting a racing 488 that’s not as complicated to run as the GTE machine but faster than the GT3 car, you’re in luck. Ferrari has revealed a new track-only variant to sit between them, called the 488 GT Modificata, which pinches componentry from its siblings in a 700hp package bearing slicks, wings and bucket seats. Best of all, it's not all reined in by Balance of Performance restrictors.

That’s only possible because unlike the GTE and GT3, the GT Modificata isn’t a race car but rather a track machine intended for use at Ferrari’s Club Competizioni GT events. It’s not exclusively for that – buyers could attend circuit car compliant track days, for example – but expect the vast majority of GT Modificata owners to be ‘friends’ of the brand. The sort who’ve already raced in Ferrari’s Competizioni GT or Club Competizioni GT. This is to be their fastest acquisition.

Using the GTE as a base (which finished second to the Aston Martin Vantage GTE at the 2020 24 Hours of Le Mans), the GT Modificata gets the WEC machine’s front and rear suspension, but uses more easily managed Brembo brakes from the 488 GT3 Evo. That means it has ABS software, something the fully fledged Le Mans racer doesn’t get, a feature intended to boost predictability – and obviously reduce the chances of things like a flat spotted tyre.

Another change intended to improve the 488 GT Modificata’s ease of use is a front-biased aerodynamic setup, said to generate more downforce over the nose so the rear becomes more sensitive to wing changes. Presumably, this enables drivers to focus their efforts on aero tuning to the angle of the rear wing, rather than trying to achieve a balance they like while playing with both ends’ features. To help with setup, there’s a V-box system with a USB connector, while a rear-facing camera aids with visibility and a passenger seat is included, so you can scare your mate – or get on-track tuition.

As you’d expect with a low-run Ferrari like this, the GT Modificata comes with a wide range of customisation options for both the exterior and interior. But all will be produced with Ferrari’s turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, with a variety of race-spec upgrades allowing for its 700hp output. That’s about 100hp more than a GTE has once BOP restrictors are added, which should make for quite the track toy. Given that, and the fact this is a special low run car for friends of Ferrari only, pricing is obviously on application only. Shall we say half a million?