Ferrari 488 Challenge

Ferrari 488 Challenge

Published: December 15, 2016 | By: American Luxury Staff

Ferrari has revealed its 488 Challenge, which is the new model for its Challenge race series, at its recent Finali Mondiali (World Finals) end-of-the-year celebration in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The special Ferrari Challenge exclusive supercar becomes the sixth custom Ferrari model specially made for the amateur racing series and is slated to hit tracks in 2017. All drivers in the special series created for Ferrari fans who fancy themselves amateur race car drivers will use the 488 Challenge to maintain a level of fairness.

The 488 Challenge replaces the 458 Challenge, much like the 488 GTB road-worthy example has ousted the 458 Italia model.

Powering the track turner is the same 3.9-liter, turbocharged V8 that is found in the 488 GTB, making it the first-ever turbocharged Ferrari Challenge model and the most powerful ever created for the race series. Ferrari didn’t reveal specs for the 488 Challenge, but we know the 488 GTB makes 660 horsepower and 570 pound-feet of torque.

There are some differences between the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTB, including a different engine mapping with shorter gear ratios for the dual-clutch transmission, meaning the Challenge can go from stop to maximum revs in fourth gear in just 6.0 seconds flat. Ferrari also gave the 488 Challenge re-worked electronic driving assistance systems, including a new two-phase traction control system.

The Italian automaker will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Ferrari Challenge. Some of the past participants have even gone on to compete in FIA World Endurance Championship races and even the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans.

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