As Ferrari follows its thriving heritage, a 488 GT3 race-variant was bound to be confirmed.
Ferrari offered GT-spec, race-only versions of its entry-level, mid-engine supercars back when Montezemolo – while driving a 348 – was still losing races away from the lights to a Fiat-Abarth Strada 130TC.
That said, the Italian car maker has spawned numerous competition versions over the years for the 348, F355, F360, F430 and, subsequently, the 458. Now, according to Top Gear, Ferrari confirmed that a 488 hardcore GT3 variant will debut within the next 18 months.
Mind you, If Ferrari follows its normal racing-development steps, the 488 Challenge will appear before the GT3, in the next 12 months, while the latter will be ready in early 2017. Furthermore, because both Challenge and the GT3 were developed together, the Challenge version – set to compete in the Ferrari Challenge series – won’t stray too far from the committed GT3 racer.
But here’s the interesting part; the FIA GT3 regulations allows a variety of models to be homologated in order to compete in the series, without imposing a particular engine size or layout. But the performance of the cars is regulated by a balance that limits the horsepower rating, weight, engine management and aerodynamics to prevent a manufacturer from becoming dominant in the series.
In other words, the cars competing in GT3-spec must have similar power-to-weight ratios with a weight between 1200 Kg and 1300 Kg and a horsepower rating between 500 Hp and 600 Hp.
That said, don’t imagine the 488 coming with all its 661 horses to the track, or maybe even turbocharged for that matter. In fact, Ferrari might stick with the naturally-aspirated 4.5-litre V8 in this case.
Ferrari 458 GTE and GT3 pictured
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