The exotic F12tdf was the undisputed queen of the 2015 celebration, aka Ferrari Mondiali, which took place at the Mugello circuit – but it wasn’t the only new hardcore machine on display.

With the 488 GTB having already replaced the 458 Italia in Ferrari’s range, it was only natural for it to do the same on the track. So, starting with the 2016 season, customer teams competing in either the GTE or GT3 class of endurance racing will have a brand new weapon at their disposal.

Like the road-going car, the 488 GTE and GT3 are now powered by a twin-turbocharged, instead of a naturally aspirated, V8 and, of course, they sport the substantial changes made to improve handling and aerodynamics.

“This car’s not easy task is to open a new cycle, after the extraordinary one of the 458 Italia, one of the most successful racing cars in Ferrari’s history”, said Manager of GT Sports Activities GT, Antonello Coletta. “We worked hard on it and continue to do so, because our objective is to have a high performance car that is also easy to drive, as the 458 Italia was.”

Both the 488 GTE and GT3 will roll their wheels in anger for the first time at the grueling 24 Hours of Daytona race, on January 30-31.

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