The Ferrari 488 Pista is an absolute animal and as this video proves, is not just all about performance on a race circuit.
A gorgeous 2020 example was recently let loose down the 2.7-mile long Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds where it hit a top speed of 212 mph (341 km/h). That is 1 mph (1.6 km/h) faster than Ferrari says the 488 Pista will go and 7 mph (11 km/h) faster than the McLaren 765LT.
The key ingredient in making the Pista so accelerative is its 3.9-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that offers up 711 hp and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm).
Also Watch: Ferrari 488 Pista Beats McLaren P1, Porsche 918 In Anglesey Circuit
Making the car’s top speed particularly impressive is the fact that the 488 Pista is the track-focused variant of the 488 and has been designed with a greater focus on cornering than straight-line performance. In fact, it produces 20 per cent more downforce than the regular model.
On the track, we’ve seen how the Pista’s added downforce, boost in performance, and a multitude of new technologies make it blisteringly quick. Late last year, Evo Magazine took one to the Anglesey circuit and set an astonishing time of 1:10.8. That puts the hardcore 488 ahead of cars such as the McLaren P1, 720S as well as the Porsche 918 Spyder and Porsche 911 GT2 RS.
It’s not uncommon for track-focused variants of mid-engined supercars to have slightly slower top speeds than their ‘standard’ siblings. For example, the McLaren 720S hits 212 mph (341 km/h) while the 765LT is capped at 205 mph (329 km/h) because of the added drag generated by its new aero parts.