Ferrari 488 GTE and GT3 Unveiled

[Chris]

The Scuderia Ferrari GT Program has been typical of Ferrari: Highly successful. That competitiveness and success looks set to continue with the all new Ferrari 488 being adapted to both FIA WEC (GTE/GTLM) and GT3 specifications.

The new additions to Ferrari's fleet have taken to the Mugello circuit in Italy for a media presentation and as part of the Ferrari World Finals (Finali Mondiali). The GT3 and GTE cars will make their debuts in the 2016 seasons of their respective competitions, however it is rumoured that the GT3 variant will be ineligible to compete in the 2016 LiquiMoly Bathurst 12 Hour. The car itself will serve as a replacement for the 458 GT variation; a car that has enjoyed a huge period of success, particularly in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Ferrari 488 GT3​

Whilst the 458 and 488 look markedly similar, the key difference with the 488 compared to its predecessor is the lack of a normally aspirated engine, rather the 488 will be powered by a 3.9 litre, turbocharged V8 engine. Similarly to the way the 458 versions differed, the GTE will produce less power than the GT3, however it will have a more efficient and effective aerodynamic package.

 

[Matheus Machado]

As long as they keep the amazing performance and downshifting sounds I'm very fine with this new black horse!

 

[Tobbe Bergman]

Kunos - Take notes

 

[ThatRacingGuy]

The 2016 Ford GT GTE is ugly.
The New Bmw M6 GTE is ugly.
And the new Bentley isn't the most beautiful car either.

But Ferrari made my day

I like it... I like it alot.....

Vroooooom

 

[Bernd Graf]

This is the test: will Marco give us a Ferrari GT3?

 

[Enzo Fazzi]

Won't this be the only turbocharged GTE spec car?

 

[Matt Y]

The 458 and 488 look way too alike.

And the new Bentley isn't the most beautiful car either

what new bentley?

 

[formidable]

Sounds better the 458 GTE.

 

[Frederic Schornstein]

Won't this be the only turbocharged GTE spec car?

The Ford GT will be turbocharged and I think there will be a GTE version for the BMW M6 that would be turbocharged as well.

Why do they have to turbocharge everything?

 

[Chris]

Why do they have to turbocharge everything?

Most likely for fuel efficiency reasons.

 

[Frederic Schornstein]

Most likely for fuel efficiency reasons.

I guess it is because the street cars also have turbocharged engines. It seems to me that in GT3/GTE you could trick a bit more in terms of BOP with a turbocharged engine. Luckily Mercedes planted the old 6.2L V8 in their new SLS AMG GT which in the street version has a tubrocharged engine.

 

[Enzo Fazzi]

The Ford GT will be turbocharged

How unamerican. We need more 8L V10's

 

[Will Mazeo]

Why do they have to turbocharge everything?

Turbo is nice, but only if we can listen it. Does not seem the case in the 488

 

[Enzo Fazzi]

Why is it ineligible for the bathurst 12h?

 

[David O'Reilly]

Why is it ineligible for the bathurst 12h?

lack of "roo bar" see HERE

 

[Will Mazeo]

lack of "roo bar" see HERE

 

[Leonardo Chaves]

One word: Want.

 

[Frederic Schornstein]

Why is it ineligible for the bathurst 12h?

I would assume that it might not be homologated at that point in time. For example the Lexus RC F GT3 and Mercedes AMG GT3 were both not homologated in the middle of this year, but both entered some of the VLN series races in the experimental class, which allows you to run not homologated cars. Based on the bathurst 12h homepage they use the BoP from the Blancpain Series as the car has never raced so far it won't have a BoP as the race is well before the first Blancpain race in 2016. Bathurst 12h seems to have their own list of what cars they allow.
http://www.bathurst12hour.com.au/si...6-List-of-eligible-automobiles-as-11-9-15.pdf

So I guess a combination of missing BoP and maybe a not finished homologation process.

 

[Cristian Haba]

Stunning car, will be a beast, I think it looks better than the 458 too. Who knows maybe we will get a gt3 version

 

[Andrew Harper]

What a stunning race car, even better we may have some 458's and 488's on track at the same time next year as well

GT3 is so strong at the moment and that's good to see but I have one hope that the costs don't get too much higher than they are now. I remember the mighty GT1's and I miss them greatly but they were ridiculously expensive to run, I can see a car cost cap sooner rather than later.

Looking forward to Blancpain Endurance Series next year though, the field at Monza is gonna be huge.