Ferrari is one of those carmakers that don’t just sell you a car; it also lets you play with your purchase. Quite natural as its offerings are playthings for the wealthy. And with all that power lurking under the hood, it is but natural to have a venue to unleash all that potential.
One avenue is the Ferrari Challenge, a one-make race that has seen over 1,000 drivers compete in around the same number of races since the series first saw daylight in 1992. And as it celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2017, the racing series likewise welcomes a new car to join the ranks of the prestigious circle—the Ferrari 488 Challenge.
The Ferrari 488 Challenge is the sixth model to wear the Challenge badge. Following the success of the 458 Challenge EVO, the 488 Challenge has the distinction of being the very first turbocharged Prancing Horse to go racing. This makes it the most powerful offering to date, with a massive 670hp from its 3.9-liter turbo V8. The car also features a more race-optimized engine and transmission setup, with the F1 DCT boasting a racing shift strategy for even quicker response times, useful when exiting corners on track, for instance.
The new Ferrari 488 Challenge also features two separate manettino switches for the electronic vehicle dynamics control. The left-hand switch, for instance, controls the level of intervention, such as how much grip is required, while the right-hand dials in the intensity of intervention. All this, along with the new Slip Angle Control software, allows the driver to customize the handling to his liking.
You can tell that it’s the 488 Challenge by the new front end, with a reworked radiator design that’s angled towards the rear. There are now vents placed before the wheels, while the bumper now features splitters. The front hood has also been given triple vents and flaps, while the new rear strakes feed air to the brakes. All these changes not only make the car look good but also help provide better performance.
The Ferrari 488 Challenge was recently unveiled at the Ferrari World Finals in Daytona. Get to see in action during the Ferrari Challenge this 2017.
