458 Challenge a fast, furious track only racer
Ferrari has a stunning new entry in the world of track-only supercar racing.
The 488 Challenge was unveiled at the Ferrari World Finals event at Daytona Speedway in the US and is built for some wealthy owners to race in the marque’s international Ferrari-only challenge series. Lamborghini and Porsche have similar series.
The 488 Challenge is the sixth Ferrari built for the one-make series, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2017.
It is Ferrari’s first ever turbocharged model to race and is the most powerful Challenge car ever, powered by the 3.9-litre V8 derived from the production engine that was the 2016 International Engine of the Year Award.
It is therefore quick, chopping a second off the Fiorano lap time of the preceding 458 Challenge EVO for a new record of 1:15.5 while being a whopping eight seconds faster around the test circuit than a standard 488.
The Challenge’s powertrain features specific engine mapping, optimised for racing performance, and shorter gear ratios. The variable torque management has been modified to prompt the driver to shift up at the ideal moment and the shorter gear ratios are said to provide an "11.6 per cent increase in acceleration of turns compared to the naturally-aspirated 458 Challenge EVO."
The F1 DCT transmission features a new racing shift strategy which enables the car to accelerate from a standstill to maximum revs in 4th gear in just six seconds. Further improvements include a reduction in overall powertrain weight.
However, Ferrari claim the most noticeable changes to the Challenge when compared to the production 488 are in the aerodynamics.
To achieve increased aero efficiency while respecting the design, the engineers worked with the Ferrari Styling Centre. The front radiator layout was reworked, inverting the rake so that they are now inclined towards the rear. This solution improves the air flow over the radiators in racing conditions whilst, at the same time, reducing drag. The new layout required new vents at the bottom of the bumper ahead of the wheels.
The front bumper itself has been redesigned with a more pronounced splitter and flicks to increase downforce and balance the rear load.
The front bonnet is all new with triple vents and integrated flaps to direct the hot airflow from the radiators rearwards. To increase stability at high speeds, the 488 Challenge features a bigger rear wing, with an air foil profile similar to that used on the 2016 FIA World Endurance Championship-winning 488 GTE.
The intakes on the rear flanks now take cooling air to the rear brakes, optimising downforce, while the engine air intakes are now positioned laterally under the rear spoiler, taking advantage of the high pressure generated in this area.
The Daytona event was the Finali Mondiali, a once-a-year, world-gathering of Ferrari faithful. Daytona is the first track in North America to host the event. It is held each year at different tracks around the world. Italian tracks host it on odd-numbered years. The Finali Mondiali goes to different countries during evennumbered years.