Ferrari Pista coming to Geneva Motor Show

ABU DHABI: First things first, Pista is Italian for tack. Now, onto the car.

Much like the 360 Challenge Stradale, the 430 Scuderia, and the 458 Speciale, the Pista is the special, lighter and more powerful version of the V8 engine Ferrari 488 GTB. Specifically lighter by 90 kg and more powerful by 50 hp. This means that the 3.9-litre turbocharged V8 now produces 720 hp of maximum power and 770 Nm of torque. The weight reduction is due to Inconel exhaust manifolds, lighter crankshaft and flywheel, titanium con rods and carbon-fiber intake plenums.

This gives the Pista, a Mclaren 720s rivaling, 0-100 kmph time of 2.9 seconds, with a top whack of 340 kmph. The changes run deeper than already mentioned. The turbos now have integrated rev sensors. The air intake is now near the rear spoiler instead of the sides for better air flow. The car also gets race-derived aerodynamics in the form of front F1-inspired S-Duct and diffusers. This works with redesigned underbody vortex generators, rear diffusers and the bigger and higher carbon fiber spoiler inspired from the 488 GTE. Thanks to these changes, it now produces 20% more downforce.

The electronics package for the car is aimed at making the car’s top performance easier to reach. Called the Slide – Slip Angle control or SSC, it’s up to its sixth version now. It includes E-Diff3, F1-Trac, magnetorheological suspension and for the first time ever, FDE or Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer that manages the brake pressure. The 20 inch wheels are also new and made from carbon fiber- another first in Ferrari history. It also uses tires developed specifically for it by Michelin.

While it is going to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show this March, don’t expect to see many on the road. Most of them will either be relegated to private collections or only ever be used on the track. It will also have a price high enough to make a grown man cry.