The 488 GT3 is powered by the same 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine used in the 488 road car. The 2020 Evo update specifies the engine as capable of producing approximately 600 PS (441 kW; 592 hp) and 700 N⋅m of torque, subject to Balance of Performance limitations. The Evo also introduced improvements to front-end aerodynamics, vehicle control systems, and ergonomics, including a new lightweight racing seat developed with Sabelt.
The 488 GT3 made its world competition debut on 17 March 2016 in round 2 of the Australian GT Championship at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, run as a support event to the 2016 Australian Grand Prix. Italian driver Andrea Montermini and Danish driver Benny Simonsen drove for Australian team Vicious Rumour Racing. Montermini finished fifth in race 1 and 14th in race 3; Simonsen took second in race 2 and sixth in the fourth race.
In February 2017, the 488 GT3 won the Liqui Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, run by Maranello Motorsport from pole position. The car remained in the top five throughout the race. This was Ferrari's second victory at the Bathurst 12 Hour, following a previous win in 2014 also by Maranello Motorsport.
In 2021, the Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo won the Pro class at the 24 Hours of Spa, run by Iron Lynx.
The 488 GTE made its competition debut at round 1 of the 2016 WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the 24 Hours of Daytona. The car was entered by Risi Competizione and AF Corse; the Scuderia Corsa entry finished 10th overall and 4th in the GTLM class. At the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, a Risi Competizione 488 GTE finished second; Risi also won the 2016 Petit Le Mans.
In 2017, the 488 GTE won both the FIA World Endurance Championship manufacturers and drivers titles, run by AF Corse. The car additionally finished third at the 2017 12 Hours of Sebring and the 2017 Petit Le Mans with Risi Competizione.
The 488 GTE Evo was introduced early in 2018. In 2019, the #51 AF Corse 488 GTE Evo won the LMGTE Pro class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The same year Risi Competizione won the GTLM class at the 2019 Petit Le Mans and took second at the 2019 24 Hours of Daytona.
The Ferrari P80/C is a track-only one-off commissioned in 2015 and based on the 488 GT3. Ferrari described it as having the longest development time of any Ferrari one-off made to date. The P80/C retains the GT3's mechanical components but uses bespoke aerodynamic elements — a large removable rear wing, large rear diffuser, and front splitter — resulting in a claimed 5% efficiency improvement over the donor car. The KC23 is a further one-off based on the 488 GT3 Evo 2020.
The 488 GT Modificata is a limited-edition track car that draws on technologies developed for the 488 GT3 and 488 GTE, operating outside competition regulations to allow engine output of up to 700 PS (515 kW; 690 hp). It is exclusively for use in track days and Ferrari Club Competizioni GT events.
The 488 GT3 Evo was succeeded by the Ferrari 296 GT3 in 2024.
This article is based solely on the supplied corpus. No external sources were consulted; claims that could not be substantiated against the corpus were omitted under the drop-the-claim rule.
Gallery · 4 related images
