Leaked photos: Ferrari 488 GTO is lighter but more powerful than GTB model Article by Christian A., on January 22, 2018

There are so many stories circulating about whether Ferrari will be building an SUV or a fully electric model that people seem to be forgetting about Ferrari’s soon to be rockstar - the hardcore 488 GTB that will bring back the “GTO” moniker, which will also likely be the most desirable car to carry the prancing horse logo. In a leaked document by California Air Resources Board, there was a “488 Special Series Coupe” that was listed, so we definitely know that it is on its way.

We are expecting the 488 Special Series Coupe to make its debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show in March. In a recent closed door dealer meeting where the 488 was the main topic, someone seemed to have sneakily took photos of the slideshow that contained juicy information about the said model, which he then shares with a website with content that is mostly focused on Ferrari.

So, what can we expect from the 488 GTO? Here are some things we know. It will likely be equipped with Ferrari’s most powerful V8 engine ever made, giving out the highest power increase compared to a donor car for a V8 special series.

It will have an engine like that of the 488 Challenge, and the updated unit is also going to be lighter than the powertrain inside the 488 GTB, which is also meant to deliver a special “track like sound”. The automaker may not have given us exact specifications of the vehicle’s output, but rumours say that the 488 GTO can give out as much as 700 horsepower.

Furthermore, the model will likely get just the right amount of weight loss. And the reason we know this is because one of the slides in the presentation revealed that the Maranello-based automaker will make use of a lot of carbon fiber all over the car from the front and rear bumpers and hood, to the rear spoiler.

Aside from that, it will be getting a set of alloy wheels that are now 40 percent lighter than those of the GTB. These will be wrapped in new Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires.

The carbon fiber bits are not limited to the exterior, as the Ferrari’s cabin will make use of it too - from the dashboard to the central tunnel. To maximise its weight loss, it will lose its glove box as well, and the floor panels will be made of aluminum. Racing seats will come standard with it too. Lastly, it will be made so that it becomes 20 percent more aerodynamically efficient than the regular version.

It could very well be true that the 488 GTO will be faster than the LaFerrari if all the information in this leaked report is accurate.