What Is Ferrari Testing With This Strange Prototype?

Does This 458-based Mule Portend A Hybrid-Powered 488 Speciale?

Ferrari has been known over the years to use cast-off discontinued production cars to test future product, and that appears to be what is happening with this strange beat up 458. The body has clearly been modified with a reshaped front bumper, and larger side inlets to accommodate whatever cooling needs this strange car has. It’s clearly sporting some hardcore tires on a set of 458 Speciale lightweight wheels. On the dashboard is a sheet of paper that reads “F142M M3”. The F142M part refers to the factory’s internal code for the 488 GTB, while M3 could refer to the “third model” following the GTB and the Spider.

The video, captured by Ferrari fan at the factory, opens on the car sitting stationary. The speculation begins with the narrator describing what could be. He postulates that this car could be a new V6-powered Dino prototype. A few minutes later a couple factory workers come outside to start the car up and move it. The engine firing blows his initial theory out of the water, as it is decidedly un-V6-sounding. It was not captured on the video, but the narrator alleges that one of the Ferrari engineers told the other ‘not to engage the KERS’. KERS, as we know is an acronym for “Kinetic Energy Recovery System”, and is a fancy way of saying “hybrid-electric.”

Is it possible that Ferrari are testing a hybrid-powered 488? Well, Ferrari have indicated that their future will be with Formula One-derived hybrid technology, and the La Ferrari has already made quite good use of such tech to increase speed to ludicrous levels. With a turbocharged car, the electric motors can provide torque-fill, can spin the turbochargers even when the car is off boost to promote quicker throttle response, and can provide the instant torque of electric power for insane launches. Ferrari has a lot of ways they could make use of such a model. This could be a track-day focused 488 FXX model. Perhaps we are looking at the next model in the long line of GTOs. It’s possible that this is the 488’s version of the “458 Speciale/430 Scuderia/360 Challenge Stradale”, a hardcore street car that builds on the base car’s strengths.

Whatever this car ends up being, we’re excited about the prospect of an even faster 488. Ferrari fans are already calling their dealers to get on the list, we just know it.

[Source: Marchettino on YouTube via autoevolution.com]