The upcoming Ferrari 488 GTE has been spied in the midst of testing for the very first time. Pictured here undergoing track testing at the Vallelunga circuit, there’s no mistaking the following 488 prototype for a hardcore, race-focused example.
While it remains unconfirmed, it is reported that this 488 test mule is for the upcoming GTE racer, rather than the 488 Challenge or 488 GT3. It can be differentiated from the road car thanks to a towering rear wing, modified side air intakes, flared wheel arches, racing centre-locking wheels, new wing mirrors, plastic side windows, yellow tinted headlights and prominent canards on the front bumper.
Earlier in the month, it was confirmed the 488 GT3 will be unveiled late next year before making its racing debut sometime in 2017. By comparison, the Ferrari 488 Challenge will be released earlier in 2016.
Due to the following prototype maintaining the side air intakes of the 488 GTB road car, it seems apparent that it has retained the car’s twin-turbocharged 3.9-litre V8 engine rather than using the reliable 4.5-litre V8 of the 458 and its racing versions.
