IT'S name means ‘track' in Italian and the new Ferrari 488 Pista embodies all the experience the legendary Italian marque has gained on the racetracks of the world.

Powered by the most powerful V8 engine in the Maranello marque's history the Pista, which has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, comes with the highest level of technological transfer from racing ever embodied in a special series Ferrari model.

Technically, the 488 Pista brings together all of the experience built up on the world's circuits by the 488 Challenge and the 488 GTE in the most prestigious of all one-make championships, the Ferrari Challenge, in which over 100 drivers do battle at the wheel.

The new car's engine adopts numerous solutions from that of the 488 Challenge but its power output has been increased to 720 cv. It is also lighter, thanks to new titanium con-rods and carbon-fibre intake plenums.

The inverted radiator cooling system is also derived from the Challenge with the radiators raked rearwards improving cooling and maintaining optimal performance levels even in high thermal stress situations.

The car's aerodynamics are derived from both the 488 GTE and from Formula 1, specifically the S-Duct at its front, the rear spoiler and diffuser profiles which boost efficiency by 20 per cent compared to the 488 GTB.

Other solutions have been carried over from the track to shave off further weight, including the lithium battery from the 488 Challenge and also the new carbon-fibre wheel rims - a first for Ferrari. The overall result is that the 488 Pista is an impressive 90 kg lighter than the 488 GTB.

The vehicle dynamics have been designed for unique driving feedback to make the car's full potential available to all drivers, professional or otherwise. The company claims that the 488 Pista offers drivers of all abilities an exceptional and exhilarating experience that normally only a competition car could deliver.