Ferrari teases hard-core 488 to battle 911 GT2 RS

Ferrari has unleashed new footage of an even hotter version of its 488 GTB supercar.

The new trailer, posted on the supercar maker's social media last night, doesn't completely reveal its new Porsche 911 GT2 rival but gives a blurry glimpse of a much-needed faster 488 GTB.

The short vid follows last month's news from Instagram user and Ferrari fan Ferrariphotopage, who posted an image of a completely undisguised version of the car believed to have been teased in the video at a secret VIP unveiling.

According to the blogger, instead of using Speciale, Stradale or even GTO names, the Italian car-maker will call its new McLaren 720S rival the 488 Sport Special Series.

Whatever the name it goes by, the track-developed Ferrari is expected to make a huge impact on the supercar scene.

According to the blogger, weight has been trimmed all-round the 488 GTB, including its engine, which will weigh 10 per cent less than the stock 488 donk.

Look closely and there's a completely redesigned body shell that's made out of carbon-fibre and claimed to be 20 per cent more efficient through the air.

As well as being lighter, the 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8 is claimed to be more closely related to the engine used in the 488 Challenge race car.

That means it should produce around 552kW of power and more than 800Nm of torque – a healthy increase over the regular 488 GTB's 492kW/760Nm.

Channelling the power to the road will be an uprated version of the standard car's seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that will come with a new differential and a completely revised version of Ferrari's side-slip drift mode software.

Other highlights include new carbon-fibre wheels that are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber and save around 40 per cent in weight.

Featuring a new active spoiler and a GTE racer-inspired rear diffuser and front aero blades hat look like they're lifted from an F1 car, the extreme 488 should produce a huge increase in downforce compared to its more road-biased sibling.

It's thought the next time we will see the new hard-core Ferrari is at its official unveiling at the Geneva motor show, although the Italian car-maker has yet to confirm its presence at the Swiss show.