Ferrari has unveiled its latest offering for track enthusiasts: the 499P Modificata. This car is essentially a clone of Ferrari’s Le Mans-winning 499P LMH race car, but without any of the racing regulations imposed on it. The 499P Modificata made its debut at Ferrari’s Finali Mondiali event at Mugello Circuit in Italy, alongside the 296 Challenge race car and the one-off SP-8 supercar.
While the production of the 499P Modificata will be limited, Ferrari has not disclosed the exact number of cars that will be available. The new car will be offered through Ferrari’s Sport Prototipi Clienti program, which is part of the client driver program, along with the F1 Clienti program. The price for the 499P Modificata is set at 5.1 million euros, which includes a two-year membership in the Sport Prototipi Clienti program starting in 2024. This membership covers all servicing and logistics for the car, as well as an engineering team for track day events organized by Ferrari.
The 499P Modificata is based on the same carbon-fiber monocoque chassis as the 499P race car. It features push-rod suspension and brake-by-wire technology, allowing the front-mounted electric motor to recover energy under braking. Ferrari has recalibrated the suspension to deliver a more enjoyable driving experience compared to the race car that secured victory at the 2024 Hours of Le Mans.
The track car also comes equipped with special Pirelli tires designed to offer more forgiving handling, improved feedback, and quicker warm-up times compared to the tires used in the race car. The front tires measure 310/710-18, while the rear tires measure 340/710-18.
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However, the most significant change in the 499P Modificata lies in its powertrain. It still features a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine driving the rear wheels through a 7-speed sequential transmission, along with a single electric motor powering the front wheels. Free from racing regulations, the 499P Modificata boasts a peak output of 697 hp (858 hp with the temporary Push to Pass system), surpassing the capped 670 hp of the race car. The track car also benefits from unique engine mapping, delivering more torque in the lower rev range.
Another notable difference from the race car is the removal of the regulation that restricts the use of the front motor above 118 mph. Additionally, drivers are no longer limited in terms of when they can utilize the car’s Push to Pass system. This system provides an extra boost of 161 hp for seven seconds, taking the total output to 858 hp temporarily. However, the usage of the Push to Pass system is still subject to the state of charge in the battery and will automatically deactivate below a certain threshold.
According to Ferrari, the upgrades in the 499P Modificata make it the brand’s highest-performing car outside of a dedicated race car. Furthermore, there may be more versions of the 499P in the future. Apart from the 499P Modificata, Ferrari has filed trademarks for 499 GTB, 499 GTS, and 499 Speciale. These names hint at the possibility of road-going versions of the 499P, with GTB representing coupe models, GTS representing convertibles, and Speciale representing hardcore models.
It is speculated that these names might be used for Ferrari’s upcoming LaFerrari successor, currently undergoing testing. The 499P Modificata, with its impressive performance and exclusive limited production, is sure to entice passionate track car enthusiasts looking for the ultimate driving experience.
