There seems to be a very strong market developing for cars that are designed never to be driven on the road. Ferrari have been very successful in this area and has produced a number of cars which the owners only ever see or drive when they are delivered to a track.
These cars are made possible by the use of technology in design, manufacture and materials which keeps costs down (relatively speaking, these are still phenomenally expensive cars). As well as the continued growth of super rich people looking for ways to spend their money.
Ferrari’s latest offering is the 499P Modificata, a strictly limited-series car for non-competitive track use. The 499P Modificata is a substantially modified version of the 499P that triumphed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June this year.
Designed for a very select clientele (ie very wealthy), the 499P Modificata is a track-only model developed directly from a racing car rather than a production model, but without the limitations imposed by technical regulations. While the 499P Modificata is based on the 499P, not having to comply with FIA WEC sporting and technical parameters has allowed Ferrari’s engineering team to introduce a number of significant modifications that enhance driving thrills and make the car’s performance more accessible.
The major technical modifications between the 499P Modificata and the 499P include the electric axle and four-wheel drive that can be activated even at low speeds; the “Push to Pass” function, which offers drivers the option of an extra 120 kW of power; specific tyres developed by Pirelli, and a complete recalibration of the suspension set-up, electronic controllers and engine mappings.
The 499P Modificata retains the cockpit, with its single-seater layout, and ergonomics of the 499P, providing clients with exactly the same driving experience as the crews who drove the racing cars #50 and #51 that took the win, Hyperpole and fastest lap in the race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Its obvious derivation from the 499P makes the 499P Modificata the highest-performance closed-wheel car that Ferrari has ever proposed for non-competitive use on the track. The cars will be fielded in the new Sport Prototipi Clienti programme that, from 2024, will run alongside the existing F1 Clienti programme. This enables 499P Modificata owners to participate in a number of events on international tracks every year, with Ferrari taking care of logistics, track-side assistance and maintenance.
The 499P Modificata’s hybrid powertrain combines a mid-rear mounted internal combustion V6 with an electric motor on the front axle. The system can deliver a maximum power output of 640 kW (870 cv), unhampered as it is by FIA-ACO regulations.
The powertrain is equipped with a 200 kW (272 cv) electric motor with a differential and an Energy Recovery System (ERS) which recharges the battery during deceleration and braking. The 800 volt battery pack was developed using the company’s Formula 1 experience. The power unit is coupled to a seven-speed sequential gearbox.
