Yahoo Autos Is This Ferrari's Test Mule for a Hardcore, Hybrid-Powered 488?
Do you remember the Ferrari 458 Speciale? Yeah, it's special indeed, mostly because it packs the last naturally-aspirated V8 Ferrari built beforeswitching to twin-turbo engines for the California T and the 488 GTB.
Recently, Ferrari managed to merge the 458 Speciale with the 488 GTB to create the one-off 458 Speciale MM, but that bespoke trackday special is still based on the old tech. With the LaFerrari breaking track records using a hybrid drivetrain, it was only a matter of time before Ferrari decided to bestow all that electric torque on its V8 models, and it seems like that might be happening earlier than we thought.
Youtube car spy Marchettino managed to take a good look at this odd Ferrari "F142M M3" just outside the factory. It appears to be a mule wearing the 488's internal name, with 458 body panels punched with giant holes for better airflow. Then, the guys taking taking it away started talking about KERS-the hybrid energy-regenerating system found on F1 cars, and of course, the LaFerrari.
The 488 GTB with bigger turbos, the 458 Speciale's go fast bits and KERS would no doubt equal to something that will almost be as fast as a LaFerrari. Almost. We can't wait to figure out what exactly this test mule is leading up to.
