The Gentleman Magazine Issue 14 | April 2019 | Page 24

The decision was made to use the 488 GT3 chassis as a basis, not
only for its performance, but also for its longer wheelbase (+ 50
mm compared to the 488 GTB) which allowed more creative
freedom. With respect to the Ferrari 488’s classic layout in
which the cockpit tends to be placed centrally, the GT chassis
allowed the designers to emphasis a cab forward-effect in
which the rear is elongated, lending the car a more aggressive,
compact character. This was one of the cornerstones of the
P80/C’s styling from the early stages of the design process.
A decisive wedge shape dominates the side view at the front
of the car. The muscular forms of the front and rear wings
with the cockpit set in between are emphasised by very
broad buttresses that expand towards the side air intakes.
This gives the impression that the cabin is completely fused
with the body, and is accentuated still further by the wrap-
around windscreen which references the iconic look of sports
prototypes of the past. The flying buttresses converge towards
the roof underlining the visor effect of the greenhouse. All of
these features are references not only to the 330 P3/P4 but also
homage to the Dino and the 250 LM berlinettas.
The side windows merge graphically with a wide pocket created
by the side air intakes giving a dynamic downward movement
to the rear flanks. This disruptive line balances the wedge-
shaped front flanks and visually separates the rear section from
the rest of the car.
Seen from above, it is clear that the bodywork is widest over
the front axle, but then narrows sharply, creating a tightly
sculpted waistline around the rear door before broadening
out again dramatically at the tail. This particularly iconic
kind of architecture is also emphasised by flying buttress-type
C-pillars which are physically detached from the cabin. On the
one hand, the C-pillars wraparound the intercooler air intakes,
while on the other, they accentuate the sharp drop in height
between the roof and the surfaces of the rear engine cover.
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Compared to a more normal continuation of the roofline
over the engine cover, a more extreme solution was preferred,
creating a large void rear of the cockpit with a vertical rear
screen.
Aerodynamic development was based on the experience gained
with the 488 GT3, but was not governed by the restrictions
imposed by international regulations. Thus the front splitter is
specific and, while the expansion curve and vortex generators
of the rear diffuser are the same as those used on the GT3, the
external surfaces are all unique to the P80/C. The result is an
improvement of around 5% in overall efficiency, required to
make full use of the unrestricted engine.
The objective was to balance the upper bodywork’s downforce
evenly over the two axles, making full use of the 488 GT3’s
underbody. The configuration of the rear bodywork required
the adoption of an aerodynamic profile that sits immediately
rear of the trailing edge of the roof to provide a strong
recompression of the flow rearwards, reinforcing the downforce
generated by the tail and the wing. This aerodynamic profile
was inspired by the T-wing adopted in Formula 1 in 2017 and
here is designed to reduce the length of the flow over the rear,
creating the effect of a very short ‘virtual’ rear windscreen and
an extremely limited separation bubble.
The front of the car has a catamaran-style formal geometry. The
jutting effect of the nose is underscored by its almost wing-like
shape which the interplay of voids highlights very effectively.
The large radiator air vents are located just behind this wing-
like structure and these outlets over the front bonnet underline
the powerfully muscular wings.
The fact that the P80/C is homologated only for track use meant
that it could do without components that would be deemed
vital in a road car, and which would also heavily influence its
styling. Classic head lights have essentially disappeared.
, Security in Motion”