Ferrari has unveiled the limited edition 499P Modificata at Mugello, a car for non-competitive track use, to celebrate the company’s historic return to the top class of endurance racing in the 2023 season. The 499P Modificata is a substantially modified version of the 499P that triumphed in the Centenary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June this year and aims at setting a new benchmark for track driving thrills.
Designed for a very select clientele, the 499P Modificata represents a new kind of project for Ferrari: 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 several 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 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 several events on international tracks every year, with Ferrari taking care of logistics, track-side assistance and maintenance.
The limited edition car sports an all-carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, the 499P Modificata features push-rod suspension, and a sophisticated braking system incorporating brake-by-wire that allows the electric front axle to recover energy during braking.
The mechanical set-up (centrally-mounted shock absorbers and springs, anti-roll bars) has been specially designed to maximise driving thrills and ensure that the car behaves predictably in all conditions. The engine and driveability maps were fine-tuned according to the same philosophy; specific traction control logic was developed to facilitate torque management at the grip limit, and a dedicated start-assist logic was also introduced.
Concerning the 499P, the 499P Modificata uses specific Pirelli tyres that were developed for predictable handling and to maximise feedback in non-competitive driving, making them quick to warm up and promoting consistent grip levels for multiple laps over sheer peak performance.
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 an 858bhp, unhampered as it is by FIA-ACO regulations. The ICE shares the architecture of the power unit fitted to the 296 GT3 but has been completely revised by Ferrari engineers to develop dedicated solutions and lower the total weight.
A particularly distinctive characteristic of the 499P Modificata’s V6 engine is the fact that it is load-bearing, so it performs a valuable structural function, compared to the GT racers where the engine is mounted on a sub-chassis.
The powertrain is equipped with a 268 bhp 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.