2016 Ferrari 488 Challenge Dimensions, Size & Specs

The Ferrari 488 Challenge’s width of 1945 mm (76.6 inches) plays a critical role in its exceptional handling and stability, especially on racing circuits. A wider track width increases the car's footprint on the ground, which enhances lateral stability during high-speed cornering and improves grip. It reduces body roll and helps maintain traction, ensuring precise control at the limit. This characteristic is essential for a car designed specifically for track challenges, where stability and responsive handling directly affect performance and lap times.

The curb weight of the Ferrari 488 Challenge is 1340 kg (2954 lbs), which is relatively light for a high-performance racing coupe. This lightweight design optimizes the power-to-weight ratio, directly enhancing acceleration, braking, and agility. The reduced mass enables quicker directional changes and improves tire contact with the track surface, providing better feedback and precision for the driver. Consequently, the 488 Challenge's weight supports its purpose as a specialized race car, enabling it to achieve superior lap times and responsive dynamics.

The Ferrari 488 Challenge is equipped with wheels sized 12J x 19 inches at the front and 9.5J x 19 inches at the rear. These sizes correspond to wide rims with strong structural integrity necessary for high-speed racing conditions. The large 19-inch wheels allow for fitting sizable, high-performance tires which provide excellent grip and heat dissipation essential for sustained track use. The staggered setup (wider rear tires) helps in transmitting the power to the asphalt effectively, improving traction and rear stability during acceleration and cornering, making the car more controllable and faster on the track.

Yes, the Ferrari 488 Challenge’s height is just 1203 mm (47.4 inches), which is exceptionally low. This low profile helps to minimize air resistance and lower the center of gravity, both of which are critical for maintaining high-speed stability and aerodynamic efficiency on a racetrack. Compared to similar track-oriented racing coupes, the 488 Challenge is competitive, commonly lower than street-oriented sports cars but similar to other dedicated race variants from Ferrari’s range or competitors like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. This low height enhances the car’s ability to cut through air cleanly and maintain grip through corners.

The Ferrari 488 Challenge fits comfortably within a standard residential garage, given its compact dimensions. With a length of 4587 mm (180.6 inches), width of 1945 mm (76.6 inches), and height of 1203 mm (47.4 inches), it is narrower and shorter than many SUVs or larger sedans but wider and lower than typical compact cars. Most residential garages have a width around 2440–2740 mm (96–108 inches) and a length of about 6000 mm (236 inches), providing ample space for the 488 Challenge. Drivers should be cautious about the car’s width and front splitter when parking, but overall, it fits well into standard garage spaces.

Compared to its predecessor, the Ferrari 458 Challenge, the 488 Challenge has grown slightly in dimensions to cater to enhanced performance and aerodynamics. The 488 Challenge’s length is 4587 mm (180.6 inches), providing a little more space for aerodynamic improvements and cooling. Its width at 1945 mm (76.6 inches) is wider than the 458 Challenge, contributing to better road-holding and stability. The height remains low and similarly aggressive. Additionally, the 488 Challenge features a turbocharged engine unlike the naturally aspirated V8 in the 458, meaning the slight size increase also accommodates this powertrain change. Overall, the 488 Challenge offers improved track capabilities while maintaining a compact footprint.

The Ferrari 488 Challenge compares competitively with other race-focused cars in the GT and track-day category. With a length of 4587 mm (180.6 inches) and width of 1945 mm (76.6 inches), it is slightly larger and wider than some competitors like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (which tends to be narrower) but generally lighter due to its construction and weight-saving measures. Its low height of 1203 mm (47.4 inches) aligns with other race-specialized cars, enhancing aerodynamics and stability. The 488 Challenge’s dimensions, combined with its powerful turbocharged V8 engine and advanced aerodynamics, make it a formidable competitor in the one-make racing series and similar GT racing classes.

The Ferrari 488 Challenge is a race-only coupe variant of the 488 model designed specifically for the Ferrari Challenge race series, produced in 2016. Unlike the regular Ferrari 488 GTB, which is a road-legal supercar, the 488 Challenge is strictly track-focused. It features a stripped-down interior for weight savings, racing safety equipment like a roll cage and fire extinguisher, and aerodynamic enhancements such as a front splitter, rear wing, and diffuser optimized for downforce and cooling. The suspension, brakes, and tires are also upgraded to race standards. The engine is similar but tuned for racing use. Hence, the 488 Challenge prioritizes performance, handling, and safety for competitive racing, differentiating it strongly from the street-legal 488 GTB.

The Ferrari 488 Challenge’s size and weight provide multiple track performance advantages. Its relatively compact length of 4587 mm (180.6 inches) and width of 1945 mm (76.6 inches) create a balanced chassis that is both agile and stable through high-speed corners. The low height of 1203 mm (47.4 inches) reduces aerodynamic drag and lowers the center of gravity, facilitating quick directional changes and enhanced grip. Additionally, the lightweight construction at 1340 kg (2954 lbs) improves the power-to-weight ratio and reduces inertia, allowing for faster acceleration, braking, and precise handling. Together, these factors make the 488 Challenge a highly responsive and competitive car on the racetrack.