Ferrari Unleashes Track-Ready 499P Modificata, Breaking Free from Racing Regulations
Ferrari has raised the bar for track enthusiasts by offering them the opportunity to own a modified version of its Le Mans-winning 499P LMH race car. Dubbed the 499P Modificata, this high-performance beast made its debut at Ferrari’s prestigious Finali Mondiali gathering at Italy’s famous Mugello Circuit.
The production of the 499P Modificata will be limited, though Ferrari has not disclosed the exact number of units available. These exclusive cars will be offered through Ferrari’s newly established Sport Prototipi Clienti program, which complements the existing F1 Clienti program under the company’s driver program for clients.
With a price tag set at €5.1 million (approximately $5.4 million), the 499P Modificata doesn’t just come with the extraordinary track car itself. The package includes a two-year membership in the Sport Prototipi Clienti program starting from 2024, complete with all servicing and logistics for the car. Members will also have the luxury of an engineering team available for track day events organized by Ferrari.
The 499P Modificata shares its carbon-fiber monocoque chassis with the 499P race car, featuring push-rod suspension and innovative brake-by-wire technology. This technology enables the front-mounted electric motor to recuperate energy during braking. Ferrari has made adjustments to the suspension to provide a more pleasurable driving experience compared to the race car that claimed victory at the 2024 Hours of Le Mans.
To enhance track performance, special Pirelli tires have been specifically developed for the 499P Modificata. These tires offer improved handling, increased feedback, and quicker warm-up times compared to those used in the race car. With dimensions of 310/710-18 at the front and 340/710-18 at the rear, these Pirelli tires will certainly deliver exceptional grip.
However, the most significant upgrade in the 499P Modificata lies in its powertrain. While it still retains the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 engine and rear-wheel drive configuration, this track monster is no longer bound by racing regulations. As a result, the 499P Modificata boasts a peak output of 697 hp (858 hp with the temporary Push to Pass system), surpassing the race car’s capped 670 hp. Moreover, Ferrari has optimized the engine mapping to provide more torque at lower rev ranges.
One of the prominent changes is the removal of restrictions on the use of the front electric motor, allowing it to operate at speeds above 118 mph. Furthermore, drivers are no longer limited in utilizing the Push to Pass system, which offers an additional burst of 161 hp for seven seconds, taking the total output to an impressive 858 hp. However, this system is still subject to the remaining battery charge and automatically deactivates below a specific threshold.
Ferrari asserts that the enhancements in the 499P Modificata make it the highest-performing car in their lineup, excluding dedicated race cars. And there may be more variants of the 499P in the pipeline. Trademark filings reveal that Ferrari has registered names like 499 GTB, 499 GTS, and 499 Speciale. This suggests the possibility of more road-going versions of the 499P, with GTB and GTS denoting the potential for coupe and convertible models, respectively, while Speciale signifies a hardcore variant.
As testing continues on Ferrari’s highly anticipated successor to the LaFerrari, it remains to be seen whether these names will be linked to that upcoming hypercar. For now, the focus is on the remarkable 499P Modificata, which promises an unparalleled track experience for those fortunate enough to own this masterpiece of Italian engineering.