Ferrari’s Technological Innovations Part 13: The Racing Origins of Three Great Icons – 288 GTO, 288 Evoluzione, and F40

It was 1984 when the Ferrari 288 GTO was introduced. The car, stylistically very similar to the 308 GTB, the "small V8" with a mid-engine layout, and its many turbocharged evolutions, concealed technologies that would play a fundamental role in the development of Ferrari models.

The Ferrari 288 GTO presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1984.

As often happens with Ferrari, the idea originated from racing: in 1978, with the authorization of Enzo Ferrari himself, an Italian specialist in external assistance and support for the company, Giuliano Michelotto, prepared a 308 GTB to compete in rallies under Group 4 regulations. The car proved competitive, finishing second overall in the 1982 Tour de Corse, a qualifying event for the World Rally Championship. Since it was a road-based model, the Maranello team quickly realized how its performance could be significantly improved. Strengthening the chassis would be necessary if the car’s horsepower were greatly increased. Ferrari's relationship with DuPont, which was developing lightweight yet extremely strong materials such as Kevlar and Nomex, made it feasible to turn a road car into a true race car.

The Ferrari 308 GTB prepared by Michelotto finished second overall in the 1982 Tour de Corse.

International regulations had recently introduced a new category, Group C, allowing significant freedom in power output and vehicle weight reduction. Ferrari’s racing department, known as Gestione Sportiva, directly took charge of transforming the 308 into a lightweight, powerful car through extensive use of Kevlar-Nomex and the adaptation of racing suspension and improved aerodynamics. On the engine front, the V8 underwent significant modifications, expanded to 2855cc with new pistons and a revised fuel system featuring twin turbochargers, delivering an impressive 400 horsepower. Thus, the 288 GTO was born.

The 2855cc twin-turbo V8 engine of the Ferrari 288 GTO, delivering 400 hp.

However, the racing destiny of the car was short-lived. The new Group C cars were deemed too dangerous due to several accidents, some fatal, leading to the cancellation of the category from the regulations. This decision came just as the prototype was ready — five units in total — of what would go down in history as the 288 Evoluzione. To understand the Group C spirit, just compare the figures between the 288 GTO and its "Evoluzione": a drop in weight from 1160 kg to 940 kg, a reduction of 220 kg, and an increase in power by 250 hp, reaching a remarkable 650 hp.

The Ferrari 288 Evoluzione, produced as a unique prototype.

These five masterpieces were not energy wasted. Just two years later, in 1987, the F40 emerged from the development of the 288 Evoluzione, becoming the first hypercar in history. It was a car that was already in Enzo Ferrari's mind, as he neared the end of his extraordinary life and wanted to leave behind an everlasting legacy. The success of the F40 is widely known, but its significance in Enzo’s life is less so. In fact, Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari’s president after Enzo's death, decided to create a car bearing the name of the great founder to celebrate the company’s 70th anniversary: the Enzo Ferrari.

The 1987 Ferrari F40, which became a true icon of the Prancing Horse.