Te s te r s’
notes
Spec advice
Jobs for
the facelift
ROAD TEST
7 AUGUST 2019 AUTOCAR.CO.UK 41
ROAD
TEST
RIVALS
MATT
SAUNDERS
The Pista is
an incredible
driver’s car and one to
celebrate and cherish.
To my mind, it’s not the
very best of its kind
that Maranello has ever
built – but I’d still be very
hard pressed indeed tochoose between this and
a McLaren 600LT.
SIMON DAVIS
Having read just
how quick and
direct the Pista’s
steering rack
is, it was a relief to find
directional changes don’t
feel overly nervous or
intimidating on the road.
They’re still darn fast, but
intuitive and confidence
inspiring, too.
he Ferrari 488 Pista offers an on-track driving experience of incredible pace,
and handling poise that’s more enticing than anything we’ve seen in recent years
from Lamborghini, McLaren or even Porsche. It may not have smashed the
Senna’s dry handling track lap record, and it may not be quicker into three figures than a
720S – but by prioritising accessibility and vivacity of driver appeal, it arguably beats its
rivals for sheer excitement and instant fun factor, without perhaps beating all of them for
deep-lying driver reward.
Compared with its direct predecessor, the car’s greatness will be debated long and hard.
The 458 Speciale was less brutal, but the major components of its driving experience
seemed more harmoniously balanced. The 488 Pista is faster and more visceral, but it’s
different: as though the engine and chassis are in competition for superstar status rather
than acting in perfect harmony. You, as the driver, feel like you are the glue holding
everything together – and having a whale of a time in the process.
Your financial adviser
would probably tell you
to tick every option in the
catalogue. We’d avoid
some of the optional
carbon trim (it gets
excessive) but have thecarbon wheels and Cup
R tyres (£17,381). Worth
every penny on resale.
z Next time, give us more
downforce and stability
before adding extra grunt.
z Think long and hard
before quickening
that steering rack, or
stiffening those springs,
any farther.
z We’d l i ke a s l i g htl y m o r e
comfortable, bolstered
seat and a perfectly
straight driving position.
Price
Power, torque
0-62mph, top speed
CO 2 , economy
1 2 3 45
T
Unmatched in on-track handling vivacity, but not in all other ways
AAAAB
VERDICT
Verdicts
on every
new car,
p82
LAMBORGHINI HURACAN
PERFORMANTE
Massive audible and visible
presence, and huge grip and
speed, with a better chassis than
on any ‘junior’ Lambo ever sold.
AAAAB
£215,000
631bhp, 443lb ft
2.9sec, 202mph
314g/km, WLTP figures tbc
FERRARI 488 PISTA
Incredible V8 engine makes for
other-worldly track pace. As
exciting as they come, albeit
perhaps a bit short on delicacy.
AAAAB
£252,765
710bhp, 568lb ft
2.85sec, 211mph
263g/km, WLTP figures tbc
McLAREN 600LT
Our hardcore supercar class
fave and reigning BBDC champ is
sensational on the road, and not
far short of that on track.
AAAAB
£187,625
592bhp, 457lb ft
2.9sec, 204mph
266g/km, WLTP figures tbc
PORSCHE 911 GT3 RS
One of the last 991-generation
911s still showing on Porsche’s
online configurator. Also just
about the best of the lot.
AAAAB
£141,346
513bhp, 347lb ft
3.2sec, 193mph
303g/km, 20.8mpg
PORSCHE 911 GT2 RS
Weissach’s big swing at the
hardcore supercar is a bit of an
acquired taste. Undoubtedly
fast, but not Porsche’s best GT.
AAAAC
£207,506
691bhp, 553lb ft
2.8sec, 211mph
269g/km, WLTP figures tbc