Hardcore Ferrari 488 details leak online

Ferrari’s mid-engined 488 supercar has been on sale for only two years - but it looks like a faster, track-focused version is already on the way.

Leaked images taken from a secret product announcement and posted by Auto Express reveal that the new car will house the most powerful V8 engine the company has ever made.

Dubbed the “V8 Super Sport Series”, the hardcore 488 will be powered by the same 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine from the standard car, the magazine says. However, Ferrari is expected to up the supercar’s power output from 661bhp to around 700bhp.

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Plus, the website's report says the new car’s engine is 10% lighter than the standard road car, while its exhaust system emits a “unique track-like sound”.

The Italian carmaker has also swapped the standard car’s front and rear bumper, bonnet and rear spoiler with carbon fibre equivalents to keep the vehicle as light as possible, says Motor 1.

The weight-saving doesn’t stop there, the website says, as Ferrari will introduce new alloy wheels that are 40% lighter than those on the existing car. These will be fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres to improve grip and traction.

Expect more carbon fibre and a pair of racing seats in the cabin, adds the site, but comforts such as a glovebox and door sills will likely be removed to save weight.

There’s no word on a release date or pricing yet, but Auto Express has posted images of a camouflaged 488 test mule with an aggressive front wing - suggesting the new car’s launch isn’t too far away.