2021 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo #83 Pilots: N. Nielsen, F. Perrodo, A. Rovera Team: AF Corse Race: 25th overall (1st in LMGTE-Am class) at Le Mans in 2021 Looksmart - LM131 (resin)
Published 04/14/23
Ferrari released the 488 (or Tipo F142M, in Ferrari’s in-house designation) in 2016, replacing the (beautiful!) 458. Up until the 458, the last Ferrari with a mid-engine turbocharged V8 was the 1987 F40. The design of the 488 allowed a 50% increase in downforce while decreasing aerodynamic drag. Powering the beast was a twin-turbocharged V8 (Tipo F154 CB) 3902 cm³ capable of 661 hp and 761 N.m of torque. It was very similar to the 458’s V8, however smaller and more powerful. The transmission was a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox manufactured by Getrag, a carry-over from the 458. And to stop the cavalry the 488 counted on carbon-ceramic brakes. All that allowed a 0-60 km/h in 3.0 seconds and a 0-200 km/h in 8.3 seconds. With that, the 488 could reach over 330 km/h. So, the 488 was fast.
Therefore, if the 488 was fast, it would be great as a race car. So soon after the unveiling of the 488, Ferrari began working on the race version of the car. For the 2016 season, and in accordance with ACO and FIA GT LM regulations, Ferrari introduced the 488 GTE. The 488 GTE is a product of Competizioni GT, Ferrari’s in-house race division. Based on the 488’s engine, the GTE counts on a twin-turbocharged 3996 cm³ V8 that delivers “over” 600 hp. And faster than the civilian 488: 0-60 km/h in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 340 km/h. The following year Ferrari announced the release of an upgraded 488 GTE. Though the car didn’t receive structural or mechanical improvements, it received a new aerodynamic package. Ferrari called this “new” car the 488 GTE Evo, and released it in early 2018.
Amato Ferrari (no relation to Il Commendatore) founded AF Corse in 1999. At first the team raced Maserati cars, however in 2006 they switched to Maranello cars. They began competing at Le Mans in 2008, initially in the GT2 class and subsequently in LMGTE-Pro and Am. Their first class win (Pro) came in 2012, followed by many podiums both in the Pro and Am classes. The team became huge at Le Mans, to the point of having a 6(!) car team in 2014. In 2020 they arrived with five cars, and scored one podium in each class. For 2021 they downsized the team to four cars in the race, all 488 GTE Evo. This 488 GTE Evo #83 came in first in LMGTE-Am (25th overall), while #51 came in first in Pro. That was the team’s first LMGTE-Am win.
Well, my first Looksmart… I’m guessing most people would expect this to be a landmark for a 1:43 collector. After all, Looksmart is one of the best-regarded 1:43 brands out there… In fact, I think many rank it only lower than MakeUp/Vision. The 488 GTE #83 here is a true gem – one of my best models, no doubt. Even so, I’m not exactly over the moon with it. Why? Price. And the problem is not Looksmart, but Ferrari, that has outrageous licensing fees. Don’t forget that Ferrari makes more money selling merchandise than they do selling cars…
Putting all that into perspective in 1:43, and being totally blunt, you get a Spark-good model for 50% more 🤨. Yeah, the model has a superb detail level, with crisp details and awesome paint job. Just like you see on a good Spark model. Nonetheless, it costs 50% more and has a poorer base plinth. In summary, though the craftsmanship looks fantastic, FOR ME at least, I can’t see the added value. That being so, I rather stick to Spark. The problem is that if I do so, there won’t be many Maranello cars in the W-143 Garage. Why? Because nowadays only Looksmart has the license to make top-tier 1:43 Ferrari models.
Caveat emptor 🙄.