Description
The Ferrari GTO Evoluzione was developed in the mid-1980s as the ultimate evolution of the 288 GTO, created to compete in the planned Group B circuit racing category. While the original 288 GTO had been homologated for Group B, the Evoluzione was an even more extreme interpretation, pushing technology, aerodynamics, and performance to the limits. Unfortunately, Group B was canceled before the car could race, but the GTO Evoluzione became a crucial stepping stone in Ferrari’s development of the F40.
Under the rear deck sat an extensively reworked version of the 2,855 cc twin-turbocharged V8 used in the 288 GTO. With larger IHI turbochargers, improved intercooling, revised cam profiles, and upgraded electronics, the engine produced around 650 horsepower — a massive increase over the standard GTO’s 400 hp. Combined with a weight of just over 940 kg, thanks to extensive use of Kevlar, fiberglass, and composite materials, the Evoluzione had an extraordinary power-to-weight ratio. Performance figures were staggering for the era, with a top speed of around 370 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 200 km/h in under 10 seconds.
The car’s aerodynamics were radically different from the 288 GTO, signaling the design direction Ferrari would take with the F40. The Evoluzione’s body featured a much wider track, large front splitter, integrated rear wing, deeper side skirts, and massive air intakes for cooling. The profile was lower and more aggressive, with a pronounced emphasis on downforce and stability at extreme speeds. Although it retained some visual links to the 288 GTO, much of its bodywork was unique and purpose-built for racing.
Inside, the GTO Evoluzione was stripped to the bare essentials. A full roll cage, racing bucket seats, and minimal trim underscored its track-only intent. There were no concessions to comfort, as the car was never intended for road use. The focus was entirely on weight reduction, structural rigidity, and driver control at high speed.
Only six examples of the GTO Evoluzione were built between 1986 and 1987, making it one of the rarest Ferraris ever produced. While its racing ambitions were cut short, its technical innovations — particularly in aerodynamics, lightweight construction, and high-output turbocharging — directly influenced the design and engineering of the Ferrari F40, which would debut in 1987.
Today, the GTO Evoluzione is regarded as one of Ferrari’s most fascinating “what if” projects, representing a high point of 1980s racing technology and the direct evolutionary link between the 288 GTO and the legendary F40. Its rarity, performance, and historical significance make it an almost mythical model in Ferrari’s history.