The Forgotten Ferrari Prototype The F40 Was Quietly Reverse-Engineered From

A rarely discussed Ferrari prototype may have influenced the lineup that culminated in the F40: the 288 GTO Evoluzione prototype. The piece explains that the FIA enabled Group B racing—introduced in 1982—with far looser rules, requiring manufacturers to build only 200 road-legal models for homologation. Ferrari pursued domination and developed a 650-hp prototype that, despite its promise, was killed before it ever raced. Still, its design and engineering ideas reportedly show up in later models. The article contrasts the standard 288 GTO’s 2.3-liter twin-turbo V8 (400 hp) with the Evoluzione prototype’s 2.855-liter twin-turbo V8 rated at 650 hp, paired to a five-speed manual and designed with a tubular frame and extensive modifications including larger IHI turbos, updated intercooling and Weber-Marelli injection. The prototype was never seen on track, but its DNA was.