Ferrari 499P Modificata: the most expensive new Ferrari ever

Ferrari made a historic return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023, winning the centenary running of the world’s foremost endurance race.

To mark the car that contributed to this unprecedented achievement, the Maranello manufacturer has unveiled the Ferrari 499P Modificata, bringing the Le Mans experience to some of its most loyal and distinguished customers.

In the process, Ferrari has also created its most expensive new car ever: each 499P Modificata carries a price of around €5.1 million.

For exceptionally special clients

As with Ferrari’s XX and F1 Clienti programme models, simply having the money is not enough to secure a 499P Modificata; Ferrari has not revealed how many examples it will build.

Only the marque’s most select and exclusive clients have been invited to purchase one. The car may be driven solely on track, at dedicated events arranged by Ferrari.

This prompted the Cavallino Rampante brand to establish a new programme called Sport Prototipi Clienti. Supported by a Ferrari engineering team, 499P Modificata owners will visit some of the world’s most iconic circuits to make the most of their “toys”.

These events can be considered private track days: owners need only turn up at the circuit, while Ferrari handles everything else, including the car’s storage, preparation and transport.

Ferrari 499P Modificata: more powerful than the Le Mans winner

As its name indicates, the Ferrari 499P Modificata is a modified version of the Ferrari 499P that won at Le Mans, released from the restrictions imposed by World Endurance Championship (WEC) regulations.

Consequently, among other changes, the Modificata version - unveiled at Italy’s Mugello circuit during the Ferrari Finali Mondiali 2023 - is actually more powerful than the car Ferrari raced in the WEC.

At the heart of its hybrid system, controlled through a seven-speed sequential gearbox, is the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 derived from the 296 GT3 engine. It is supported by a 200 kW (272 hp) electric motor mounted on the front axle and an 800 V battery.

In the 499P Modificata, the electric motor can operate from the moment the car sets off. This differs from the racing version, in which the electric unit only came into use from 190 km/h, as required by FIA rules. The alteration means all-wheel drive is available at all times.

Ferrari has also introduced a new Push to Pass system. Activated by a button on the steering wheel, it gives 499P Modificata drivers an additional 120 kW (163 hp) for seven seconds to assist overtaking, raising the hybrid system’s maximum combined output to 870 hp (640 kW).

Under normal conditions, with Push to Pass inactive, the Ferrari 499P Modificata produces a maximum combined output of 707 hp (520 kW) - 27 hp more than the version that won Le Mans.

The tyres are different too

Unlike the prototype that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which ran Michelin tyres, Ferrari worked with Pirelli on the 499P Modificata. The company developed bespoke tyres using a compound derived from those used in Formula 1.

Ferrari has additionally revised the engine mapping and suspension set-up, with both changes intended to optimise this model’s behaviour when used outside competition.