For Ferrari 488 Pista owners, there’s some unexpectedly good news: the value of their supercar has likely increased, as another such model has met an unfortunate end. Supercar enthusiasts, particularly those fond of the Ferrari 488 Pista, should brace themselves for a distressing tale involving this beloved model and an unplanned swim in a Swiss river.
Local reports indicate that a silver Ferrari 488 Pista fell into the Simme River in Garstattlast, Switzerland, on the afternoon of May 14, 2024. Unlike many supercar accidents, this incident wasn’t caused by reckless speeding. Instead, it seems the driver’s prized vehicle ended up in the water following a mishap on the road.
A photo shared on social media by mnro.garage reveals the Italian supercar partially submerged, its front end jutting out of the water while the rear end was submerged. The local authorities responded swiftly, deploying three vehicles, 16 personnel, and a 33-foot ladder to rescue both the car and its driver. The driver, who had been in the water for around 40 minutes, was unharmed but taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Footage from Instagram user @blick captures the aftermath, showing the driver clinging to the car’s central pillar on the right side. It’s a sobering reminder of the dangers even the most skilled drivers can face.
Introduced in 2018, the Ferrari 488 Pista, which means “track” in Italian, is a high-performance version of the 488 GTB, designed for superior agility and speed. Inspired by the 488 Challenge and 488 GTE race cars, it features a more aggressive design and numerous mechanical upgrades. The Pista’s 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine delivers 710 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, significantly more than the 488 GTB. This power enables the Pista to sprint from 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 211 mph.
Currently, a Ferrari 488 Pista typically sells for around $400,000 in the used car market, with low-mileage examples fetching up to $600,000. Unfortunately, the Pista in question is beyond repair, as the combined damage from the impact and immersion in cold water has sealed its fate.
Elizabeth Puckett 
Shawn Henry