GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

Ferrari - 599 - XX

Latest articles for Ferrari 599

Ferrari 599 (599 GTB Fiorano)

599 GTB Fiorano

Make: Ferrari

Model: 599

Released: Jan 1970

Ferrari logo1 Jul 2006

By HAITHAM RAZAGUI

The 456kW 5.99-litre (hence the name) V12-powered 599 took over from its 550 and 575M predecessors.

Built using an all-aluminium body and chassis to deliver a weight/power ratio of just 2.6kg per horsepower, the two-seater 599 coupe employed F1 technology to blast to 100km/h in a claimed 3.7 seconds and to a top speed of more than 330km/h.

At launch, the basic 599 was claimed to be the most powerful V12-engined production car of all time and it came with a pricetag to match.

In September 2009 the Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione (HGTE) package became available in Australia, comprising modified suspension in the form of stiffer springs with a lower ride height, a tauter rear anti-roll bar and new 20-inch split-rim wheels with a unique diamond-cut and matt silver finish, wrapped in stickier-compound tyres.

There was also a new calibration setting for the magnetorheological shock absorbers, which employed a type of smart fluid that would become viscoelastic-solid when magnetised, in a similar way to the Magnetic Ride Control system found on some HSV models, but only when the most aggressive setting was selected on the 599’s Manettino – Ferrari’s selectable suspension and drivetrain system.

A matt black rear diffuser is the GHTE’s only external differentiator but carbon-fibre was the overriding styling theme of the 599’s HGTE-modified interior.

The seats were trimmed in a new two-tone combination of leather with black Alcantara inserts, with the seat backs made entirely from carbon-fibre. A Prancing Horse logo and the words ‘Handling GTE’ were embroidered in contrasting stitching on the head restraints.

They are headlined by a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of just 3.35 seconds. That's down from the standard 599’s 3.7 seconds and 0.05 seconds quicker than Ferrari's new 458 Italia coupe, which is due here mid-year and offers the same 3.4-second 0-100km/h pace as Porsche's latest 911 Turbo.

The Beijing motor show saw the public debut of the 599 GTO, which at 335km/h, eclipsed the 458’s top speed by 10km/h (and the regular 599's by 5km/h). Despite the 'fastest Ferrari road car ever' claim, however, the GTO was not as quick or fast as the mid-engined carbon-fibre Enzo, which had a stated 0-100km/h time of 3.2 seconds and an estimated top speed of 360km/h.

There was no doubting the GTO's impressive weight-to-power ratio of just 2.23kg/hp, though, or its record lap time of just 1:24 at the Fiorano racetrack from which its donor car took its name.

That lap time made the GTO quicker around Ferrari's test track than both the 599 and the Enzo (1:25), thanks to a more powerful iteration of the 599’s 5.999-litre 65-degree alloy V12, a hefty weight reduction and comprehensive chassis and aerodynamic tweaks.

Ferrari said the 599 GTO V12 – described as a street-legal, Euro 5 emissions-compliant version of the track-only 599XX’s engine – delivered 500kW at 8250rpm, which was up 44kW on the 456kW 599 at an extra 650rpm, but down 10kW and 750rpm on the 599XX concept.

There was also a claimed 620Nm of twist available at 6500rpm, which out-muscled the regular 599’s 607Nm by just 13Nm at an extra 900rpm.

Motor industry news

GoAutoNews is Australia’s number one automotive industry journal covering the latest news, future and new model releases, market trends, industry personnel movements, and international events.

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here