Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Drivetrain

The Tipo F140 C 6.0 L (5999 cc) V12 engine produces a maximum 620 PS (456 kW; 612 hp), making it the most powerful series production Ferrari road car of the time. At the time of its introduction, this was one of the few engines whose output exceeded 100 hp per liter of displacement without any sort of forced-induction mechanism such as supercharging or turbocharging. Its 608 N·m (448 ft·lbf) of torque was also a record for Ferrari's GT cars. Most of the modifications to the engine were done to allow it to fit in the Fiorano's engine bay (the original Enzo version could be taller as it would not block forward vision due to its mid-mounted position).

A traditional 6-speed manual transmission as well as Ferrari's 6-speed called "F1 SuperFast" is offered. The Fiorano also sees the debut of Ferrari's new traction control system, F1-Trac. The vast majority of the 599 GTB's have been equipped with the semi-automatic gearbox as apposed to the manual 6-speed gearbox. Only 30 examples have been produced with a manual gearbox of which 20 were destined to the United States and 10 remained in Europe.

Performance

Performance claimed by Ferrari.

HGTE Package

The full name is Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE. An upgrade that improves the car's handling, meaning Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione, includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as new calibration settings for the Delphi MagneRide magneto-rheological shock absorbers when the manettino is at its sportier settings. The ride height has also been lowered, which lowers the car's center of gravity. The package also includes optimised tyres featuring a compound that offers improved grip. The car's electronics have also changed. The gearbox's shifts are faster in high-performance settings, while new engine software improved accelerator response. The exhaust silencer was modified to produce more marked and thrilling sound under hard usage while still delivering just the right comfort levels at cruising speed. The exterior and interior were upgraded with more carbon fiber components and it also includes new 20-inch wheels.

599 GTO

On 8 April 2010, Ferrari announced official details of the 599 GTO. The car is a road-going version of the 599XX and at the time Ferrari claimed that the 599 GTO was their fastest ever road car, able to lap the Fiorano test circuit in 1 minute 24 seconds, one second faster than the Ferrari Enzo. Its engine produces 670 PS (493 kW; 661 bhp) at 8250 rpm, with 620 N·m (460 lb·ft) of torque at 6500 rpm. Ferrari claims the 599 GTO can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) in under 3.3 seconds and has a top speed of over 335 km/h (208 mph). At 1,605 kilograms (3,538 lb), the 599 GTO weighs almost 100 kg (220 lb) less than the standard GTB. Production is limited to 599 cars. Of these, approximately 125 were produced for the United States market. Ferrari has given only two other models that used the GTO designation: the 1962 250 GTO and the 1984 288 GTO. Unlike the previous GTOs however, the 599 GTO was not designed for homologation in any racing series.

599 SA Aperta

The convertible version of the 599, the SA Aperta, was introduced 2010 Paris Motor Show as a unique limited edition in honor of designers Sergio Pininfarina and Andrea Pininfarina. Only 80 examples were released. The SA Aperta used the higher performance engine from the 599 GTO.

599XX

The 599XX is a car designed for track use only and is not street legal, based on 599 GTB. The rev limiter is raised to 9000 rpm, with the engine rated for 730 PS (540 kW; 720 hp) at 9000 rpm. Weight is reduced by reducing the weight of the engine unit components, the use of composite materials, and the use of carbon-fiber body parts and brake pads. A new gearbox shift strategy is introduced to cut overall gear change time to 60 ms. Aerodynamics were retuned to give more downforce (280 kg (617 lb) at 200 km/h, 630 kg (1,389 lb) at 300 km/h). The car also includes 29/67 R19 front and 31/71 R19 rear tyres with 19 × 11J wheel rims at the front and 19 × 12J at the rear.

The car was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.

Ferrari announced at the 2010 Beijing International Auto Show that the 599XX had completed the Nordschleife circuit at the Nürburgring in a time of 6 minutes and 58.16 seconds - the fastest time ever recorded for a production-derived sports car. (video here)

599XX Evoluzione

On November 10, 2011, the first images of the 599XX Evoluzione surfaced, featuring a radically restyled aero and exhaust package as well as electronic upgrades and Pirelli tyres. On 1 December 2011 Ferrari confirmed details for the 599XX "with evolution package" in preparation for the 2011 Bologna Motor Show. It weighs 35 kg less than a standard 599XX and has slightly improved peak power (740 bhp) and torque (700 Nm). One of the key features of the Evoluzione is its active rear wing which can adjust automatically to provide increased cornering performance. It costs £160,000 on top of the £1m-plus entry cost for the privilege.

599 GTB 60F1

In December 2011, Ferrari announced a special edition 599 GTB to celebrate 60 years of F1 wins. From Froilán González's win at Silverstone in 1951 with the 375 F1, to Fernando Alonso's win at Silverstone in 2011 in the 150° Italia, Ferrari have been winning hundreds of F1 races. The car is based on the 599 HGTE chassis, meaning tougher suspension, shorter springs and stiffer anti-roll bars. The new 20" diamond-finished forged alloy wheels and Scuderia Ferrari shields come on the body. There are three choices of paint finishes to choose from: 1) The colors of the 375 F1 - darker and standing out more than Ferrari Rosso; 2) The colors of the 150° Italia, with the Italian tricolore styled mini spoiler at the back and the white parts of the front spoiler on the body; 3) Another version of the 150° Italia but without the white a-pillars. The seats in Europe will be Sabelt bucket seats whereas in the Americas there will be Recaro seats, both being made from Alcantara material.

P540 Superfast Aperta

The Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta is a one-off convertible sports car produced by the Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari, based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. This car represents the second car in Ferrari's Special Project program.

Edward Walson commissioned the car in 2008, asking Ferrari to build a modern interpretation of the gold covered Carrozzeria Fantuzzi-bodied Ferrari 330 LMB built for the 1968 film Spirits of the Dead. The P540 was revealed to the public on December 11, 2009, but had been spotted in spy shots several months previous to this.

Designed by Pininfarina and built in Maranello, this car was designed to comply with international safety and homologation requirements. Using finite element analysis and carbon fibre, the car's chassis was stiffened for the conversion to a convertible body style. As it is based on the 599 GTB F1, many of the specifications of the P540 are similar to its donor car. Total time of development was 14 months.

Superamerica 45

The Ferrari Superamerica 45 is a one-off with a rotating targa hardtop based on the 599 GTB, that was commissioned to Ferrari by longtime Ferrari enthusiast and collector Peter Kalikow to commemorate his 45 years as a Ferrari client. Part of Ferrari's Special Project programme, it was designed at Centro Stile Ferrari and engineered in-house by Ferrari. The car made its public debut at Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on 20 May 2011.

The carbon fibre hardtop roof incorporates a rear screen and rotates around a horizontal axis behind the cabin, a mechanism similar to that of the Ferrari 575 Superamerica. The boot, also made from carbon fibre, has been redesigned to house the roof when open and to increase downforce at the rear of the car. As well as being finished in Blu Antille, other key visual features include a chromed front grille, body coloured wheels, carbon fibre panels and special burnished aluminum A-pillars, wing mirrors and door handles. The interior features a combination of Cuoio leather trim and Blu Scuro carbon fibre as well as a latest-generation touch-screen infotainment system.

Hybrid

Motor Authority reported that Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo was working on the development of a Ferrari that will use alternative energy sources and which will be based on what Ferrari is doing in Formula 1, which uses Kinetic Energy Recovery System. The KERS was tested using a prototype 599.

Production

The last Ferrari vehicle with manual transmission, a 599 GTB Fiorano, was delivered to a UK customer in January 2012. Prior to the last order, no manual transmission model had been sold in the UK market. Already three years after the end of production, the manual was becoming a collectors' item - when a 599 with F1 transmission can cost less than $200,000 used, a manual car, the last V12 Ferrari with manual transmission, carries a price over $500,000.

Awards

Replacement

The 599 replacement was announced on 29 February 2012, a few days prior to the Geneva Motor Show. Ferrari released a video featuring Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa driving the car at Ferrari's own test track, the Pista di Fiorano. The replacement vehicle, the F12berlinetta, was officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 6, 2012.