Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano HGTE and 599XX , Ferrari , Fiorano

Ferrari 599GTB Fiorano HGTE and 599XX , Ferrari , Fiorano

599GTB Fiorano HGTE

Ferrari showed two 599GTB Fiorano variants at the 2009 Geneva auto show. Of interest to most potential buyers was the Handling Grand Turismo Evoluzione (HGTE) package, designed to satisfy the 20 to 25 percent of owners who apparently want an even-sharper-handling V-12 coupe.

The car has a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and springs, while the magnetorheological shocks get new calibrations for when the driver sets the car into its sportiest settings. The ride height is lowered, the shift time has been shortened from 100 to 80 milliseconds, and the muffler has been opened up to provide the sound that is missing from the 599GTB’s otherwise awesome demeanor. Externally, there are multi-piece 20-inch wheels and a matte-black rear diffuser. The sport seats are made from carbon fiber to save weight and the interior features carbon-fiber and Alcantara trim. There’s no word yet on U.S. pricing.

599XX

Over in the truly exotic corner, Ferrari showed the wicked 599XX. This is an extreme track car that builds on the prior FXX program, whereby the rich and shameless bought gussied-up Enzos for use in a “race series.” In this case, the 599 has been stripped of about 660 pounds in weight, thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber. The engine has better breathing, with careful work on optimizing the combustion chambers and intake and exhaust tracts, to the extent it now makes 700 hp at 9000 rpm, up from 612 at 7600.

The 599XX uses a lot of carbon fiber, with bodywork addenda and even the brake pads made from the exotic material. Ferrari is being coy about technology transfer from its F1 racing cars, but there are brake-disc shrouds on the wheels similar to those introduced on the F2007. We have been told that the 599XX is just a second slower around Ferrari’s Fiorano test track than an FXX, with part of the gain coming from its improved aerodynamics, which give 617 pounds of rear downforce at 124 mph. Slick racing tires no doubt help in the pursuit of quicker lap times.

Owners—who can buy the 599XX on invitation only—will be able to participate in six races around the world, or simply just turn up at a track day and scare themselves stiff. Twenty to 30 cars will be built, at about $1.4 million plus taxes, so this is a toy for only the very wealthy.

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