Ferrari brought two new versions of the 599 GTB Fiorano to its show stand in Switzerland — a handling package, called the HGTE (for Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione), as well as the 599XX, which will no doubt prove to be one of the world's greatest track-day cars.
The "select group of clients" who buy the Ferrari 599XX (which is not designed for competition use) will be getting a car that the company says "incorporates the most advanced technologies resulting from Ferrari's road -going and Formula 1 research." The output of the 599's 6.0-liter V-12 was increased from 611 bhp to 700 bhp (DIN) through modifications to its combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts; redline was raised to 9000 rpm (from 8400).
Ferrari says the 599XX features a "plethora of aerodynamic, electronic control and handling innovations used together for the first time on a single car, making this model a genuine technological laboratory." One of those innovations is what Ferrari calls the "Actiflow" system, which increases downforce or cuts drag depending on the car's cornering attitude, "courtesy of the use of a porous material in the diffuser and two fans in the trunk which channel the air flow from under the car out through the two grilles next to the taillights." Ferrari says the 599XX produces 617 lb. of downforce at 124 mph and almost 1400 lb. of downforce at 186 mph. The F1-derived "doughnuts" partly covering the wheels and brake discs improve both aerodynamics and brake cooling.
Speaking of the brakes, the 599XX's carbon-ceramic brake system now uses carbon pads, which allow for smaller calipers and, hence, even more weight savings, while further pounds were shaved by the car's extensive use of carbon-fiber body panels. The car's extra power, active downforce devices, improved grip (the 599XX uses 19-in. slicks front and rear) and reduced weight resulted in a lap time of 1 minute 17 sec. around Ferrari's Fiorano race track.
Ferrari will organize a series of track days specifically for owners of the 599XX in 2010 and 2011.
