Autoblog

Rumormill: Ferrari preparing hardcore 599 GTO?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari, Rumormill

Ferrari 599XX - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ferrari often uses its World Finals event to unveil exclusive new versions of its most enticing road cars. The FXX Evoluzione was unveiled there a couple of years ago, and the 16M Scuderia Spider made its debut at the event last year. But aside from a mishap involving Fernando Alonso, Felipe Massa and Luca di Montezemolo in a California convertible, this year's event at Valencia came and went with nothing new to offer. However, the latest churns from the rumormill indicate Maranello could be working on an exciting new project.

Supposedly leaked pre-order sheets reportedly refer to a "599 GTO Limited Edition", named in deference to the iconic 250 GTO (to say nothing of the ground-pounding 288 GTO). Based on the 599 GTB Fiorano, the GTO could be Maranello's answer to arch-rival Lamborghini's Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce.

Incorporating design cues and technologies from the 599XX program, the 599 GTO could benefit from a weight-reduction program to cut some 100-150 pound off the curb weight thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber, while squeezing out as much as 700 horsepower from the Enzo-derived 6.0-liter V12. Pricing would be expected to jump by as much as a quarter to nearly $400,000, and if the reports prove accurate, the 599 GTO could be ready for debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March with the first of just 500 examples slated for delivery by this time next year.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Ferrari 599xx

[Source: Autogespot]

Rumormill: Ferrari preparing hardcore 599 GTO? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fine China: One-off porcelain-finish Ferrari 599 special to be auctioned for charity [w/VIDEO]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, China, Videos, Ferrari, Specialty, Design/Style

One-of-a-kind Ferrari 599 in cracked porcelain by Lu Hao - Click above for UPDATED high-res image gallery

In a communist country, all Ferraris are equal, but some are more equal than others. Take the special-edition 599 that the Italian automaker debuted exclusively for the Chinese market. Only twelve of them will be made. And now, an even more exclusive version - as exclusive as they get, really - has been presented.

This one-of-a-kind special Ferrari has been further differentiated by Lu Hao, a Chinese artist who applied the special touches that make the China special edition, well...special. It's been decked out in the cracked glaze pattern of the coveted Song Dynasty-era Ge Liln porcelain, and signed by the artist. The unique supercar will be auctioned off for charity in Beijing on November 3, but you can see it for yourself in the gallery below and the video after the jump.

UPDATE: Two new images added to the gallery below, and official press release inserted under the video after the jump.

Gallery: Ferrari 599 in cracked porcelain by Lu Hao

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Fine China: One-off porcelain-finish Ferrari 599 special to be auctioned for charity [w/VIDEO]

Fine China: One-off porcelain-finish Ferrari 599 special to be auctioned for charity [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Red Flag: Ferrari crafts a dozen 599 HGTE specials for China

Noah Joseph — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, China, Ferrari

Ferrari 599 HGTE China Limited Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

It wasn't so long ago that the idea of seeing an exotic Italian sportscar in mainland China was as much an anathema as a Chinese car in America. But the times, as one Mr. Dylan sang, they are a-changin.' Today, China is one of Ferrari's most important markets, where the red Prancing Horse shares the streets with the Red Dragon. To mark that relationship, Ferrari has announced a special edition exclusively for the Chinese market.

Based on the 599 GTB Fiorano with the company's new Handling GTE package, the China Limited Edition has been updated with special touches designed by Chinese artist Lu Hao: the starter button glows jade green, the tachometer features ancient Chinese characters instead of the usual numerals, and the luggage is emblazoned with a map of the Silk Road taken by the famous Italian explorer Marco Polo. The Rosso Fuoco paintjob with the gray roof mimics the 599XX, and only a dozen examples will be made - with over a billion people in the market, we're betting they'll be snapped up fast. Check it out in the high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: Ferrari 599 HGTE China Limited Edition

[Source: Ferrari]

Red Flag: Ferrari crafts a dozen 599 HGTE specials for China originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari CEO outlines dates for Enzo, 612, 599 replacements

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari

With the new 458 Italia ready to go, the 458 Spider on its way, and the California still fresh on the market, Ferrari is turning its attention from the V8 range to its V12 flagships. CAR sat down with the company's CEO and managing director Amedeo Felisa, who revealed the full roll-out schedule for not one, not two, but three new V12 supercars currently under development in Maranello.

First up is the 612 Scaglietti, which has been on the market since 2004. That may not seem like a long product life cycle, but considering the lackluster Scag hasn't exactly won the hearts and minds of enthusiasts and customers, Ferrari is apparently moving ahead with its replacement, due to hit the market by 2012.

Around the same time, we can expect to see the long-anticipated supercar to follow in the footsteps of the 288 GTO, F40, F50 and Enzo. Although Ferrari has been working on hybrid propulsion and other forms of green technology, those bits won't be ready by the time the Enzo's successor rolls around, so expect a more conventional V12 (or possibly twin turbo V8) to drive Maranello's new benchmark.

The replacement for the 599 GTB Fiorano, meanwhile, will take a little longer. The two-seat GT was introduced a few years ago and recently treated to a new HGTE package to keep it ahead of the competition. But although the new 458 is already expected to outgun the Fiorano, and with arch-rival Lamborghini hard at work on a successor to the Murcielago, Ferrari isn't planning to replace the 599 before 2015.

[Source: CAR]

Ferrari CEO outlines dates for Enzo, 612, 599 replacements originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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(Un)mellow Yellow: Upgrade your Ferrari 599 with dealer-installed HGTE package [w/VIDEO]

Noah Joseph — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:35:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Supercars, Ferrari, Specialty

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano with HGTE package - Click above for high-res image gallery

Life is tough, we know. You sit for months on a waiting list, drop six figures, order your Ferrari just the way you want it, and then bam! They come out with an even better version. What's a supercar owner to do? Well in the case of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and the Handling GTE package unveiled to go with it at the Geneva Motor Show just a few months ago (shown above in yellow for the first time), we've got good news as Ferrari has announced the availability of the package as a dealer-installable kit on existing 599s.

The package includes a host of enhancements to the GT's already superlative capabilities, grouped into four areas: handling, performance, exhaust and aesthetics. Handling includes a suspension lowered by 10mm, magnetorheologically re-calibrated and stiffened by over 15%; beefed up in anti-roll bars, and stickier tires mounted on upgraded modular wheels.

The performance enhancements include new exhaust silencers, upgrades to the transmission software that cut shift times down to 85 milliseconds, as well as new lines of code that summon improved throttle response. The performance kit can only be installed on post-2008 models with the sequential transmission, while pre-2008 or manual-equipped models can get the exhaust kit without the remapped throttle and transmission.

Finally, the aesthetic improvements consist of a new front grille and Prancing Horse emblems front and back in a burnished finish instead of the usual chrome. The only thing which the dealer-installed HGTE kit doesn't include from the factory-equipped models is the interior trim package. Released first for the British market, the kit costs £19,703 (~$32k USD), or £17,213 (~$28k) without the upgraded transmission and throttle calibrations. Check out the fresh gallery of images below and follow the jump for the full press release and an in-car video of the HGTE-equipped 599 pouring on the heat.

Gallery: Ferrari 599 HGTE in yellow

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading (Un)mellow Yellow: Upgrade your Ferrari 599 with dealer-installed HGTE package [w/VIDEO]

(Un)mellow Yellow: Upgrade your Ferrari 599 with dealer-installed HGTE package [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Face-lift Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano on its way?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:41:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Supercars, Ferrari

Three years may not seem like a long time to keep a car on the market, but for an exotic automaker built on a Formula One team accustomed to replacing their racing machinery every season, 36 months must seem like an eternity. That could explaining why the 599 GTB Fiorano, introduced just a few flips of the calendar ago in 2006, is already due for a refresh.

The Prancing Horse showed us two new variants of the Fiorano last month at the Geneva Motor Show -- the track-bound 599XX client test car and the HGTE package for the road-going model -- and now spy shots show what is tipped to be a mild face-lift for Maranello's flagship supercar. If this is what sources say it is, the 599 could be getting a revised front air dam, with possible modifications to the headlights and other body parts, with the potential for some engine mods, too. Coupled with the revised suspension from the new HGTE package and the 599 looks poised to remain at the top of the dynamic performance ladder for another few years at least.

[Source: autoblog.it]

Spy Shots: Face-lift Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano on its way? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: Ferrari messes with perfection on 599 Handling GTE package

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:53:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Ferrari

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ferrari 599 HGTE

While the 599XX took the lion's share of the attention in Ferrari's stand at the Geneva Motor Show today, it shared some space with another new version of the Fiorano. The new Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione (HGTE) package takes one of the most superb chassis in the industry and turns things up a notch thanks to stiffer springs and roll bars, recalibrated magnetic viscosity shocks, a lower ride height and new compound tires. Ferrari's also toyed with the transmission electronics and exhaust system, and updated the interior with a sublime mix of leather, alcantara and carbon fiber. The new 20-inch split-five-spoke rims also do a nice job of filling the wheel wells to give the 599 an even more aggressive stance, as you can see from the live shots in the gallery below and the studio shots in the gallery below that. Full details can also be found in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Ferrari 599 HGTE

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Ferrari messes with perfection on 599 Handling GTE package

Geneva 2009: Ferrari messes with perfection on 599 Handling GTE package originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: Ferrari 599XX is our kind of menace to society

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:25:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Supercars, Ferrari

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Ferrari 599XX

Ferrari stormed Geneva with a pair of new versions of the 599 GTB Fiorano. We'll have more for you soon on the new Handling GT Evoluzione package being offered on the V12 supercar, but what you really want to see is this: the 599XX. Following up on the FXX development program, the 599XX is a rolling test bed for new technologies making their way from the F1 circuit over to Ferrari's road car division.

Only 20 or 30 examples off the 599XX will be offered to a very select clientele, and participation in the program (which includes the car) will cost upwards of one million euros. The vehicles itself is technically based on the existing Fiorano road car, but is treated to an extensive array of track-spec modifications including a retuned V12 corralling some 700 prancing ponies at 9,000 rpm, revised electronics, an "Actiflow" aero package that produces some 280 kilos of downforce at 200 km/h and 19-inch competition rims with F1-derived covers. You can read all about it in the press release after the jump, and see live shots of the rolling menace from Ferrari's show stand here at the Geneva Motor Show where it's made its debut.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Ferrari 599xx

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Ferrari 599XX is our kind of menace to society

Geneva 2009: Ferrari 599XX is our kind of menace to society originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTS roadster

Noah Joseph — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:33:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Supercars, Ferrari

Ferrari seem to content with cutting the roof off of everything these days. The F430 Spider remains the company's hottest-selling model, with the new California on the way. A roadster version of the 430 Scuderia is anticipated to make its debut at Mugello in November, and now spy shots have surfaced showing what sources suggest is a convertible version of the 599 GTB Fiorano.

Although the test mule in the spy shots has a fixed roof in place, reports note that the roof appears ill-fitting and mismatched in color to the rest of the body. If that's anything to go by, Ferrari could be planning a successor to the Superamerica version of the Fiorano's 575 predecessor and the 550 Barchetta that came before that. The former featured an intriguing Fioravanti-designed glass roof mechanism, however the 599 Spider would, in all likelihood, employ a similar folding hard-top to the clever mechanism found on the new California, to the possible inclusion of the Fiorano's aerodynamic buttresses. Following the revival of the GTB (grand touring berlinetta) designation on the existing 599, the convertible would likely take on the GTS (grand touring spider) nameplate, while installment of Ferrari's new quick-shifting SuperFast3 dual-clutch transmission could help mitigate the extra weight. Of course this is all pure speculation, so stay tuned.

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTS roadster originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another Ferrari spontaneously combusts

Chris Shunk — Sun, 18 May 2008 20:02:00 EST

Filed under: Supercars, Ferrari, UAW/Unions

Ferraris are best known for their looks, performance, and exclusivity, but lately, it seems one could add flammability to that list of attributes. The latest case of Ferrari flambé involves a beautiful black 599 GTB Fiorano, which self-ignited at a stop light while being driven by someone who wasn't even the car's owner. Martin Bullen, who works at supercar garage Romans International in Banstead, UK, was at the wheel when he heard a strange sound followed by a brilliant display of smoke and fire. The £250,000 exotic was a total loss, and the 28-year-veteran of the high-end garage had to inform his boss of the Ferrari's fate.

Luckily for Bullen, his employer is a forgiving and understanding man. Garage owner Paul Jaconelli said he wouldn't hold the destroyed 599 against his employee, and that the vehicle was still covered under warranty. That's good news for Bullen, but Ferrari owners the world over must be wondering if their expensive toys will be the next to join the ranks of the carbequed. This isn't exactly what they bargained for when they decided to get a hot car. Head to The Sun for more pics of the latest Fire-ari. Thanks for the tip, Chris!

Gallery: 599 GTB Fiorano in flames

[Source: The Sun]

Another Ferrari spontaneously combusts originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 May 2008 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Teaser shot of the Edo Competition Ferrari 599

Alex Nunez — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:53:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Performance, Supercars, Ferrari

Click image to enlarge

Edo Competition modifies cars subtly. While you might see non-standard colors and aftermarket wheels combined with an Edo graphic, nothing outlandish is going on. Most of the company's modifications take place out of sight, with updates made to cars' exhausts, suspensions, and engines in the form of an ECU tune. All of those things will happen on the company's white Ferrari 599 GTB, but the car's not quite ready yet (Edo told WorldCarFans it's "weeks away"), so we'll have to wait to get the final specs. As for the look -- white paint with black wheels -- thumbs up from us. In the meantime, you can see some additional sneak peaks at Dino Pannhorst Photography, which appears to have shot the car for Edo Competition.

[Source: Dino Pannhorst via WorldCarFans]

Teaser shot of the Edo Competition Ferrari 599 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vandenbrink 599 GTO will be built... but not by Ferrari

John Neff — Thu, 24 May 2007 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Supercars, Ferrari

click above image to view 10 pics of the 2008 Vandenbrink 599 GTO

You may remember a post from a while back about about the Vandenbrink GTO, a coachbuilt Ferrari penned by the dutch design firm Vandenbrink Design and its steward, Michiel van den Brink. At the time, the car existed only in Photoshop, but showed a modern interpretation of the early-sixties Ferrari 250 GTO. We said then that Vandenbrink would consider producing the car if interest was there, and apparently some interested parties have stepped forward. Vandenbrink will be producing five 599 GTOs that will be built off of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. Three have already been sold, so if you have obscene amounts of cash on hand and nothing to buy, get a move on. Though Vandenbrink Design is responsible for the car's lines, Hietbrink Coachbuilding in the Netherlands is being tasked with actually building the cars. Hietbrink, the owner, is reportedly an artist with aluminum, and will be creating a real car body out of Vandenbrink's design. Though aluminum is the planned material, Hietbrink says he'll consider carbon fiber if you want your car to be even more exclusive than the other four.

Ferrari aficionados are debating whether or not the "GTO" should be affixed to Vandenbrink's design, as any car wearing that badge has some big shoes to fill. It needs to be better than the 599 GTB on which it's based in every way. Also, at the moment, the car is not officially recognized by Maranello as a Ferrari. So for now, we can only refer to it as the 2008 Vandenbrink 599 GTO.

[Source: Vandenbrink Design via Supercars.net]

Gallery: 2008 Vandenbrink 599 GTO/630 GTO

Vandenbrink 599 GTO will be built... but not by Ferrari originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2007 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bronx Bash: Ferrari 60 Relay stops at Yankee Stadium

Alex Nunez — Sun, 08 Apr 2007 10:07:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Supercars, Ferrari

Click image to enlarge

Ferrari's intercontinental, 10,000-car 60th Anniversary traveling show paid a visit to that iconic edifice on River Ave. in the Bronx yesterday. I refer, of course, to Yankee Stadium, home of the 26-time World Champions, and for today, at least, the latest rest stop for the Ferrari 60 Relay. Car 1492, a red 599 GTB Fiorano, made an appearance on the field prior to yesterday's contest between the Yanks and Orioles, and manager Joe Torre was presented with the baton unveiled in Abu Dhabi back in January at the Relay kickoff. Outfielders Johnny Damon and Bobby Abreu (left to right above) also posed with the car and baton.

Apparently, the Ferrari brought some good luck along with it, as the game, which was very much in question for the Bombers, ended with Alex Rodriguez crushing a 2-out walk-off grand slam into the black seats in center field.

[Source: Ferrari North America]

Continue reading Bronx Bash: Ferrari 60 Relay stops at Yankee Stadium

Bronx Bash: Ferrari 60 Relay stops at Yankee Stadium originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 08 Apr 2007 10:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari to embark on 50 country tour to celebrate 60th anniversary

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:05:00 EST

Filed under: Ferrari

Ask any red-blooded Ferrari tifosi and they'll recognize the significance of the year 1947. That was the year the magic started. It was the year that il commendatore, Enzo Ferrari, started selling the first cars that bore his name. Many world championships, street car accolades, and happy customers later, and the company is still going strong. And now that the calendar is showing 2007, it's time for Ferrari's 60th birthday celebration.

And apparently the Panamerican 20,000 run for the launch of the 599 went better than hoped for and has spawned a sequel. To commemorate this special occasion a road rally will be held, beginning in Abu Dhabi on January 28th and covering 6 different continents along the way. The participants should reach the finish line in Maranello at the end of June. Abu Dhabi is significant as a starting point because it is the site of the future Ferrari theme park and a pretty big market for the Italian firm's vehicles. After crossing 50 different countries, the racers will reach Maranello around June 24th.

As publicity stunts go, this is a doozy. Parading a bunch of Ferraris around the world sounds like our idea of a good time, but it will be educational too. After all, something has to go on those batons. So Ferrari will be showing off 60 of its most important automotive innovations. Things like aluminum pliers for disc brakes, the electric differential, and the F1 gearbox. And it's obvious these innovations have kept Ferrari ahead of the game all these years.

In fact, as they explained in the briefing that accompanied the relay race announcement, business is thriving. Running at almost full capacity, riding a new wave of popularity since the 599 GTB Fiorano was launched, the company again took the opportunity to deny rumors of a new entry-level model, despite continued reports to the contrary. We hope they have a passenger seat open when they hit the States.

Press release after the jump.

Continue reading Ferrari to embark on 50 country tour to celebrate 60th anniversary

Ferrari to embark on 50 country tour to celebrate 60th anniversary originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Jan 2007 17:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano test

John Neff — Tue, 23 May 2006 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Supercars

Auto Motor und Sport taped itself terrorizing an unidentified countryside with the very new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. The first part of the video sees the mud-spattered Ferrari being deftly piloted on a wet and winding road by a driver who knows how to handle his oversteer. The 599 GTB Fiorano, which replaces the 575M Maranello, looks like a Playmate posing for the camera and its 620-hp, 6.0L V12 engine not only looks like art but sounds like a symphony stuck on fast-forward.

Thanks for the vid-tip, Brian!

[Source: YouTube]

VIDEO: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano test originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 May 2006 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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