Autoblog

Ferrari 599XX Evoluzione makes its track debut at Suzuka [w/video]

Noah Joseph — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Ferrari, Specialty, Racing

Ferrari is an automaker the operates in two spheres: racing and road cars. The company builds the latter to fund the former, but while the two have long operated as fairly separate units, there is plenty of room for overlap. Like its Corse Clienti department.

Established to facilitate privateer racing teams running Ferrari GT cars in various series, the Corse Clienti division also runs the firm's elite XX development program that allows some of its best customers the opportunity to act as "client test drivers." In other words, people pay big money - and by big, we mean millions - to test out new equipment developed by Maranello's skunkworks before it's implemented on future road cars.

The program started with the Enzo-based FXX back in 2005, which was succeeded by the 599XX in 2009. But like the FXX led to the even more extreme FXX Evoluzione, so has the 599XX. More an upgrade package than a new car, the $250,000 evolution kit includes a bigger front splitter, giant rear wing with moving foils, a 30-horsepower upgrade to 740 and another two years of factory-supported track days.

The most recent was held at Japan's Suzuka circuit, where the 599XX Evoluzione hit the track for the first time since delivery to its eager new owners. It was also the first time the upgraded track car was run in public, following its debut at the Bologna Motor Show back in December. Of course, now that the 599 range is being phased out, we can't help but wonder what Ferrari will base its next developmental track car on: the new F12 Berlinetta? The 458 Italia? The upcoming Enzo successor? It's early to tell, but you can check out the 599XX doing its thing in the video clip and press release after the jump, along with the fresh crop of high-resolution images we've added to the gallery.

Continue reading Ferrari 599XX Evoluzione makes its track debut at Suzuka [w/video]

Ferrari 599XX Evoluzione makes its track debut at Suzuka [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: Corse Clienti returns to Monterey (w/VIDEO)

Drew Phillips — Sat, 28 May 2011 09:35:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 599XX at Laguna Seca - Click above for high-res image gallery

The last time Ferrari's exclusive Corse Clienti program made an appearance at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca was back in 2008. At the time, the FXX was the only race car in the Corse Clienti stable, but the 599XX joined the party for the program's return to Monterey this year.

A trio of FXXs and no less than seven 599XXs-almost a quarter of the total produced by Ferrari -took to the track last weekend, their high-revving 6.0L V12s echoing throughout the surrounding hills.

If you didn't make it to Laguna Seca to see the Corse Clienti race cars in action, no worries. We've got a huge gallery of photos below as well as a video of the cars in action after the jump.

Continue reading Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: Corse Clienti returns to Monterey (w/VIDEO)

Ferrari Racing Days at Laguna Seca: Corse Clienti returns to Monterey (w/VIDEO) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 May 2011 09:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX

Drew Phillips — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Videos, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 599XX at Miller Motorsports Park - Click above for high-res image gallery

Without a doubt, the highlight of our trip to Miller Motorsports Park for the Ferrari Challenge this past weekend was seeing the brand new 599XX on track. This is only the second and last time the cars will be in North America for 2010, so it was a special treat to see the cars driven in anger. We gushed earlier about how beautiful the cars look in person, but there's nothing like seeing a 599XX fly down the front straight then hearing the transaxle pull off successive downshifts before the car dives into turn one.

Audio and visuals aside, part of the intrigue of watching the 599XX is knowing how much incredible technology is in the car. For example, there are fans in the back of the car that pull air from the underside and out of ducts near the taillights to increase downforce. How much? The 599XX produces 1,389 pounds of downforce at 186 mph, and after looking through our photos we could actually see the rear spoiler at work, turbulent air swirling up behind the car. There are nine different traction control settings, the 6.0-liter V12 can rev to 9,000 rpm and the new sequential gearbox can bang off shifts in a mere 60 milliseconds.

Of course, we knew we could never get away with just showing you photos (which we have plenty of in the gallery below). So we brought out a video camera to capture some footage of the 599XX on track. Turn up the volume and follow the jump to enjoy the wail of a Ferrari V12.

Gallery: Ferrari 599XX at Miller Motorsports Park

Continue reading 2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: The sights and sounds of the Ferrari 599XX originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: Ferrari FXX is king of the track

Drew Phillips — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari FXX at Miller Motorsports Park - Click above for high-res image gallery

We were pretty impressed after initially watching the Ferrari F430 Challenge cars turn laps at Miller Motorsports Park this past weekend. After all, each of the cars boasts a 490 horsepower V8 and is set up specifically for racing. You can imagine that they're quite capable of turning insanely quick laps. Then a trio of FXXs took to the track and our definition of "fast" was altered forever.

Despite the fact that it will never turn a competitive lap, the Ferrari FXX is a brutally impressive racecar. The second generation Evoluzione version (pictured above), is Ferrari's most advanced GT car ever built with an 860 horsepower V12, a sequential gearbox that can perform shifts in just 60 milliseconds and a curb weight of just over 2,500 pounds. We might have preferred the beauty of the 599XX, but there was no doubt which car was the most capable of the lowest lap times.

In addition to our photos of the FXXs in the pit lane garages, we also came away from the weekend with plenty of shots of the cars on track. Have a look for yourself in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Ferrari FXX at Miller Motorsports Park

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: Ferrari FXX is king of the track originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: A look inside the Corse Clienti garages

Drew Phillips — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 599XXs in the garages at Miller Motorsports Park - Click above for high-res image gallery

Oh, to be wealthy. We're not talking about slightly rich, either. We're talking about having your own Ferrari racecar with factory support wealthy. Such a program actually exists, known as Corse Clienti (translated from Italian as "Racing Clients"). Imagine showing up to the racetrack with your car already there, which was flown in from the Ferrari factory earlier that week. There's no need to to get the car prepared, as Ferrari's very own mechanics are already on the job. Just sit back and relax until it's your time to get on the track, then hop in and take off.

The Ferrari 599XX, the latest member of the Corse Clienti stable, is brand new for this year and only made its debut at Homestead-Miami Speedway last month. We were eager to see them up close, and the first thing we did upon arriving at Miller Motorsports Park on Saturday morning was to go looking for the Corse Clienti cars. It didn't take long to find them, as they were all safely stored in the garages along pit row. There were no less than seven 599XXs, plus an additional three FXXs as a bonus.

In person, the 599XX is a sight to behold. It's not nearly as dramatic looking as the FXX, but that's a good thing in our opinion. In fact, it's one of the most beautiful modern racecars we've ever seen. Unlike the FXX, which seems to be a little rough around the edges, the 599XX has beautifully crafted details both inside and out. For instance, the inside of the door has "599XX" worked into the design of the carbon fiber, and the interior actually seems like a fairly hospitable place to be. The engine bay, like all other Ferraris, is a work of art, and even the functional aspects of the car like the splitters, winglets and diffuser all have an aesthetic appeal.

You can see all of the details of the 599XX, like the largest paddle shifters we've ever seen, the F1-like wheel donuts and more in the gallery below along with an additional gallery of the FXX.

Gallery: Ferrari 599XXs in the Miller Motorsports Park Garages

Gallery: Ferrari FXXs in the Miller Motorsports Park Garages

2010 Ferrari Challenge at MMP: A look inside the Corse Clienti garages originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments