Autoblog

That was quick - Ferrari 599 Roadster preview confirmed

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:10:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Performance, Ferrari, Design/Style

That didn't take long. As soon as the Ferrari 599 Spyder post went live this afternoon we started hearing from multiple sources that Ferrari did indeed preview a 599 "Roadster" in Monterey a few weeks ago and that the letter posted on Luxury4Play is authentic. It shouldn't be that surprising, after all, we did a post predicting the unveiling a while back.

Apparently the invitees had to negotiate a tricky path after clearing a security gate to get to the venue. They all had to sign NDAs and their phones and cameras were confiscated. The car that was presented to them was a 599 convertible with a part-time fabric roof that included a removable glass panel for the back window. It was described as an occasional use roof, making this more of a barchetta than a spider in Ferrari parlance. Actually one person described it as nothing more than a piece of fabric that connected to both sides of the body. We're thinking a Porsche Boxster Spyder-type arrangement.

This particular 599 roadster was rosso fuoco - a rare and expensive multi-layer red - and had silver buttresses. It also had a new wheel design. The best news about this new model was that the engine will come from the recently unveiled 599 GTO and that the convertible will weigh no more than the current 599 GTB coupe. It will be priced at a premium over the GTO and will be limited to just 100 units. There was no indication of what this new model will be called, but Barchetta and SuperAmerica were used on the 550 and 575 convertibles, so maybe one of those will be resurrected...or possibly another name from Ferrari's past, like Monza. Sales were tentatively promised for Summer 2011.

That was quick - Ferrari 599 Roadster preview confirmed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Was a Ferrari 599 Roadster present at Pebble?

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:43:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari

We may have obsessively covered the cars of Pebble Beach Week out in Monterey, California, but it appears that we - and everyone else in the media - may have missed one.

If a letter sent to a Ferrari owner is to be believed (and we're not convinced it should be), the automaker held a special gathering for a select group of owners to view a 599 Roadster prototype. The letter, which you can view at Luxury4Play.com, thanks the attendees for their "first feedback" on this "upcoming limited edition product." There's no way to verify the authenticity of this letter, but if we're honest, it looks kinda-sorta legit.

Ferrari usually does a pretty good job of keeping these things under wraps, and since we didn't get to see the 599 Roadster during our time in Monterey, we wouldn't be surprised if it shows up at a future auto show (Paris, perhaps?). We'll keep our eyes peeled.

[Source: Luxury4Play via 0-60 Magazine]

Was a Ferrari 599 Roadster present at Pebble? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Ferrari 599 GTO reviewed in all its glory by EVO's Chris Harris

Zach Bowman — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Ferrari, Luxury

EVO reviews the Ferrari 599 GTO - Click above to watch video after the jump

Ah yes, the Ferrari 599 GTO - the sinister odd duck in the Ferrari stable. It goes without saying that any one of us would give any number of appendages for a shot at the flappy paddles in this particular Prancing Horse. You probably already know that the car gets its grunt from a 6.0-liter V12 distilled from the same mill that powers the mighty Enzo, though in the right hands, the 599 GTO is actually quicker than the discontinued Ferrari supercar. You're likely also aware that the chassis is a whopping 430 pounds lighter than the more pedestrian 599 GTB.

That's all fine and good, but we're betting our britches that you don't know what the car sounds like as it gets flung around the Italian countryside. For that, we turn to the ever-talented Chris Harris at EVO. The guy was lucky enough to get some seat time in the barely road-legal 599 GTO and took along a few cameras to share his experience. You can hop the jump for the full show, but if you're looking for your own personal moment of Zen, we suggest you skip ahead to around 2:30. You can thank us later. Thanks for the tip, Michael!

Gallery: Ferrari 599 GTO

[Source: EVO via YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Ferrari 599 GTO reviewed in all its glory by EVO's Chris Harris

Video: Ferrari 599 GTO reviewed in all its glory by EVO's Chris Harris originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari to unveil limited-edition 599 roadster at Pebble Beach?

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Ferrari

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

If a V12 convertible strikes you as the quintessential Ferrari layout, it may come as a bit of a surprise to realize that Maranello hasn't made one since 2006. That's when the bizarre flip-top 575M Superamerica finished its limited run of 559 units. And Ferrari hasn't made a V12 convertible since.

That's all about to change, however, as early as two months from now, according to a report from Autocar magazine. In a recent conversation with the British publication, Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has confirmed that a roadster based on the 599 GTB Fiorano is set to make its debut later this summer at Pebble Beach. Coupled with the 599XX, HGTE, HY-KERS concept, GTO, China edition and the one-off P540 Superfast Aptera, that will make quite an array of Fiorano variants over the course of four short years.

Like the Superamerica (and the 550 Barchetta Pininfarina before it), the 599 roadster will be an limited-edition affair, and we don't mean "limited to however many we can produce and sell." No word on whether the convertible Fiorano will adopt the same sort of rotary top mechanism as fitted to the Superamerica, or a more conventional softtop like the F430 Spider or a folding hardtop like the California.

While Montezemolo wouldn't confirm the name, he said it won't be called the Superamerica, but "will have an emotional, romantic name such as Italia or Fiorano". If we had to guess, we'd go with "599 GTS Monza", but we won't guess too loud. Legend has it that when he learned the press had already dubbed the 365 GTB/4 as the "Daytona", Enzo himself dropped the official moniker. Not that it stopped anyone from calling it that, or that Il Commendatore is still around for that matter, but we hear they're reading Autoblog in supercar-magnate heaven these days.

Gallery: Ferrari 599 GTB HGTE

[Source: Autocar]

Ferrari to unveil limited-edition 599 roadster at Pebble Beach? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Autocar drives the Ferrari 599 GTO, calls it "best value"

Sam Abuelsamid — Sat, 08 May 2010 12:10:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ferrari

The Ferrari 599 GTO tears up the tarmac - Follow the jump to watch the video

You have to love the human being's ability to rationalize almost anything. After all, how else can you explain calling a near half-million-dollar sports car a "best value?" Yet that's exactly what Autocar has done in evaluating the new Ferrari 599 GTO. By comparing it's £300,000 price tag against the £1.3 million 599XX while noting that the GTO is at least 4/5ths of the more expensive car, it certainly comes across as something of a bargain, absurd as it sounds. Of course, since almost no one reading this likely to ever afford either car, the point's moot anyway.

One thing that jumps out at us in Autocar magazine'sFerrari GTO video review is what we'll be missing if electric cars ever take over the world: the glorious sound. Sure, torque-heavy electric motors can generate a car that may be just as fast, but no electric car will ever sound as good as this thing. It's the kind of noise that can make a man find religion. Check out the video after the jump, and drop a comment letting us know whether you agree. A tip of the hat to Giulio!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Autocar drives the Ferrari 599 GTO, calls it "best value"

Video: Autocar drives the Ferrari 599 GTO, calls it "best value" originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 May 2010 12:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Dario Benuzzi laps Mugello in the new Ferrari 599 GTO

Noah Joseph — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Videos, Ferrari

Ferrari 599 GTO at Mugello - Click above to watch the video after the jump

When you're dealing with a car that packs 661 horsepower, the culmination of arguably the most exhaustive performance development program in the world, and the bragging rights as the fastest, most powerful roadcar ever built in Maranello, it doesn't take much to dramatize the results. Just the right driver and the right setting. The utopian pairing of Dario Benuzzi and Mugello ought to do the trick.

We're talking, of course, about the new Ferrari 599 GTO, the factory's veteran roadcar test driver (think Valentino Balboni wearing red) and the company's racing circuit north of Florence. The car was revealed online less than a month ago and live in Beijing a couple of weeks since. The driver we had the chance to meet during the California launch a couple of years back. And the track will be immediately recognized to anyone who's ever turned a lap on Forza. Follow the jump to see them come together.

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Video: Dario Benuzzi laps Mugello in the new Ferrari 599 GTO

Video: Dario Benuzzi laps Mugello in the new Ferrari 599 GTO originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 May 2010 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bone up on your Italian: Ferrari releases 599 GTO videos

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos

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

A couple of new videos have landed on the tubes dedicated to presenting all the yummy details on the new Ferrari 599 GTO. The only problem - for us, at least - is that both videos are in Italian. That doesn't mean gearheads can't still enjoy the imagery, including in-car video of test driver Raffaele de Simone tapping the carbon fiber flappy paddles. Actually, carbon fiber seems to be the operative material everywhere in GTO's interior.

While we don't speak Italian, we can certainly pick up words like "Formula Uno," "composite" and "aggresiva." Regardless of your mother tongue, it's worth spending a few minutes watching Ferrari's latest creation after the jump before the GTO debuts at the Beijing Motor Show in two week's time.

Gallery: Ferrari 599 GTO

Continue reading Bone up on your Italian: Ferrari releases 599 GTO videos

Bone up on your Italian: Ferrari releases 599 GTO videos originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari takes wraps off new 599 GTO, quicker than an Enzo

Noah Joseph — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Beijing Motor Show

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

We've seen the spy shots. We've even seen the options list. Now Ferrari has officially taken the wraps off its new performance benchmark, the 599 GTO, ahead of the car's official debut later this month at the Beijing Motor Show.

Sort of a street-legal stepping point between the production 599 GTB Fiorano and the track-only 599XX, the 599 GTO evokes the famous Gran Turismo Omologato designation made famous by the legendary 250 GTO of the 1960s and the muscle-bound 288 GTO of the 1980s. That's quite a legacy to follow, so it's a good thing the 599 GTO brings the goods.

Output from the 6.0-liter V12 - itself derived from the Enzo's engine - is up from 612 horsepower to 661, with torque up a modest 9 lb-ft to 457. Coupled with a 195 kilogram (430 lb) weight reduction program - now tipping the scales at 1495 kg (3295 lbs), the leaner and meaner 599 can sprint to 62 miles per hour from a standstill in a scant (and very specific) 3.35 seconds, with a top speed in excess of 208 mph, while lapping the Fiorano test track from which its donor's name is derived in a blitzing 1 minute, 24 seconds. That's faster than the Enzo, people.

The GTO is also treated to more aerodynamic bodywork, including a new front splitter, side sills, diffuser and rear spoiler. The vented hood is new as well, as are the ten-spoke, 20-inch rims with F1-derived wheel donuts aiding aero efficiency.

Piquing your interest yet? Don't get too excited. As the new flagship in Ferrari's range, the 599 GTO is reported to fetch a price tag approaching £300,000 overseas (equivalent to nearly $460k). Only 599 examples will be offered, which is still more than the Enzo whose performance it eclipses. Follow the jump for the official press release, and check out the images in the gallery for a closer look.

Gallery: Ferrari 599 GTO

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Ferrari takes wraps off new 599 GTO, quicker than an Enzo

Ferrari takes wraps off new 599 GTO, quicker than an Enzo originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 06:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTO spotted again, still looks awesome

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Luxury

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

The Ferrari 599 GTO was caught standing still in the steel, and to quote the Big Tymers it's a #1 Stunna. The 700-horsepower, top-of-the-heap beast with the 60-millisecond shifts and monster options list will be gracing out waiting eyes in the very, very near future. And in red, we're feeling even better about spending 430 large on it when we finally do see it.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTO

[Source: TeamSpeed]

Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTO spotted again, still looks awesome originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: First official shot of Ferrari 599 GTO

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ferrari

Click above to view the video after the jump

The crew at Fast Lane Daily have apparently scored the first official shot of the Ferrari 599 GTO ahead of its launch later this year, and while we're still suitably skeptical about the pic, we've been assured by the show's producers that this is the real deal.

So what's Ferrari have in store? If previous reports are to be believed, the GTO will be a road-focused version of the 599XX, packing a 700+ horsepower Enzo-derived 6.0-liter V12 capable of revving to 9,000 rpm. Shifts will be delivered in a mind-boggling 60 milliseconds, resulting in a 0-60 time of 3.2 seconds as it climbs to a claimed 217 mph top speed. Only 500 units will be produced - and likely made available to select Ferrari owners - each carrying a price tag somewhere north of $400,000. Make the jump for Derek D's insufferable commentary and photoshopped shenanigans, and expect the 599 GTO to be revealed in full in the coming months.

Gallery: New York 2009: Ferrari 599XX

[Source: FastLaneDaily]

Continue reading Video: First official shot of Ferrari 599 GTO

Video: First official shot of Ferrari 599 GTO originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2010: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS is green in more ways than one

Noah Joseph — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari

Ferrari 599 HY-KERS - Click above for high-res image gallery

Onlookers green with envy. Waiting twitchingly for the traffic light to turn green. A briefcase full of greenbacks. Even British Racing Green, if you're talking about a GT. You could find a few ways to associate Ferrari with the color green, but the environmental sense would be a bit of a stretch - historically speaking, at least. But the times, as one Mr. Zimmerman wrote, they are a-changing. Now even Maranello has been forced to get on board the "Heal the World" train. And this is the result.

Called the HY-KERS, what you're looking at is a rolling test bed. It's a hybrid, sure, but if you thought this was a haphazard application of a plug-and-play hybrid system, think again. The HY-KERS incorporates a roadgoing derivative of Ferrari's Kinetic Energy Recovery System - fancy-talk for regenerative braking - from last year's Formula One program.

Ferrari has worked diligently to optimize the benefits of the system to the 599's performance. The entire system weighs a modest 40 kilograms, partially offset by the obviation of the starter motor and conventional battery. Integrated into the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and mounted below the car's center of gravity, the system returns over 100 horsepower, supplementing the V12 engine under hard acceleration and it can even operate under full electric power when puttering around town. Of course, a Ferrari never putters around anything, save for when it takes its owner for a round of golf at the local country club.

Take a closer look in the gallery of live shots of the lime-green show car - complete with 599XX-style matte-black roof and mirrored floor - from the Geneva Motor Show floor below, and brush up on the details on the latest from the Italian technological powerhouse after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2010: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS

Gallery: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS

Continue reading Geneva 2010: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS is green in more ways than one

Geneva 2010: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS is green in more ways than one originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTO, is that you?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:32:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari

Few letters hold the same lore for Ferrari fans as G-T-O. Pontiac muscle-cars aside, the letters were first used on the iconic '60s-era 250 GTO. The 288 GTO followed two decades later and laid the ground for the F40, the first in the modern age of Ferrari supercars. Now the name is set to come back again on an extreme version of the 599 GTB

Bridging the gap between the roadgoing 599 GTB Fiorano and the track-bound experimental 599XX - and filling the hole left by the Enzo - the 599 GTO promises epic levels of performance (and extreme exclusivity) worthy of the GTO moniker. The prospect first broke cover back in November when internal documents referred to a "599 GTO Limited Edition," and was followed up with more speculative details - including a 700-horsepower output figure - early last month. Now an intrepid observer in Maranello with a camera handy appears to have snapped a camouflaged prototype out in the wild.

Aside from the yards of white vinyl and black tape telling you something's up, this 599 test mule is wearing big black alloys, a blacked-out roof (like that of the 599XX, albeit sans the extra winglets), a monster rear diffuser and Prova-style factory plates. Beyond that there's little to tell, but this is the first evidence we have beyond rumors and conjecture as to what Maranello is up to next.

[Source: alVolante.it]

Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTO, is that you? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Ferrari to show off 599 Hybrid, production model planned

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari

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

News of an impending hybrid from Ferrari is nothing new, but now we appear to have an actual date when the Italian supercar manufacturer plans to show such a vehicle in an official setting. And it's coming soon, during the first week of March at the Geneva Motor Show, says Ferrari CEO Luca di Montezemolo.

The announcement came during the unveiling of Ferrari's new F10 Formula One car, which seems appropriate as it was during the 2009 F1 season when Ferrari first began using its Kinetic Energy Recovery System - a kind of hybrid technology that captures energy normally lost to braking in a flywheel - in actual competition... with mixed results, of course.

We can't say for sure what kind of hybrid setup Ferrari will show off in its 599 super hybrid, but something similar in principle to the race-bred KERS seems like a distinct possibility, and we know the automaker has been dabbling in all-wheel-drive hybrids as well. In any case, Ferrari promises a production hybrid vehicle in the near future. Stay tuned.

Gallery: Ferrari 599XX

[Source: Axis of Oversteer]

Geneva Preview: Ferrari to show off 599 Hybrid, production model planned originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ferrari to show 599 hybrid concept in Geneva

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari

Italian pub, Quattroroute reports Ferrari will show its first road-going hybrid next March at the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the 599 GTB, the Ferrari hybrid is expected to use a derivative of the kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) used on the prancing horse's Formula One cars during part of the 2009 season.

The KERS setup and the concept will reportedly use a lithium ion battery pack, and based on the diagram (right) the road car will have the battery and the power electonics mounted on either side of the rear transaxle, with an electric motor incorporated into the transaxle itself. If the road car is similar to the race car, this will essentially be a mild hybrid system providing automatic start-stop, regenerative braking and electric boost. Judging by the battery size, Ferrari won't offer any pure electric propulsion. The system is expected to boost urban driving mileage by over 30 percent from the current 8.7 mpg (US) to a slightly less miserable 13.8 mpg.

Thanks to Daniele for the tip!

[Source: Quattroroute]

Report: Ferrari to show 599 hybrid concept in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Unique porcelain-finish Ferrari 599 China raises $1.77M at auction

Noah Joseph — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:20:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Auctions, China, Ferrari

Ferrari 599 China special in cracked porcelain by Lu Hao - Click above for high-res image gallery

A Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is an exceptional piece of automotive art. Even more exceptional is the latest model equipped with the Handling GT Evoluzione package. More exceptional still is the limited-edition 599 HGTE made exclusively for the Chinese market. But even in this rarified territory, there exists one 599 HGTE China special that stands apart. We reported on it about a month ago, and it's now been sold at auction.

The one-off Fiorano was hand painted by Chinese artist Lu Hao with a pattern reminiscent of the sought-after Ge Liln porcelain of the Song Dynasty. This unique example was sold on Tuesday to an anonymous collector from Shanghai, who paid the equivalent of $1.77 million for the privilege. The proceeds are earmarked towards helping aspiring Chinese automotive engineers to make it to Italy for further studies and an internship opportunity at Maranello. On hand for the auction event, held at the Red Gate Gallery in Beijing, were the artist, Ferrari executives, faculty members from the participating schools and none other than Michael Schumacher himself. Follow the jump for full details in the press release, and see more in our high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: Ferrari 599 in cracked porcelain by Lu Hao

[Source: Ferrari]

Continue reading Unique porcelain-finish Ferrari 599 China raises $1.77M at auction

Unique porcelain-finish Ferrari 599 China raises $1.77M at auction originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:20:00 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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First Ride: Devon GTX hopes to be an American Ferrari 599

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, First Drives, Specialty, Luxury

2010 Devon GTX - Click above for high-res image gallery

When news of the Devon GTX first wafted our way, we didn't know what to think of it. Another bit of pretty vaporware being shown to attract investors? Another pet project from some megalomaniac with dreams of grandeur? Another American supercar boasting record-breaking performance with nothing but hot air to back up its claims? Or was it the real deal? Could Scott Devon and his team actually pull it off - could they deliver on the promise of building a truly great American supercar that could equal the world's finest?

Early reports showed that the Devon GTX would have the same power-to-weight ratio as the Ferrari Enzo with 650 horsepower propelling its 3,000 pounds, but the actual benchmark, we would later learn, was the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. When the first pre-production car went out and set the production car lap record at Laguna Seca, it looked like they might not be bluffing about the numbers. And seeing the same car attract more than its fair share of attention from the highly jaded cognoscenti on the concept lawn at Pebble Beach made us think they might not be crazy after all. So did they pull it off? Did Devon actually succeed in building a car that could rival Maranello's front-engined supercar? We stopped by Aria Group, the Irvine-based specialty manufacturing facility that will be handling Devon production to find out. Follow the jump to see if the Devon GTX might just be the real thing.

Gallery: First Ride: Devon GTX

Continue reading First Ride: Devon GTX hopes to be an American Ferrari 599

First Ride: Devon GTX hopes to be an American Ferrari 599 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Novitec Rosso launches 660 HP Stage 3 kit for Ferrari 599 GTB

Noah Joseph — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Ferrari

Novitec Rosso Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Stage 3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Everything in moderation. Not exactly the kind of message you'd expect from a firm like Novitec Rosso. The Dutch tuning house made its reputation taking some of the most powerful road rockets known to man and tuning them even further. In the case of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano - widely acclaimed as one of the best driver's cars on the road - Novitec released a modified version packing twin superchargers for an astounding 808 horsepower last November. But in light of that being perhaps a bit too much machine for even Novitec's speed-crazed clientele, the tuner has now released a somewhat more reserved package for the V12 super-GT.

By tuning the engine management and fitting a new exhaust system, Novitec has squeezed an extra forty horses out of the Prancing Stallion for a total output of 660 horsepower. The exhaust has quad 90mm tips protruding from the rear diffuser and their pitch is controllable from the steering wheel-mounted Manettino switch. The adjustable suspension can be raised from inside the cockpit to clear curbs, and Novitec has fitted three-piece modular wheels - 20 inches up front and 21 in the rear. There's a full custom lighting kit, plus plenty of bespoke options for the interior.

As you can see, Novitec also offers a full range of aerodynamic enhancements, including a new lip spoiler up front, new wing around back and custom rocker panels along the sides, all available either color-keyed or in varnished carbon fiber. Check out the full skinny in the press release after the jump, as well as the boatload of high-resolution images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Novitec Rosso Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Stage 3

[Source: Novitec Rosso]

Continue reading Novitec Rosso launches 660 HP Stage 3 kit for Ferrari 599 GTB

Novitec Rosso launches 660 HP Stage 3 kit for Ferrari 599 GTB originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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