GENEVA — In what could be a clear sign that Ferrari is thinking fast and hard while sales dip, at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show , the automaker has introduced something along the exclusive lines of the Enzo-based FXX for the 599 GTB Fiorano. It's called the 599XX.
Power from the 6.0-liter V12 engine is massaged up to 690 horsepower from the standard car's 612 hp. Redline has also been let loose up to 9,000 rpm from the standard 8,400 rpm. The 599XX is strictly intended for optimized track time, so it has not been homologated for any road use regulations — a sort of poor man's FXX, you might say.
Intake and exhaust schemes have been redesigned for straighter paths and quicker flow-through, the carbon fiber air box has been augmented for deeper breathing, cylinder heads are of a new design, and friction of all moving parts has been minimized to the maximum.
Channeling of the quickly passing air has also been rethought, Formula 1 style. Now the underbelly has no cooling gurney flaps for engine fluids but the radiator flow-through of wind up front has been augmented to increase the cooling effect. At the rear, all the passing flow feeds through a porous material used in the diffuser. The design is labeled Actiflow. With it, air follows its natural swirl path up and out of two vents near the taillights. To maintain solid stability while minimizing the drag, two small F1-style wings sprout from the C-pillars.
As a result of all of this aero work, Ferrari states that front vertical load at 125 mph has doubled to 620 pounds and to 1,390 pounds at 185 mph. Actiflow and the side winglets maintain a low drag balance despite all of that downforce, so the 599XX laps the Fiorano test track in 1 minute and 17 seconds, or 9.5 seconds faster than the stock 599 GTB Fiorano.
Tires are specially formulated wide slicks on 19-by-11-inch wheels up front and 19-by-12-inchers in back. Brakes are carbon-ceramic with new aluminum calipers that allow the latest braking ever on a street Ferrari, according to a Ferrari engineer. All four wheels sport F1-style wheel donuts to improve aerodynamics here also as well as brake cooling. Shifts from the F1 gearbox now are down to 60 milliseconds.
The new High Performance Dynamics Concept makes possible better cornering and ride characteristics via a second generation of the Delphi magnetorheological dampers. There is also a more sophisticated onboard database that displays more complete information on the status of the car.
Ferrari plans a private series of customer races starting in 2010, shortly after the start of deliveries. Price has not been announced yet, but Ferrari says the car will be available worldwide, including the United States.
Inside Line says: More track time fun and frolics for the rich seeking a break from the constant reports of their diminishing riches. — Matt Davis, Correspondent
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