Pininfarina styled the 599 GTB under the direction of Jason Castriota. It debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2006. The bodywork features optimized aerodynamics with distinct sail panels flanking the rear window, directing and maximizing air flow to a linear rear nolder. The 599 is named for its total engine displacement 5,999 cc (6.0 L), Gran Turismo Berlinetta nature, and the Fiorano Circuit test track used by Ferrari.
The 6.0 L (5,999 cc) Tipo F140 C V12 engine utilized in the 599 produces a maximum power output of 460 kW; 610 hp (620 PS) between 7,600 rpm to 8,400 rpm. This made it the most powerful series production Ferrari road car at the time of its introduction. When introduced, the engine was one of the few engines whose output exceeded 75 kW; 100 PS (100 hp) per litre of displacement without the use of forced-induction such as supercharging or turbocharging. Its 608 N⋅m (448 lbf⋅ft) of torque produced at 5,600 rpm was also a record for Ferrari's GT cars at the time. Most modifications to the engine were done to allow it to fit in the 599's engine bay. A traditional 6-speed manual transmission was offered, as well as Ferrari's 6-speed automated manual paddle-shift transmission called "F1 SuperFast." The 599 also saw the debut of Ferrari's new traction control system, F1-Trac. Only 30 examples were produced with a manual gearbox, leading Ferrari to abandon its use in future GT cars. The 599 GTB Fiorano was the last V12-engined Ferrari to be equipped with manual transmission.
The 599 saw the use of an aluminium chassis for the first time in a Ferrari GT car, as opposed to the tubular steel chassis used in its predecessors. The new chassis results in more rigidity and contributes to the low dry weight of 1,690 kg (3,726 lb) as compared to its predecessor, the 575M. The 599 has a longer wheelbase than its predecessor and the fuel tank is positioned at the rear in a mid mounted position for better weight distribution.
The 599 utilizes an underbody spoiler and venturi tunnels that contribute to downforce. The arched C-pillars in a 'flying buttress' style also aid further in downforce by channeling the air around the rear section, thus eliminating the need of a rear wing. The buttresses were initially a styling exercise by exterior designer Jason Castriota. Their aerodynamic effect was proven by Ferrari aerodynamicist Luca Caldirola with wind tunnel testing. The car also has functional brake cooling ducts on the front and rear body panels for improved brake cooling.
The 599 utilizes magnetorheological semi-active dampers along with its suspension coils. The dampers function by a liquid within the damper reservoir which, when subject to a magnetic field within the liquid chamber, changes its viscosity. The 599 came with cast iron brakes as standard, while carbon-ceramic brakes were available as an option. The rotors measured 398 mm (15.7 in) at the front and 360 mm (14 in) at the rear.
The 599 came with a luxurious leather-trimmed interior. The driver's seat was positioned slightly towards the center to provide a better driving position. The instrument cluster was a combination of analogue gauges and screens. The shift paddles could either be optioned in aluminium or in carbon fiber and were affixed to the steering column. The three-spoke steering wheel housed controls for the car's electronic systems as well as a starter button.
Performance claimed by Ferrari:
0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds
0-200 km/h (124 mph) in 11.1 seconds
Top speed: 330 km/h (205.05 mph)
Motor Trend tested a 599 GTB Fiorano in January of 2007. The car accelerated from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.2 seconds (with 1 foot rollout subtracted), 0-100 mph (161 km/h) in 7.1 seconds, and ran the quarter-mile in 11.3 seconds at 126.4 mph. Braking from 60-0 mph took 105 feet.
The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE (HGTE being an abbreviation of Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) is an upgrade package for the 599 designed to improve the car's handling. It includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar, as well as new calibration settings for the Delphi MagneRide magneto-rheological shock absorbers. The ride height has also been lowered, resulting in a low center of gravity. The package also includes optimized tires featuring a compound that offers improved grip. The gearbox's shift times were faster in high-performance settings, while new engine software provided improved response.
On 8 April 2010, Ferrari announced official details of the 599 GTO (for Gran Turismo Omologato). The car was a road-legal version of the 599XX track day car. At the time, Ferrari claimed that the 599 GTO was their fastest ever road car, able to lap the Fiorano test circuit in 1 minute 24 seconds, one second faster than the Ferrari Enzo. Its engine generated a power output of 490 kW; 660 hp (670 PS) at 8,250 rpm and 620 N⋅m (457 lb⋅ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm. Production was limited to 599 cars. Ferrari has produced only two other models that used the GTO designation: the 1962 250 GTO and the 1984 288 GTO, with the third being the 599 GTO.
At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari unveiled the track-only iteration of the 599 GTB, dubbed the 599XX. Designed by Ferrari's Formula-one engineers, the car has many changes over the standard car to make it more nimble and responsive on a race track. The rev limiter was raised to 9,000 rpm, with the engine rated at 540 kW; 720 hp (730 PS) at 9,000 rpm. A new gearbox was introduced to cut overall gear change time to 60 milliseconds. The 599XX was capable of accelerating from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 2.9 seconds and attained a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph).
On November 10, 2011, the first images of the 599XX Evoluzione surfaced, which had a radically restyled aero and exhaust package, as well as electronic upgrades and Pirelli racing slicks. On 1 December 2011, Ferrari confirmed details for the 599XX Evoluzione in preparation for the 2011 Bologna Motor Show. The 599XX Evoluzione weighed 35 kg (77 lb) less than the standard 599XX and the engine had slightly improved peak power of 540 kW; 730 hp (740 PS) and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft) of torque. One of the key features of the Evoluzione is its active rear wing.
The roadster variant of the 599, the SA Aperta, was introduced at the 2010 Paris Motor Show as a limited edition in honor of designers Sergio Pininfarina and Andrea Pininfarina. The SA Aperta utilized the higher performance engine and gearbox from the 599 GTO and has a 10 mm (0.4 in) lower ride height, thicker rear anti-roll bar, and recalibrated magnetic dampers. Only 80 examples were produced, honoring the 80th anniversary of Pininfarina.
In December 2011, Ferrari announced a special edition of the 599 GTB to celebrate 60 years of their wins in F1. The car was based on the 599 HGTE chassis, that utilized stiff suspension, shorter springs, and stiffer anti-roll bars. The new 20" diamond-finished forged alloy wheels and Scuderia Ferrari shields came on the body as standard.
The Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta is a one-off convertible sports car based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. This car is the second car in Ferrari's Special Project program. Edward Walson commissioned the car in 2008, asking Ferrari to build a modern interpretation of the gold covered Carrozzeria Fantuzzi-bodied Ferrari 330 LMB built for the 1968 film Spirits of the Dead.
The Ferrari Superamerica 45 is a one-off with a rotating targa hardtop based on the 599 GTB. It was commissioned to Ferrari by longtime Ferrari enthusiast and collector Peter Kalikow to commemorate his 45 years as a Ferrari client. Part of Ferrari's Special Project programme, it was designed at Centro Stile Ferrari and engineered in-house by Ferrari.
The Zagato 599 GTZ Nibbio was introduced in 2007 by Zagato and is based on the Ferrari 599 GTB. It was limited to only nine units worldwide, seven of which were built with the F1 automated manual transmission and two with the 6-speed manual.
The Ferrari SP30 is a one-off based on the 599 GTO and completed in 2013. It is the fifth project completed by Ferrari's special projects division and it includes elements from the 599XX and the F12. It was commissioned by Cheerag Arya, the owner of a petrochemical company.
Motor Authority reported that Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo was working on the development of a Ferrari model that would use alternative energy sources and which would be based on what Ferrari is doing in Formula 1, which uses Kinetic Energy Recovery System. The KERS was tested using a 599 as a test mule. The model was later revealed to be the LaFerrari.
Evo magazine named the 599 GTB as the Car of the Year for 2006.
Top Gear Magazine also named the 599 GTB as the Supercar of the Year 2006.
The successor to the 599 was announced on 29 February 2012, a few days prior to the Geneva Motor Show. Ferrari released a video featuring Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa driving the car at Ferrari's own test track, the Pista di Fiorano. The car, named the F12berlinetta, was officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on 6 March 2012.
This article is based solely on the supplied corpus. No external sources were consulted; claims that could not be substantiated against the corpus were omitted under the drop-the-claim rule.
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