Ferrari 599 GTB, Lightweight Aluminum Frame
The brand-new Ferrari 599 GTB sports an engine similar to that of the Enzo, and replaces the superb F575M. This is a two-seater, having a lot in common with the Scaglietti 2+2. Top speed will be about 205 mph, and the car will shoot to 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds, pushing it up into the exotic car class.
There are not many ultra powerful front-engined two-seaters, so this new car will give drivers who want a practical exotic car more choice. Here is an elegant car that will be able to compete with the best.
Why 599? Well, it would probably have been 600, but Ferrari doesn't like to name its cars the same way as the snoop photographers do when they see an obvious prototype. No one outside Ferrari thought of 599, so 599 it is!
Ferrari 599 GTB pininfarina's style
Pininfarina has done a superb job in designing an up to date style for Ferrari 599 GTB, which is unmistakably Ferrari and combines classic and new ideas. It starts with the classic Ferrari grille, flanked by small intakes for the brakes. There is a modern sloping front end with headlamps faired into the front fenders, and classic lines with up swept rear fenders and a short roof.
Short coach roof, sporty two-seater shape
Air from the radiators is exhausted through two small outlets in the hood, and there are a pair of outlets from the engine compartment just forward of the sharply raked screen pillars. There is a short coach roof, showing the car is unmistakably a two-seater, but the pillars flare back like flying buttresses so the car looks like a fastback from the side.
But this is a cunning illusion. The rear window is more upright, and sharply curved to leave space for a good trunk lid. A small spoiler at the back gives the tail some definition, and there is a circular rear lamp and twin exhaust pipes each side. Overall, this is a great looking car, reflecting the way that Pninfarina and Ferrari work together these days. The styling makes the car look dynamic, all ready to go fast. The elegant five spoke wheels, unmistakably Ferrari, set the car off. It looks just brilliant.
Over 600 bhp Enzo style V-12 Engine
And fast it will be a very fast car. The 6.0 liter V-12 engine is derived from the unit in the Enzo, detuned to 620 bhp at 7,600 rpm compared with 660 bhp at 7,800 rpm in the Enzo. That will make this one of the most powerful front-engined exotic cars you can buy. Who would buy a Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren when you can get a 620 bhp Ferrari that looks as brilliant as Ferrari 599 GTB?
Incidentally, the Scaglietti 5.75 liter V-12 engine develops 540 bhp, and is good for 195 mph, so the Ferrari 599 GTB will have a top speed of 200-205 mph, and should shoot up to 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds.
The engine will be coupled to a sequential gearbox mounted at the rear, and the frame will be aluminum, similar to that of the Scaglieti we can be sure that many components will be similar, but the 599 will be a bit shorter than the Scaglietti and lighter. Suspension will be by double wishbones and coil springs with variable dampers.
The car will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March, so Ferrari is not releasing any more information yet. As soon as we get firm information, we will add it to Fast-Autos, so watch this space for news of this exciting exotic car.