Latest 2010 Ferrari 599XX preview

Ferrari brought two new versions of the 599 GTB Fiorano to its show stand in Switzerland — a handling package, called the HGTE (for Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione), as well as the 599XX, which will no doubt prove to be one of the world's greatest track-day cars.

The "select group of clients" who buy the Ferrari 599XX (which is not designed for competition use) will be getting a car that the company says "incorporates the most advanced technologies resulting from Ferrari's road -going and Formula 1 research." The output of the 599's 6.0-liter V-12 was increased from 611 bhp to 700 bhp (DIN) through modifications to its combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts; redline was raised to 9000 rpm (from 8400).

Ferrari says the 599XX features a "plethora of aerodynamic, electronic control and handling innovations used together for the first time on a single car, making this model a genuine technological laboratory." One of those innovations is what Ferrari calls the "Actiflow" system, which increases downforce or cuts drag depending on the car's cornering attitude, "courtesy of the use of a porous material in the diffuser and two fans in the trunk which channel the air flow from under the car out through the two grilles next to the taillights." Ferrari says the 599XX produces 617 lb. of downforce at 124 mph and almost 1400 lb. of downforce at 186 mph. The F1-derived "doughnuts" partly covering the wheels and brake discs improve both aerodynamics and brake cooling.

Speaking of the brakes, the 599XX's carbon-ceramic brake system now uses carbon pads, which allow for smaller calipers and, hence, even more weight savings, while further pounds were shaved by the car's extensive use of carbon-fiber body panels. The car's extra power, active downforce devices, improved grip (the 599XX uses 19-in. slicks front and rear) and reduced weight resulted in a lap time of 1 minute 17 sec. around Ferrari's Fiorano race track.

Ferrari will organize a series of track days specifically for owners of the 599XX in 2010 and 2011.

2009 Ferrari 599XX Prototype Specifications

Chassis
Brakes	Carbon-ceramic composite disc with carbon fiber brake "doughnuts"
Wheels	19 inch Ferrari carbon fiber spoke alloy
Tires Front	Racing slicks, 29/67 R19
Tires Rear	Racing slicks, 31/71 R19
Drivetrain
Layout	Mid-Engine, RWD
Transmission	F1-style 6 Speed with paddle shifters, 60 ms shift times
Differential	LSD
Engine
Type:	599 GTB Fiorano-derived V12
Displacement	6.0 liters
Horsepower	700 horsepower @ 9000 rpm
Induction	Naturally aspirated
Exterior
Body Type	2 Door, 2 Seat Track Car

2009 Ferrari 599XX innovative electronic concept called the "High Performance Dynamic Concept"

While based on the 599 GTB Fiorano with the same transaxle layout and engine type, this prototype is an extreme track car. Ferrari's engineers have carried out extensive work on the engine's combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts. These modifications, combined with the fact that internal attrition has been reduced and the maximum revs have been boosted to 9,000 rpm, helped achieve the target power output of 700 hp at 9,000 rpm. Particular attention was also paid to cutting the weight of the engine unit components. This was achieved both by optimising forms - as in the new crankshaft - and adopting exclusive materials, as in the carbon-fibre used for the intake plenums. A new gearbox shift strategy cuts overall gearchange times to 60 ms.


The 599XX is characterised by an innovative electronic concept called the "High Performance Dynamic Concept" which has been designed to get the maximum performance from the car by managing the combination of the car's mechanical limits with the potential of its electronic controls. The mechanical and electronic systems work together to get the maximum performance from the car under extreme high performance driving, for consistent lap times. The sporty handling has been improved thanks to the adoption of second generation SCM suspension system. Track usage is also made easier thanks to the new "virtual car engineer", a screen in the car that provides a real-time indication of the vehicle's efficiency.



The 599XX's aerodynamics were honed in numerous wind tunnel test sessions with the result that the car now boasts 280 kg of downforce at 200 km/h (630 kg at 300 km/h). The front underside of the body is completely faired-in and the vents that channel hot air from the engine bay have been moved to the bonnet.

The "Actiflow" system increases downforce and/or cuts drag depending on the car's trim cornering conditions, courtesy of the use of a porous material in the diffuser and two fans in the boot which channel the air flow from under the car out through two grilles next to the tail-lights. Winglets have been added to the rear buttresses to increase downforce. while synthetic jets have also been incorporated into the rear of the car to control and smooth the air flow and to reduce drag.


Ferrari's engineers have also used F1-derived "doughnuts" which partly cover the brake discs and wheel rim. These have the dual function of improving both aerodynamics and brake cooling.

In terms of the bodywork, composites and carbon-fibre have been widely used and the engineers drew on their experience in working with aluminium to reach the weight target. The development of increasingly high-performance materials has also benefited the carbon-ceramic material braking system. The brake pads are now made from carbon-fibre which means that the callipers are smaller whilst guaranteeing the same efficiency. The new racing carbon ceramic braking system also delivers shorter braking distances and is generally more efficient due to the weight saving.



The 599XX comes with slick tyres (29/67 R19 Front and 31/71 R19 Rear) specifically developed to maximise stability in cornering and increase lateral acceleration. They are fitted to 19 x 11J wheel rims at the front and 19 x 12J at the rear.

Ferrari Enzo "Formula One technology"

The Enzo Ferrari is a 12 cylinder mid-engine berlinetta named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It is currently one of the most powerful naturally aspirated production cars. It was built in 2002 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fibre body, F1-style sequential shift transmission, and Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) ceramic composite disc brakes. Also used are technologies not allowed in F1 such as active aerodynamics and traction control. After a downforce of 775 kg (1,709 lb) is reached at 300 km/h (186 mph) the rear wing is actuated by computer to maintain that downforce.
The Enzo's V12 engine is the first of a new generation for Ferrari. It is based on the architecture of the V8 found in sister-company Maserati's Quattroporte, using the same basic architecture and 104 mm (4.1 in) bore spacing. This design will replace the former architectures seen in V12 and V8 engines used in most other contemporary Ferraris. The 2005 F430 is the second Ferrari to get a version of this new powerplant.

In 2004, Sports Car International named the Enzo Ferrari number three on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 2000s.
Motor Trend Classic named the Enzo as number four in their list of the ten "Greatest Ferraris of all time".

General Info
Price: $643,330
Miles Per Gallon: --- mpg
Curb Weight: 2767 lbs
Layout: Mid-Engine/RWD
Transmission: 6-Speed Semi-Automatic

Engine

Type: V12
Displacement: 5998 cc
Horsepower: 660 bhp @ 7800 rpm
Torque: 472 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm
Redline: 8200 rpm

Performance
0-60 mph: 3.6 sec
0-100 mph: 6.3 sec
Quarter Mile: 11 sec @ 130 mph
Skidpad: ---
Top Speed: 217 mph
Braking, 60-0 mph: --- ft
Slalom Speed: --- mph