Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano: First Look

Motoring Channel Staff - 3/Mar/2006

Lamborghini may have released its retro Miura concept to much fanfare and sentimentality in late 2005, but its most fierce rival isn't about to let the lime lights linger.

With the release of the 599 GTB Fiorano at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, Ferrari presented its most powerful V12-engined production car of all time.

The 5,999cc 12-cylinder engine generates 620 horsepower @ 7600rpm, which is about 456kW using the Australian measure, all of which is directed to the rear wheels for what should be a devastatingly rapid exotic vehicle.

The 599 in the GTB's name represents the size of the V12 engine (5.99-litres), just like its predecessors the 550 and 575M Maranello, where the GTB stands for Grand Touring Berlinetta. And Fiorano? It's a race track, naturally.

Ferrari explains that its latest model is symbolic of it's continued production of the now legendary V12 Berlinetta and represents the latest interpretation of a theme that has seen such classics as the 250 GT, the 275 GTB, and the 365 GTB4.

The American market will be vital to the 599 GTB's success (hence its sneak preview in Detroit), as Amedeo Felisa, Ferrari's vice general manager, personally announced the birth of the latest model, much to the satisfaction of the passionate Prancing Horsemen.

As Ferrari explains, the new car is a concentration of it's most innovative and technologically advanced engineering solutions, which have been applied to a mid-front engined 2-seater coupé.

The result, insists Ferrari, is a new benchmark for performance, driver involvement and design.

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano boasts class-leading power thanks to its 5,999cc V12 - derived directly from the Enzo Ferrari super car - which produces no less than 456kW/620hp @ 7600rpm for a power-to-weight ratio of just 2.6kg per horsepower.

The Fiorano's engine delivers a maximum torque of 608Nm @ 5600 rpm, and has a rev limiter that kicks in @ 8400rpm. Ferrari says thatdevelopment work on the Fiorano focused specifically on the distinctive sound the engine makes, reducing mechanical resonance in favour of a pure V12 soundtrack from both the intake manifold and the exhaust system.

With its high revving V12 engine, the  new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano will sprints from 0 to 100km/h in an astonishing 3.7 seconds and boasts a top speed in excess of 330km/h. As for the gearbox, Ferrari will debut a new generation F1 transmission in the 599 GTB Fiorano; a further development of the F1 gearbox used on all of the models in the Ferrari range.

The famous Italian sports car maker explains that the F1-SuperFast system enhances the car's high-performance capabilities by integrating the electronic engine and gearbox management programmes to speed up gear change times. The various stages involved in changing the gears are implemented in parallel (non-sequentially) and this results in exceptionally fast gear shifting. In fact, it cuts overall gear-shift times to just 100ms. The system is integrated with the manettino and the driver is still free to choose between either the Automatic mode or the Launch Control setting which offers smoother starts from standstill.

The Fiorano will also be offered with F1-Trac, a world first for Ferrari that increases road-holding, safety and stability. The system continually monitors the speed of both front and rear wheels and features predictive software that estimates the maximum available grip in advance, compares this information with the vehicle dynamics model stored in the control system, and adjusts its reactions to suit, optimising traction by modulating power delivery.

The result is easier, smoother high-performance driving, thanks to maximum grip out of bends (a 20% increase in acceleration compared to a traditional traction and stability control system) and predictable handling even in extreme situations. The F1-Trac is integrated with the manettino which adapts the car's behaviour to the driving conditions: the Sport setting provides the best balance between stability and performance on the road while Race ensures clients maximum performance combined with consistently predictable handling. 

Ferrari's super powerful grand tourer also features an incredibly cool suspension system whose dampers/shocker absorbers use a fluid whose viscosity can be modified thanks to the application of an electronically controlled magnetic field. In other words, the suspension damping systems can react almost instantaneously to changes in the road surface. Ferrari calls the system SCM, or Magnetorehological Suspension Control, which is unlike a traditional oleodynamic system.

In practice, this system makes for greatly improved body control, which in turn directly improves handling and road-holding thanks to optimal tyre grip in all road conditions. The result is a much safer and more enjoyable driving experience courtesy of reduced roll and greater control when accelerating, braking and cornering. Again, the SCM is a world first for Ferrari, with the 599 GTB Fiorano its first high performance sports car to be fitted with the application.

Ferrari has also adopted the latest evolution in its tried and tested all-aluminium construction technology for the body and chassis to keep weight down, yet retain high levels of torsional rigidity.

The unmistakable Pininfarina design gives the Ferrari 559 GTB aggressive yet elegant lines which have been integrated with the advanced aerodynamic solutions put to use, which Ferrari claims will help the 2-seater to reach the performance figures attainable.

There's even a vast choice of personalisation options available for every Ferrari model. Four areas are covered by this programme: Racing and Track, Exteriors and Colours, Interior and Materials, Equipment and Travel.

The Racing and Track options for the 599 GTB include CCM (Carbon Ceramic Material) brakes, 20-inch Challenge one-piece rims with run-flat tyres, four-point harnesses and a cockpit roll-bar, while Scuderia wheel arch shields and coloured brake calipers complete the look for sportier clients.

Interior and Materials options include a new Enzo Ferrari-inspired carbon-fibre interior update, that includes steering wheel with LED rev display, and a special carbon-fibre trim kit for the cockpit. Various types of leather trim are also available for the seats and interior too. Travel and Equipment accessories include front and rear parking sensors, iPod-friendly set-up, satellite anti-theft system and a luggage set specially tailored to fit this model.

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano replaces the last in that great line of berlinettas, the 575M Maranello, of which - together with the 550 Maranello introduced in 1996 - no fewer than 5,700 have been produced, a record for this type of model for the Prancing Horse.

In addition to the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and the F2005 single-seater, an F430 Spider, an F430 and a 612 Scaglietti, all of which offer the Prancing Horse's signature performance, will be on show at the Ferrari stand in Geneva.