Uber Ferrari 599XX gets, well, even more uber

The Ferrari 599XX is about as exclusive as a talented X Factor contestant, but, as of 2012, those carbon-loving engineers at Bologna have tweaked the uber Ferrari to supernova levels.

Taking pride of place on the racing and road brand’s stand at the upcoming Bologna Motor Show will be the latest evolution of the ultra-extreme, non-homologated sports berlinetta, the 599XX, ready for the 2012-2013 racing season. X-rated? Oh yes! 

Based on Ferrari’s most expensive road car and packed with the sort of top-end tech that keeps Alonso lapping at big speeds, the razor’d 599XX now features improved chassis dynamics thanks to an active aerodynamic package that’s freshly integrated with the vehicles’ electronic control systems. New, I’m assuming, even stickier Pirelli tyres also help shave the lap times, as does a 20bhp boost in power to 750bhp, and a trimming of what little fat must be left, down a further 35kg. The end-of-the-world-howl is now played out via side-exit exhausts, with the shorter pipework helping to unleash those extra pranching ponies. 

The basis of this new and cunning aero is an active rear wing design concept called “opening gap”. The new wing features two flaps, with profiles similar to those used in Formula 1, which rotate electronically to adjust the downforce between the front and rear axles in relation to vehicle speed and the manoeuvre being effected. The result of this concept is better cornering performance. 

The 599XX active rear wing is actuated automatically according to specific parameters which are integrated with the car’s other control functions (ESP, ABS, SCM and F1-Trac), and are based on the continuously-monitored parameters of steering wheel angle, longitudinal acceleration and lateral acceleration. 

Total downforce at 120mph is increaed to 330kg when the flaps are open and 440kg when closed, also assisted by a new front splitter and rear diffuser. The new 599XX has been doing some serious laps in the wind tunnel, basically. 

The Bologna Motor Show, which starts this week, will host a whole host of race-only Ferraris, including this 599XX, a 458 Challenge racer and, to wrap up the event in serious style, a “traditional Scuderia Ferrari salute” with a showing of the F10, the single-seater with which Ferrari competed in the 2010 Formula 1 season. The car will be driven by F1 racer Giancarlo Fisichella. 

Petrolhead paradise, or what! 


By Daniel Anslow

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