Ferrari 599XX and 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE coming to Geneva

Posted: Feb 27, 2009

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show next week, Ferrari will hold two world premiers both having to do with its 599 GTB Fiorano.

The first will be the dynamic Handling GT Evoluzione (HGTE) Package for the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. It supposedly provides sharper handling and other improvements that Ferrari will offer more details about in Geneva next week.

The second will be the world debut of the Ferrari 599XX which it says is a “technological laboratory aimed at a select group of clients.” Technologies for the 599XX have been influenced by Ferrari’s road-going and F1 research teams. Ferrari says that “many of the technological solutions it carries are being used for the first time and have been developed exclusively for this special car.”

We’re not sure if the 599XX will be a road-legal or a track car or what exactly Ferrari means by “a select group of clients” – but we’ll tell you when we find out more details next week.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE:

Ivan Gutierrez

I hope the 599XX has a large visual change over the the regular 599 GTB. Like what the Enzo had when it became the FXX.

HyBrad

Not likely, and I agree with Pat on the fact that the 599XX will be a track test bench on wheels.

The Fiorano 599 currently holds the record for the largest HP/Liter ratio (103 HP/Liter) for a production car, and the 599XX will have an even larger HP/Liter ratio. Most of the new technology introduced with the 599XX will be about electronics: suspensions, ignition, and transmission.

Both the FXX, and the 599XX are currently used in Maranello (near Modena) and surroundings (Ferrari owns a private track in Maranello) by a group of selected former developers/drivers -Schumaker is one of them- (what Ferrari defines as "selected clients") to allow a smooth, reliable, and secretive transfer of F1 technology onto the upcoming new Ferrari, which is the "F70".

Enzo Ferrari himself developed new cars by using special "XX". For instance, the F40, which was the last car Enzo Ferrari personally worked onto, was developed with a "XX" version of the GTO 288. Back then, the "XX" was called "Evoluzione (Evolution)"

Following is a link that shows a video of of a regular GTO 288, another one that shows a video of the GTO 288 "XX" EVoluzione, and a third one that shows a video of Enzo Ferrari's personal F40.

1) Ferrari GTO 288
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ-N3u0899U

2) GTO 288 "XX" Evoluzione
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mVmCoPHxHw

3) Enzo Ferrari's Personal F40 (The very first F40)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_6bPI0dTyk