Pontiac Who?

Written by Nicolas Bates
Photos by Ferrari

When an automobile manufacture, with the specialization and prestige of the likes of Ferrari, replaces their flagship vehicle, it is nothing to scoff at. Consider the Enzo replaced. And to replace it we will see the 2011 Ferrari 599 GTO, a street legal version of Ferrari’s track only car: the 599XX. The 2011 599 GTO is currently the fastest street legal Ferrari in the history books.

Ferrari had four main objectives in mind with the 599 GTO: decrease weight, increase power, decrease understeer and increase downforce. To decrease weight, the car’s FI transmission was forced to diet and loose 18 lbs., the exhaust lost 29 lbs., thanks to new hydroforming technology (which allows for thinner tubing and fewer beads), the trunklid is now created from weight saving aluminum, and the underbody has been redeveloped to score a savings of 68 lbs. Not to mention, Ferrari opted for thinner windows to save weight as well. Overall, the car comes in with a dry weight of 3,295 lbs. To combat the all too known understeer issue, Ferrari has added stiffer springs, redesigned magnetorheoligical shock absorbers, a larger rear anti roll bar, and largely important 40 mm wider front tires. Coupled with the F1 Trac traction control system, and you are looking at virtually no understeer. Aerodynamics were scrutinized and improvements include a new front bumper and spoiler, a wider rear bumper with a larger trunk wing, which helps add to the car’s 317 lbs. of downforce at 124 mph, with an apparent zero increase in drag. Other additions include a larger rear diffuser. Which, if nothing else, just looks amazing. Although, not in full 599XX garb, the 599 GTO takes much of what was learned from the designing and testing of the 599XX track-only car.

On to the nitty gritty…what makes this thing go? The 599 GTO is powered by a 6.0L V12. This V12, Ferrari says, is, “…about 90% of the 599XX’s engine.” The allegations of incest are true, with the 599XX even sharing its crankshaft and intake system. The GTO gets new connecting rods and pistons, and gets its compression upped from (the 599 GTB’s 11.2:1) to a whopping 11:9.1. Premium please! The GTO gets to share the XX’s exhaust, however, with added catalytic converters. Our horsepower and torque numbers come out to 661 bhp at 8,250 rpm and 458 lb/ft of tq at 6,500 rpm. Coupled with the F1 transmission and upshifts taking 60 milliseconds, and downshifts taking 120 milliseconds, respectively, you are in for a “neck jerking”. The 599 GTO will also perform multiple downshifts if its captain so desires. All that is needed is the downshift paddle to be held down and the result is perfectly timed and “throttle blipped” downshifting ecstasy.

The 599 GTO has a very “streetable” look – a trait I see as positive. Ferrari, with its Enzo’s and F40’s can really accentuate the “exotic” in their exotic cars, but the 599 GTO looks more subtle, more refined. It is heavily reminiscent of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage bodylines. Its hood long and sloping, with a heavy curvature toward the end, and mating perfectly with a wide front bumper, which houses large vents, both front and center, and left and right. The 599 GTO has a 6 Series BMW feel to it where the side windows meet the rear of the car. The decklid screams “550 Maranello”, yet, only has single, circular taillights. The rear diffuser adds a very aggressive feel to the already very confident, and domineering 599 GTO.

The Ferrari 599 GTO is sure to go down in the history books as a very serious machine, with very serious advancements. And with only 599 units being made (oh, so crafty, Ferrari) you can bet people will surely pay the $460,000 price tag to be able to park a piece of automobile history in their garage. Not to mention the opportunity to drive a car that is the closest possible relative to the amazing machine that is the non-production Ferrari 599XX.

For more info go to:
Ferrari.com