Ferrari started out their XX based Corse Clienti program with a track tuned evolution of the Enzo super car called the FXX, now it has the 599 GTB Fiorano inspired 599XX for their most privileged of customers to fool around in. The essence of both cars is the same; they were both designed for the exclusive clientele program and are both used for testing new racing technology. The 599’s engine now delivers a maximum output of 700 HP at a screaming 9,000 RPM and is mated to an all new SuperFast gearbox that is able to swap cogs in a mere 60 milliseconds.
The 599XX is characterized by an innovative system called the "High Performance Dynamic Concept" which has been designed to get the maximum performance from the vehicle by managing the combination of the car’s mechanical limits with the potential of its electronic controls.
Updated 02/01/2010: New image gallery from Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit where Felipe Massa was at the wheel on the last day of the Ferrari 599XX’s on track debut activities. Check the picture gallery!
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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Ferrari revealed today the first official images and specifications for the 2010 Formula 1 race car. The model will be called F10 and will weight less that 95 kg.
The F10 will use a 2398 cm3 eight-cylinder engine with electronic injection and ignition mated to a semiautomatic sequential electronically controlled gearbox.
Stay tuned for more details!
Technical Specifications and press release after the jump.
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Not too long ago Ferrari announced plans to resurrect the Gran Turismo Omologato moniker with a special edition 599 Fiorano. The super very special 599 GTO will be unveiled in March at the Geneva Motor Show with a scheduled production run of only 500 units, each priced at around half a million dollars each. This will be the first time that the Italian automaker has used the GTO badge since the F40 super car inspiring 288 GTO.
The 599 GTO will be a road going version of the Ferrari Corse Clienti special, the Ferrari 599XX. Through the extensive use of lightweight carbon fiber, essentially dropping about 300 pounds from the GT car, bringing the curb weight down to 1450 kilograms. Meanwhile the high revving 6.0 Liter V12 will be tuned to deliver somewhere between 680 HP and 700 HP making the future 599 GTO a real beast that will be able to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in only 3.2 seconds and gallop all the way to a 217 MPH top speed.
In late 1968 Ferrari replaced the 330 GTC with the 365 GTC. The new model was in fact a re-engine of the 330 GTC, featuring almost the same design. Differences were limited to non-vented front fenders and a vented hood. Until 1970, when the car was discontinued Ferrari produced 168 units, in both left hand and right hand drive configuration.
Like the 330 GTC models, the bodies were built at the Pininfarina works in Turin, then delivered fully trimmed to Ferrari for fitments of the mechanical components.
The 365 GTC was built on a 2400mm wheelbase tubular steel chassis with the layout virtually identical to that of the models replaced, as the only mechanical change that had occurred was in the size of the engine. The standard road wheels were the ten-hole alloy design, as fitted to their predecessor, whilst similarly Borrani wire wheels were available as an option.
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In 1966 Lamborghini unveiled the Miura sports car. We might say that this was the moment when Enzo Ferrari might have regret telling Lamborghini to focus on his tractors and let him worry about the cars. So it was his move, unless he wanted his sales to hurt a lot.
In 1966 Pininfarina designer Leonardo Fioravanti decided is time for him to create something unique. He took a standard 330 GTC chassis and mostly focused on improving its aerodynamics. So, in the autumn of 1968 at the Paris Motor Show Ferrari was presenting the 365 GTB (365 being the size of one cylinder in cubic centimeters, 4 referring to the engine’s four cams), also known as the "Daytona" in recognition of the Ferrari 1-2-3 victory in the Daytona 24-Hour Race in 1967.
The 356 GTB4 was the last model made by Ferrari before Enzo sold his company to Fiat in June 1969. It was also the last 12-cylinder Ferrari to be sold new in the USA (through official channels) until 1984, when the Testarossa was announced.
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In 1967 at the Paris Auto Show Ferrari unveiled the 365 GT 2+2 as a replacement for the 330 GT 2+2. The car remained into production until 1971 with more than 800 units being produced all in only one version.
It was the first Ferrari to feature power steering and air conditioning as standard for the American market, as well as a spacious luggage compartment and two proper rear seats.
Like all the latest Ferrari it was designed by Pininfarina, with the cars were constructed and trimmed at their works, before shipment to the Ferrari factory for fitment of the mechanical components.
In designing the car Pininfarina took their inspiration from 365 California, but added bulkier quarter bumpers and incorporated side/turn light assemblies in the front face that were unique to this model. It also featured black plastic engine bay exhaust air louvres on the scuttle, either side of the trailing edge of the bonnet.
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In 1968 Ferrari replaced the 330 GTS with the 365 GTS spider, a model with a very short life. In less than a year of existence Ferrari built only 20 units of the car, becoming one of the rarest Ferrari of the time.
On the exterior the 365 GTS looked almost identical to the 330 GTS; the exception was made by the omission of the exhaust air outlets on the front wing sides, which were replaced by a trapezoidal black plastic louvre panel close to each trailing corner of the bonnet. Also the "330" logo was replaced with only the "Ferrari" badge.
On the interior Ferrari also added two circular directional demister outlets in the centre of the dash top.
Like most of the Ferrari the 365 GTS was built at the Pininfarina works in Turin, then delivered fully trimmed to Ferrari for fitment of the mechanical components.
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If until now Ferrari was producing only models that were about being as special and as exclusive as possible, now it was time for Ferrari to focus on reducing cost, but also on increasing the sales. Back in 1959 Ferrari was already using the 196 S Dino in the in the Formula 2 racings, so we might say they already have the experience of building small engines.
The Dino name was first used on Ferrari cars with vee engines in the late fifties, on Formula 1 and sports-racing models. It was the Christian name of the son of Enzo Ferrari, who had died in 1956, and was used in his memory as he was working on a vee-engine project prior to his death.
In 1965 at the Paris Motor Show Ferrari unveiled the Dino 206 GT Speciale prototype - a design study for a road car, based on the chassis of a sports-racing model, with an in-line, mid-engined placement. In 1966 the second prototype followed. It featured an elliptical radiator opening with the headlights now wing-mounted under perspex covers. There was a higher roof to the cabin, carrying a similar rear screen and sail panel profile to the original, with quarter bumpers at each corner, showing the evolution from concept car to production model. By the time the next prototype appeared during 1967, the body was almost in its definitive form. The engine cover and boot lid were still one panel, and the strake in the door scallop had disappeared, fitted instead with door handles straight off the recently announced 365 GT 2+2, and alloy wheels that mirrored those fitted to the Fiat Dino.
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With the Ferrari 365 GTB4 revealed at the 1968 Paris Auto Salon, the company wanted to create the "ultimate Ferrari". Proving to be a very successful model, the berlinetta was very shortly followed by a spider version.
In 1969 at the Frankfurt Show Ferrari unveiled the 365 GTS/4, a model received enthusiastically by the public. The model was visually identical to the 365 GTB4, only the folding canvas roof and boot profile being different.
The 365 GTS4 was a very successful model, especially on the American marker where most than 10% of 365 GTB4 model were sold. The car is still considered a cult car, even if there were only 122 units produced.
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Revealed in 1968, the Dino 206 GT saw its first evolution in 1969 in the version of Dino 246 GT. The new model came with a larger V6 engine and a wheelbase lengthened by 60 mm. During 1969 and 1974 Ferrari produced 2,487 units, with a price at the moment of $14,000.
The new Dino was a tribute to Enzo’s son Alfredo Ferrari, more commonly known as Dino, who died in 1956 from muscular dystrophy. The Dino 246 GT made its official debut at the Turin Show in November 1969, although the production run had already commenced. Like most of the Ferrari models it was designed by Pininfarina and built by Scaglietti at the Maranello assembly facility.
During the production period of the 246 GT from 1969 to 1974, there were no major changes to any features, although various smaller items and details did change, leading to the three series of cars referred to as "L", "M" and "E". The 246’s biggest change came with the March 1972 Geneva Auto Show introduction of the 246 GTS, which featured a one-piece removable targa top panel.
Continued after the jump.
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