Case Study- Ferrari's 'Laboratorio Technologico' a.k.a 599XX + New Image Gallery

29/04/2009 - 15:40 | ,  ,  ,  ,   | Dave

Welcome to the world's fastest "technological laboratory" on four wheels! It's daintily called 599XX ;), which we thought is a leaner, meaner and a hardcore flame spitting version of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. But unfortunately, it turns out that the 599XX shares only its looks with the 599 GTB and nothing else.

Why is the 599XX called a 'technological laboratory'?

No, the driver does not have to wear a white lab coat.

This car incorporates the very best of Ferrari technology (Formula 1 and Road car expertise put together). Be it aerodynamics, electronic control, handling innovations, any technology that Ferrari is working on, its all in this car somewhere. Ultimately, its a reality check on Ferrari by Ferrari, to understand its own potential and see how far it can take its road cars.

How different is 599XX from the Ferrari GTB Fiorano?

The 599XX uses a modified 6.0L V12 GTB engine – capable of 700hp and can rev upto 9,000 Rpm. Ferrari’s engineers have carried out extensive work on the engine’s combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts. Its unique black wheels covered with racing slicks transfers the power onto the tarmac. Carbon ceramic disc brakes bring the car back to rest. A new gearbox shift strategy also cuts overall gearchange times to just 60ms.

The car boasts 280kg of downforce at 200km/h and a whooping 630kg at 300km/h - thanks to the aerodynamic tweaks. The front underside of the body is completely faired-in and the vents that channel hot air from the engine bay have been moved to the bonnet.

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Winglets have been added to the rear buttresses to increase downforce, while synthetic jets have also been incorporated into the rear of the car to control and smooth the air flow and to reduce drag.

This is the first road car to feature F1-derived “doughnuts” with partly cover wheel rims. These serve the function of improving aerodynamics and brake cooling.

This car is “aimed at a select group of clients” — which means, you are not getting one unless your million dollar garage can accomodate another Ferrari.
Since it is a thoroughbred track car, it is not street legal. Sadly, we are not aware of the acceleration and top speed figures, but we know one crucial factor that speaks volumes about the car. A Fiorano lap time of 1 minute 17 seconds, enough said.

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