Ferrari is busting out a new track burner, well sort-of.  They’ve tweaked and updated the 599XX that debuted at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show for better aerodynamics and power.

The new version made its debute earlier today at the Bologna Motor Show and will be available only to the most loyal of Ferrari clients participating in a track-based research and development program meant to help with the 2012-13 line.

The previous generation had an almost Batmobile-esque look to it, but the new car looks a lot like Ferrari’s take on the Nissan GT-R. Regardless of resemblance, the new styling is meant to improve aerodynamics. That improvement is significant. A new active aero package that takes steering angle, lateral and longitudinal acceleration and speed into account boosts downforce by more than 52 percent in corners.

Along with aerodynamics, a new exhaust gives the 599XX 40 new horses for a total 740  out of the same 6.0 liter V12 boasting a pants-wetting 9000 rpm redline. If that’s not enough, Ferrari also trimmed the car by 77 pounds.

The result? Ferrari can boast a 2 second improvement running on their Fiorano test track compared to the old car.

One of the most prestigious cars any Ferrari fanatic can own is the 599XX. Originally sold in very limited quantities to the most loyal Ferrari customers, one has surfaced for sale on JamesList with a price tag of $1.9 million including VAT taxes.

The 599XX was built by Ferrari and is based on the 599 GTB platform as a test bed for future road cars. It features an upgraded 6.0L V12 powerplant that pushes out 700-hp. Ferrari also lightened the entire body and enhanced the aerodynamics in order to make it a more formidable car on the race track. The result is a 6:58.16 time at the Nordschleife circuit, the second fastest time recorded for a production-derived sports car.

This particular one for sale sports 932-miles on the odometer and features a black on black color scheme. It’s currently located in France, but we’re going to assume the location of the vehicle doesn’t really matter if you can afford it.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX

[Source: JamesList]

As though the Ferrari 599XX isn’t mean enough looking, a few owners have decided to turn the car’s badass dial up to 11 with matte-gray and matte-black paint jobs. The photos were taken by Sevan Calians are from a private event at the world famous Paul Ricard circuit where owners were able to fully test the car’s 700-hp V12 engine and incredible aerodynamics.

Also of interest from the photos are two shots, the first showing what appears to be Horacio Pagani, and the second showing the Pagani Zonda R on track with the 599XX. What makes this so interesting is that Ferrari and Pagani have a bit of a rivalry going on right now, with Ferrari claiming a production-based Nürburgring record of 6:58, which was promptly annihilated by the Zonda R with a 6:47 time. It’s nice to see that the rivalry is a friendly one.

Check out plenty of pics of the matte-black and matte-gray 599XX at the links below.

[Source: Sevan Calians Flicker Photo Stream via  JonSibal]

Ferrari has just announced that it can now lay claim to a record lap at Germany’s famed Nürburgring Nordschleife, being the first “production-derived sports car” to ever run a sub 7-minute lap. The 599-based supercar lapped the Green Hell in just 6 minutes and 58.16 seconds – but there’s a catch.

That’s right, the 599XX isn’t really a production car and it’s not street legal (especially not with racing slicks), so while Ferrari can now lay claim to some sort of a record, the production car record isn’t the property of the prancing horse. As for exactly who holds that record, one can argue numerous cars. The fastest street-legal “production car” is the Radical SR8LM with a time of 6:48 (10 seconds faster than the 599XX), but it isn’t street legal everywhere (like in North America). Then there’s the Gumpert Apollo with a 7:11.57 – but an argument can easily be made that with so few produced its not a “production car” either. Then, there’s the Dodge Viper ACR – which may have a giant silly wing – but is production and street legal. And its time of 7:22 has the most legitimate claim to the record in our minds.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX at the Nürburgring

See after the jump for a VIDEO of the sub-7-minute run:

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PRESS RELEASE

The Ferrari 599XX sets a new record on the legendary Nürburgring

Maranello, 23 April – The Ferrari 599XX is the first ever production-derived sports car to break the 7-minute barrier on the classic 20.832 km Nordschleife circuit, lapping in 6 min 58.16 sec.

The 599XX, which inspired the 599 GTO, is an extreme berlinetta designed for track but not official competition use, and is a veritable technological laboratory incorporating a number of innovative solutions. Some of these will remain the exclusive preserve of the 599XX while others have already filtered down to the 599 GTO, introduced today at the Beijing Motor Show. These include the wheel doughnuts of F1 derivation which serve two purposes – to reduce turbulence and thus drag, and improve brake cooling.

Powered by a development of the V12 engine used by the 599 GTB Fiorano, the 599XX features Ferrari’s High-Performance Dynamic Concept, a novel integrated design and chassis set-up that uses sophisticated electronics to govern the mechanical limits of the handling for maximum performance.

On the aerodynamics front, the car sees the introduction for the first time of the Actiflow™ System that increases downforce and/or cuts drag depending on the car’s trim during cornering. This, together with other careful detailing, ensures that the 599XX boasts extraordinary levels of downforce – up to 630 kg at 300 km/h.

Fundamental to the performance of the car was the development of specific components undertaken together with our technical partners: Brembo for the carbon-ceramic brakes, Michelin for the tyres and Shell for the fuel and lubricants.

Ferrari’s latest track-only machine, the 599XX, has finally made its debut on the tarmac, at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit in Spain. Driving the car for the first time was F1 pilot Felipe Massa, who commented: “I really enjoyed testing this car, I think it’s extremely powerful and has an exceptional stability. Considering that it has been planned for the track it’s really easy to drive.”

That is quite a testament to the car’s capabilities, especially considering it makes an unwieldy 700-hp at 9000 rpm, from its 6.0-liter V12 engine and runs on racing slicks.

Ferrari debuted the car ahead of its first official 2010 season Formula One test at the Valencia track, and brought out all the 599XX owners to participate. Ferrari will organize a series of track events for 599XX owners over the course the next year in Europe, America and Asia.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX Track Debut in Valencia

See after the jump for video of the first official track test of the 599XX

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***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Ferrari will have no official presence at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, but it will showcase the ultra-rare 599XX model in Chrysler’s booth to help celebrate Fiat’s partnership with Chrysler.

Only 20 599xx models will be made for special track-only use by a select few lucky enough, and rich enough, to own one. The car’s 6.0-liter V12 engine has been reworked to produce 700-hp at 9000 rpm, while new aerodynamics help to deliver 612 lbs of downforce at 124 mph and almost 1,400 lbs of downforce at 186 mph!

One particularly important innovation on the 599XX is Ferrari’s new “Actiflow” technology, that adjusts downforce and drag depending upon how the car is operating. This is achieved through the use of a porous material in the diffuser and two fans in the trunk lid that work to channel air from under the car out through two grilles next to the tail lights. Rather noticeable winglets have also been added to the the are just behind the winds, where the buttresses are located.

The 599XX also uses what Ferrari terms a, “Virtual Race Engineer” that essentially uses all the onboard computers to calculate what the maximum level of performance the car can achieve on a race track. To do this it takes every bit of data available, including tire temperature, tire pressure, engine and coolant temperature (as well as many other variables) and determines what the maximum level of performance capable by the car under those conditions is.

Unfortunately, if you’re not Michael Schumacher, getting the car to go that fast is impossible… but here’s where the fun part comes in. The 599XX’s computer can then rate you (the driver) on your performance and tell you how close you are coming to the car’s maximum potential – a humbling experience no doubt.

The car will make its official track debut at Homestead in Florida in March. Ferrari is rumored to be working on a street legal version of the 599XX called the 599 GTO.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX

Official release after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

Maranello, 8 January 2010 – Although Ferrari will not officially take part in the
2010 North American Auto Show in Detroit, the company will display a 599XX
on the Chrysler stand to celebrate the historic Fiat-Chrysler deal.

The 599XX is an extreme, high-performance berlinetta and is packed with
innovative technology. The car is not homologated for the road, being aimed
only at non-competitive track use, and is reserved for just 20 select clients.

This “laboratory” model is the result of extensive research in both the road car
and Formula 1 fields. It brims with new solutions in terms of aerodynamics,
electronic controls and chassis dynamics, with many being proposed together
for the first time ever on a car and, of these, several are unique to this model. As
is usual with Ferrari’s advanced research projects, the experience gained with
this car will be used as the basis for developing future road cars with extreme
high-performance characteristics.

The 599XX is also an example of Ferrari’s exclusive and limited production. All
Prancing Horse cars are designed, engineered and developed entirely in-house in
the company’s factory in Maranello and incorporate all the latest specialist
technologies that can only be applied to low-volume production like Ferrari’s.

The official track debut of the 599XX for the client test-drivers is at Homestead
in Florida in March.

Ferrari is preparing to launch an ultra-high performance version of the 599 GTB, based on the 599XX that debuted at last year’s Geneva Auto Show. According to a report in EVO magazine, the car is set for production and will get a revised version of the standard 6.0-liter V12 engine with no less than 700-hp! It will also get a new name, the 599 GTO, making it the first F-Car to wear the GTO badge since the iconic 288 GTO.

Recently Ferrari changes the classification of the 599, from a GT car to a “Sports Car.” That might not mean much on it’s own, but it allows Ferrari’s development team to build this GTO version of the car in the same manner that it built the Scuderia version of the F430.

That being said, expect quicker shift times (60 milliseconds, down from 100 milliseconds) as well as a significantly lower curb weight and a revised suspension setup. We expect the new 599 GTO to hit 60 mph in roughly 3.2 seconds (down from 3.7) with a top speed well above 200 mph. In fact, the car’s new performance characteristics might make it the fastest road-going Ferrari ever!

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX

[Source: EVO]

Ferrari chose this busy automotive news day to release more info on the track-only 599xx. At least it would be new info if you missed our coverage of the U.S. debut of the supercar at the New York Auto Show.

We don’t mind giving you a quick run-through of the details. Besides, it’s a great excuse to look at all the new photos Ferrari released.

The most important bit of new(ish) info is that the 599xx has what Ferrari engineers have termed a “Virtual Race Engineer.” This system essentially uses all the onboard computers to calculate what the maximum level of performance the car can achieve on a race track. To do this it takes every bit of data available, including tire temperature, tire pressure, engine and coolant temperature (as well as many other variables) and determines what the maximum level of performance capable by the car under those conditions is.

Unfortunately, if you’re not Michael Schumacher, getting the car to go that fast is impossible… but here’s where the fun part comes in. The 599XX’s computer can then rate you (the driver) on your performance and tell you how close you are coming to the car’s maximum potential – a humbling experience no doubt.

One way that the 599xx’s computer helps a driver get the maximum performance out of the car is through the Actiflow system, which takes in air from under the car and uses two jets to shoot out air through outlets next to the taillights. This way the computer can control the level of lift/downforce on the rear of the car in accordance with the driving conditions.

In total, the 599xx can create 612 lbs of downforce at 124mph and almost 1,400 lbs of downforce at 186 mph.

As for the rest of the info, well, you probably already know by now that the V12 engine has been modified significantly to produce 700hp at 9000 rpm and that the new transmission control unit can now shift gears in as little as 60 milliseconds.

So what are you waiting for… just check out the gallery.

 GALLERY: Ferrari 599xx

More on the 599xx after the jump:

PRESS RELEASE

599XX

While based on the 599 GTB Fiorano with the same transaxle layout and engine type, this prototype is an extreme track car. Ferrari’s engineers have carried out extensive work on the engine’s combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts. These modifications, combined with the fact that internal attrition has been reduced and the maximum revs have been boosted to 9,000 rpm, helped achieve the target power output of 700 hp at 9,000 rpm. Particular attention was also paid to cutting the weight of the engine unit components. This was achieved both by optimising forms – as in the new crankshaft – and adopting exclusive materials, as in the carbon-fibre used for the intake plenums. A new gearbox shift strategy cuts overall gearchange times to 60 ms.

The 599XX is characterised by an innovative electronic concept called the “High Performance Dynamic Concept” which has been designed to get the maximum performance from the car by managing the combination of the car’s mechanical limits with the potential of its electronic controls. The mechanical and electronic systems work together to get the maximum performance from the car under extreme high performance driving, for consistent lap times. The sporty handling has been improved thanks to the adoption of second generation SCM suspension system. Track usage is also made easier thanks to the new “virtual car engineer”, a screen in the car that provides a real-time indication of the vehicle’s efficiency.

The 599XX’s aerodynamics were honed in numerous wind tunnel test sessions with the result that the car now boasts 280 kg of downforce at 200 km/h (630 kg at 300 km/h). 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.

The “Actiflow” system increases downforce and/or cuts drag depending on the car’s trim cornering conditions, courtesy of the use of a porous material in the diffuser and two fans in the boot which channel the air flow from under the car out through two grilles next to the tail-lights. 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.

Ferrari’s engineers have also used F1-derived “doughnuts” which partly cover the brake discs and wheel rim. These have the dual function of improving both aerodynamics and brake cooling.

In terms of the bodywork, composites and carbon-fibre have been widely used and the engineers drew on their experience in working with aluminium to reach the weight target. The development of increasingly high-performance materials has also benefited the carbon-ceramic material braking system. The brake pads are now made from carbon-fibre which means that the calipers are smaller whilst guaranteeing the same efficiency. The new racing carbon ceramic braking system also delivers shorter braking distances and is generally more efficient due to the weight saving.

The 599XX comes with slick tyres (29/67 R19 Front and 31/71 R19 Rear) specifically developed to maximise stability in cornering and increase lateral acceleration. They are fitted to 19 x 11J wheel rims at the front and 19 x 12J at the rear.

Ferrari may be planning a Scuderia version of it’s 599 flagship. At least that’s according to a report on WorldCarFans, whose spy photographers snapped a few pics of a modified 599 running on the prancing horse’s Fiorano test track.

The car noticeably sports an exhaust system similar to the one found on the 599xx monster track machine, which made it’s debut at the Geneva Auto Show, but there’s no evidence to suggest anything more.

It seems unlikely that Ferrari would strip down the 599 into a raw track machine, like it did with the F430 Scuderia. Then again, it seemed unlikely that Ferrari would build a drop-top version of the F430 Scud… and they did that.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

While Ferrari doesn’t techniclly participate in the New York Auto Show, that doesn’t mean they aren’t going to grab some of the limelight, hosting a private event at the Italian automaker’s ritzy Park Avenue dealership. (As though there are any Ferrari dealerships that aren’t ritzy…)

Making their U.S-debuts were the 599 HGTE and the truly awesome 599XX. Both models were first unveiled in March at the Geneva Auto Show in Geneva, Switzerland, but this more intimate setting allowed us to get some additional details on the track-only 599XX. Besides… do we really need another reason to stare at the meanest-looking Ferrari since the Enzo first came out.

What we already know is that the 599XX is powered by the standard model’s V12 engine, but the internals have been reworked to produce 7o0hp at 9000 rpm. To achieve this Ferrari engineers significantly modified the engine with a new, lighter, crankshaft. Carbon fiber is also used for the intake plenums.

Due to the new aerodynamics of the 599XX it now gets 612 lbs of downforce at 124 mph and almost 1,400 lbs of downforce at 186 mph!

One particularly important innovation on the 599XX is Ferrari’s new “Actiflow” technology, that adjusts downforce and drag depending upon how the car is operating. This is achieved through the use of a porous materia in the diffuser and two fans in the trunk lid that work to channel air from under the car out through two grilles next to the tail lights. Rather noticeable winglets have also been added to the the are just behind the winds, where the buttresses are located.

One of Ferrari’s top engineers was on hand discussing the Actiflow technology and commented that it was actually designed for use in Formula 1, but that the FIA wouldn’t allow it. 

One new bit of info that we learned about the 599XX is what Ferrari terms a “Virtual Race Engineer.” This system essentially uses all the onboard computers to calculate what the maximum level of performance the car can achieve on a race track. To do this it takes every bit of data available, including tire temperature, tire pressure, engine and coolant temperature (as well as many other variables) and determines what the maximum level of performance capable by the car under those conditions is.

Unfortunately, if you’re not Michael Schumacher, getting the car to go that fast is impossible… but here’s where the fun part comes in. The 599XX’s computer can then rate you (the driver) on your performance and tell you how close you are coming to the car’s maximum potential – a humbling experience no doubt.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX