Rumors are heating up all over the Internet (when are they not) that Ferrari is possibly working on a limited edition 599 Fernando Alonso edition to pay tribute to their star Formula One driver.

Ferrari’s 599 has had plenty of special edition variants, ranging from the GTB Fiorano to the China Edition to the awesome 599XX. But it looks like the 599 will go out with a bang with a 599 Fernando Alonso edition, rumored to be lighter than any of the previous models, possibly making it the fastest.

Rumor has it that this lightweight special edition 599 is set to be released in January with a very limited production of just 40 vehicles. But this could all just be rumors started by the fact that Ferrari released a video of Fernando Alonso taking a F10 Tribute Edition 599 GTO for some laps around Fiorano. We’ll just have to stay tuned to see whether or not this is another Internet myth.

Check out the video of Alonso behind the wheel of the F10 Tribute Edition 599 GTO after the break.

[Source: Autoblog]

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Having had the opportunity to experience Lexus‘ LFA firsthand, we can attest to its freakish performance and elegant handling all wrapped in a luxurious package. While its price tag has drawn criticism, it’s certainly not unheard of in the exotic segment and so EVO Magazine decided to compare (very expensive) apples to apples, pitting the Japanese supercar against  Ferrari‘s 599 GTO – both vehicles with MSRPs just barely under the $400,000 mark. The result may be surprising to some, with EVO giving their nod to the LFA despite the 599 GTO’s quicker 0-60 time and higher top speed.

It goes without saying that no true auto enthusiast should judge a car simply by its acceleration and top speed, but the 599 GTO clocked a 0-60 time in just 3.8 seconds while the LFA was a solid few ticks behind at 4.2. The LFA’s top speed was recorded at 179-mph while the GTO easily outpaced it at 193-mph. But the article goes way beyond that, with EVO coming to the conclusion that Lexus now has a vehicle that tops Italy’s finest.

“What marks out the LFA for particular praise is its bravery and originality;” says EVO, “for Lexus to create such a car from scratch, with no evolutionary engineering or existing bias from which to work, is a remarkable achievement. Innovative, extreme, immaculately executed and exquisite to drive, it’s the greatest high-performance car Japan has ever produced.”

“Get hung up on the badge and you’ll be blind to its magic. Revel in its rarity, its rare abilities and the fact we’re unlikely to see its like again and you’ll understand why the LFA is one of the greats, and why this test ends with three unexpected, hard-won and thoroughly deserved words: Lexus beats Ferrari.”

Check out a video of EVO Magazine comparing the two cars after the jump.

[Source: Lexus Enthusiast]

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Continuing their absolute dominance over the Ferrari aftermarket, Novitec has released photos and information on their 599 GTO 888 tuning program. Novitec Rosso is the first company to offer upgrades for Ferrari’s 599 GTO and it’s quite the complete project. With 888-hp (from 670-hp stock) and 636 ft-lbs of torque, Novitec clearly focused its attention on the powerplant and performance.

Taking the twin-compressor 6.0L V12 to new heights, Novitec optimized both superchargers and added a large water-to-air intercooler to cool the system. An intake manifold was also designed and manufactured and features high performance air filters and injectors.

Naturally, Novitec also outfits the 599 GTO with a high performance exhaust system that sports a quad-tipped setup coated in black. An ECU retune was done to ensure all the changes were optimized.

Aesthetically, Novitec kept it simple applying a special silver paint with yellow cross stripe and white patches, all reminiscent of Ferrari’s 250 GTO race car. Along with lowering the vehicle with Novitec’s suspension, a set of Novitec Rosso NF4 21-inch and 22-inch wheels were installed.

Interior upgrades can be ordered in any desired leather or Alcantara color combination.

GALLERY: Novitec Ferrari 599 GTO 888

Do you remember what you got for your 18th birthday? Was it an iPod? Maybe a laptop for college? Perhaps just a hug and kiss from your mom and dad? Or even worse, you don’t even remember. Well this kid won’t have that problem, because for his 18th birthday he got himself a very rare Ferrari 599 GTOs.

And better yet, this is just one of many cars in his collection that he shares with his dad. When he was a mere 15 years of age, he got an Audi R8 V8 that his dad didn’t really like much. His daily driver is an ML63 and he also shares a Porsche Panamera with his dad. But those vehicles barely hold a light to what else is in the garage – we spy a Bugatti Veyron and two Scurerias.

Truth be told, we rolled our eyes a tad when we first saw the post, along with many forum members on Luxury4Play. But as the thread grew, along with the skepticism, some forum members revealed that he is a fairly well respected member of the community and is quite mature, all things considered. We sure know if we got an 18 year old Ferrari 599 GTO for our 18th birthday we’d be like a little kid in the candy store bragging to each and every internet-friend we have.

The owner remains anonymous to this day, but we’re glad to see he’s got a good head on his shoulders despite being offered some of life’s finest luxuries that very few get to experience. It’s more than we can say about our good ‘ol friend Nick Hogan.

[Source: Luxury4Play]

Check out all the pics of the 599 GTO, plus the rest of the exotics in this 18 year-old’s stable after the jump:

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Surrounded by “The Great Ferraris” the 599 GTO was arguably the star attraction of the Ferrari exhibit at The Quail – one of the many high profile events leading up to Sunday’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Sharing podium space with the Ferrari California and the very new 458 Italia, the 599 GTO is the fastest street legal model from the Prancing Horse.

Based on the 599XX track car, the GTO makes a total of 670-hp from its 6.0-liter V12 engine and using an upgraded transmission, lighter weight and improved aerodynamics, it has achieved what Ferrari says is a record 1 minute 24 second lap at the automaker’s Fiorano test track.

The engine itself has been modified from the factory vehicle with friction reducing components as well as a redesigned crankshaft and new new intake system to make all 670-hp at 8250 rpm, while a total of 457 ft-lbs of torque is available at 6500 rpm. Ferrari claims a 0-62 mph time of 3.35 seconds and a top speed in excess of 208-mph. Helping to achieve quicker acceleration is a reprogrammed six-speed F1 transmission with 60 ms shift times and the ability to drop several gears at a time.

Ferrari engineers also focused on weight reduction, dropping the GT car’s curb weight to 3,538 lbs. Along with lighter bodywork, including thinner aluminum panels, the GTO also gets thinner glass, a lighter exhaust and transmission and an even lighter second-generation carbon ceramic brake setup.

New aerodynamic improvements were also made resulting in improved downforce but no more drag. New ducting around the wheels reduces drag, as do wheel doughnuts. A new front lip creates more downforce at the front axle, while new side skirts help streamline airflow under the body. It’s also hard to miss the new racing-style rear diffuser.

Suspension improvements have also been made with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar, as well as a second-generation magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM2). More importantly, Ferrari says the SCM2 setup works with a tighter steering ratio, VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and the updated F1-Trac traction control systems to be incredibly responsive to inputs.

Also helping in the handling department are new 20-inch wheels, with wider 285 front tires. And what’s more important to getting the most out of the car than the driver? No, Ferrari doesn’t include your own Felipe Massa, but the 599 GTO does come with the company’s Virtual Race Engineer system designed for the 599XX. It constantly monitors all aspects of the car and is able to tell the driver how close to the limit he is operating the car.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599 GTO at The Quail

GALLERY: Ferrari 599 GTO at Pebble Beach

Ferrari announced its financial results today, and the company has wasted no time in gloating that sales in the USA are up 10% while Chinese sales are up 20%, a number that is “likely to rise further still in the coming months”.

Ferrari credits the California, 458 Italia and 599 GTO with some of their sucess, but surely the real credit goes to their Ferrari boutiques which sell branded merchandise, a license to print money venture that comprises the bulk of their profits. Merchandise sales are up 40% this year, proving that while the wealthy still have money for cars, there is always a demand for upper-middle class folks to associate themselves with upscale brands.

[Source: Ferrari]

Ferrari has just released a significant number of new photos of its 599 GTO model, which is a good thing because we simply can’t get enough of this amazing beast.

Touted to be the fastest road-going Ferrari ever, the 599 GTO is in many ways a street version of the incredible 599XX, making 670-hp at 8250 rpm and 457 ft-lbs of torque at 6500 rpm, with a 0-62 mph time of 3.35 seconds and a top speed in excess of 208-mph. Helping to achieve quicker acceleration is a reprogrammed six-speed F1 transmission with 60 ms shift times and a lighter curb weight of just 3,538 lbs.

But enough with the writing, check out the extensive photo gallery below, and hit the jump for some incredible videos:

GALLERY: Ferrari 599 GTO

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As we recently reported, the newly released Ferrari 599 GTO is the fastest street-legal Ferrari ever built. With a 670 horsepower V12 and a six speed transmission derived directly from the F1 program, this 3,538 lb technological marvel also has highly sophisticated aerodynamics, suspension tuning and traction control systems.

With the first 599 GTO owners taking delivery of their half million dollar super toy very recently, the video after the jump shows several in action at what appears to be a Ferrari Club lapping day at the revered Belgian F1 circuit Spa-Francorchamps. The sound of 599 GTO starting is enough to give us goosebumps, but its exhaust note as it blasts down the front straight is beyond sublime.

[Source: Jorrik's Car Channel] 

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Ever hear the saying that there can be too much of a good thing? It doesn’t apply to Ferraris.

Having just introduced the 599 GTO model, Ferrari has now released two videos of its fastest street-legal car showing off on the track at the Mugello Circuit north of Florence, Italy. All driving is done by Ferrari test driver Dario Benuzzi.

Based on the 599XX, the GTO makes 670-hp from its 6.0-liter V12 engine and features an upgraded transmission, lighter weight and improved aerodynamics. The engine itself has been modified from the factory vehicle with friction reducing components as well as a redesigned crankshaft and new new intake system to make all 670-hp at 8250 rpm, while a total of 457 ft-lbs of torque is available at 6500 rpm. Ferrari claims a 0-62 mph time of 3.35 seconds and a top speed in excess of 208-mph. Helping to achieve quicker acceleration is a reprogrammed six-speed F1 transmission with 60 ms shift times and the ability to drop several gears at a time.

Ferrari engineers also focused on weight reduction, dropping the GT car’s curb weight to 3,538 lbs. Along with lighter bodywork, including thinner aluminum panels, the GTO also gets thinner glass, a lighter exhaust and transmission and an even lighter second-generation carbon ceramic brake setup.

New aerodynamic improvements were also made resulting in improved downforce but no more drag. New ducting around the wheels reduces drag, as do wheel doughnuts. A new front lip creates more downforce at the front axle, while new side skirts help streamline airflow under the body. It’s also hard to miss the new racing-style rear diffuser.

Suspension improvements have also been made with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar, as well as a second-generation magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM2). More importantly, Ferrari says the SCM2 setup works with a tighter steering ratio, VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and the updated F1-Trac traction control systems to be incredibly responsive to inputs.

Also helping in the handling department are new 20-inch wheels, with wider 285 front tires. And what’s more important to getting the most out of the car than the driver? No, Ferrari doesn’t include your own Felipe Massa, but the 599 GTO does come with the company’s Virtual Race Engineer system designed for the 599XX. It constantly monitors all aspects of the car and is able to tell the driver how close to the limit he is operating the car.

See the in-car footage after the jump:

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The Ferrari 599 GTO is the fastest roadgoing Ferrari ever built. Sorry Enzo owners, you’re going to have to upgrade. But to be honest, there are plenty of other cars out there that are just as fast, if not faster. In fact, if you want to have a virtual Nürburgring race, the Dodge Viper ACR will run the same number for less than a third of the cost . But that’s not why people buy Ferraris, is it? 80 percent of the value of a Ferrari is the sound of the engine, the remaining 20 percent is just the right to say you drive a Ferrari.

Autocar recently had the privilege of flogging the GTO, and managed to pull a brilliant move: rev the hell out of it in a tunnel! Great idea guys, because this may be the best sounding streetcar we’ve ever heard.  Hit the jump to watch the video, I need to change my pants.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599 GTO:

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