According to the latest reports, the much-rumored Ferrari 599 GTO model will make is world debut at the Paris Auto Show this Fall. Using many components from the track-only 599XX, this new GTO (Gran Turismo Omolagato) will be the first car to bear the badge since the 288 GTO in 1984.

According to an article by AutoWeek, the new car will shed 132 lbs from the standard model, thanks to carbon fiber bodywork, a striped-down interior and special light weight allow wheels. Power has been rumored to be as high as 700-hp, but AW now suggests a more reasonable 650-hp – a boost of 30-hp from the standard model and just 10-hp shy of the Enzo. Also eppected is a version of the Ferrari 458 Italia’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to replace the current 6-speed unit, allowing for a slightly faster 0-62 mph time of 3.5 seconds.

Suspension upgrades will also be a part of the package with a lower overall height and a slightly wider track. We also expect a more hard-core race program on the steering-wheel-mounted Manettino.

[Source: AutoWeek]

In stark contrast to the Dodge Caliber, just a few feet away at the Chrysler booth at the Detroit Auto Show is the ultra-rare and even more ultra-expensive Ferrari 599XX. Ferrari claims to have no official presence at the show, with the Ferrari a part of a three-pronged Fiat, Maserati, Ferrari display within the Chrysler booth. This setup is designed to draw crowds to the Chrysler booth, a company which doesn’t have much in the way of exciting new models.

Fiat took control of Chrysler as a part of Chrysler’s bankruptcy exit.

As for the 599XX, it is a special track-only model and isn’t homolgated to compete in any racing series, meaning owners can only drive it on track, but can’t compete in racing. 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

Ferrari is reportedly taking pre-orders for an ultra-high-performance version of the already impressive 599 GTB. The vehicle, referred to as the 599 GTO on Ferrari’s ordering information, is rumored to be inspired by the 599XX track-only model that launched earlier this year at the Geneva Auto Show.

Not only would the 599 GTO get a more powerful V12 engine with anywhere from 680 to 700-hp (up from the standard car’s 611-hp rating), but it would also weigh anywhere from 100 to 150-lbs less. We expect a more light-weight race-inspired interior as well as carbon fiber body parts to help reduce the weight.

With just 500 models set for production the asking price would be closer to the $400,000 mark.

Expect to see the production version debuted at next year’s Geneva Auto Show in March.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX

[Source: Autogespot via 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

Ferrari unveiled two vehicles at the Geneva Auto Show today, with the most exciting one not even being a street car. The 599XX was conceived specifically for track use, and will be part of Ferrari track events that will be arranged for the 2010/11 season – for those lucky enough to afford it of course.

The program is expected to be similar to the FXX program or possibly even as involved as the F430 Challenge series.

The V12 engine found in the 599XX makes an outrageous 700hp 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. As well, the 599XX has the same 60 millisecond shift time as found in the F430 Scuderia.

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.

Ferrari hasn’t yet released how much lighter the car is but you can be sure it is significant as almost every part of the vehicle we checked is made of carbon fiber.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX

Almost completing the lineup of previews ahead of the Geneva Auto Show (which starts March 3rd), Ferrari has released a teaser of the two vehicles it plans to unveil, the 599 GTB HGTE and the Laboratorio Tecnologico 599xx.

Ferrari is keeping tight-lipped about the HGTE (Handling GT Evoluzione) 599, but we have already reported that it will feature new five-spoke 20-inch wheels (pictured above) as well as a firmer suspension and a sound-adjustable exhaust system.

Ferrari’s other piece of news is the 599XX. Called the Laboratorio Tecnologico, this new model will bring all of Ferrari’s most sophisticated technologies together in one street-legal car. Ferrari says that many of the items are derived from road and Formula1 research and it will be the first time they have been ever used. The 599XX will be sold in extremely limited numbers and offered to just a select few Ferrari clients.

Ferrari aims to have a jam-packed stand at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show, with a total of seven different vehicles. The 599 HGTE will displayed in a three-layer metallic Rosso paint and the 599XX will use a color similar to the F2008. Other cars include a Grigio Titanio F430 Scuderia Spider 16M, a Rosso Corsa F430 Scuderia, a Nero Metallizzato California and an Atelier 612 Scaglietti. The final car will be the Formula 1 car that won Ferrari its 16th Constructors’ World title.

AutoGuide.com will be reporting live from the Geneva Auto Show starting March 3rd – so check back for full specifications and details on both new 599s.