The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Sports Car

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Image

from Classic to Modern

THE CAR

The 599 GTB Fiorano sports car had its debut at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show following the decision by Ferrari to discontinue the 575M Maranello earlier that year.

As in the case of its predecessor, the "599" referred to its 5.999 litre engine, and the "Fiorano" identified Ferrari's private test track. It carried a price tag of $302,000.

Pininfarina was once again responsible for styling this two seater Berlinetta, and introduced a redesigned roof line, and restyled part of the rear section.

The existing electronics were replaced by the Manettino system, which monitored the engine and braking to ensure optimum delivery of power.

When choosing either the Race or Sport-mode, the new traction control system, called the F1-Trac, and fitted to the front-engined Fiorano, would ensure the most effective traction for the rear wheels.

There was an optional upgrade, referred to as HGTE, which signified Handling Gran Turismo Evolution, to improve the car's handling by incorporating:

Stiffer springs and a rear anti-roll bar
Re-calibrated settings for the adjustable shock absorbers when the Sport-mode was chosen
Lowering the ride height
Performance tyres offering greater grip
Gearshifts with faster response settings
Silencer now produced an improved exhaust note
A rear diffuser
New 20 inch road wheels were fitted

The Fiorano had greater interior space than the previous Maranellos, and it was the final Ferrari to utilise a steel chassis.

It was fitted with dampers that contined a special fluid that allowed the driver to adjust the level of damping to suit his needs.

This system significantly smoothed out the bumps when compared with the previous Maranello model.

With a marginally lighter engine and a slightly longer chassis, this meant that almost all the weight was situated between the front and rear wheels.

An option aimed at use on the track included brakes made from composite material, a full harness, and a cockpit rollover bar.

Ferrari 599 GTB Image

THE ENGINE

The 599 GTB Fiorano sports car was powered by a 6 litre, V12 engine, with four valves per cylinder, an aluminium head and block, and a compression ratio of 11.2:1.

This developed 612 bhp at 8400 rpm, and 448 ft/lbs of torque. It was, in fact, the most powerful engine used so far, and the torque produced was also a record for a GT car by Ferrari.

The Fiorano produced a top speed of 205 mph, a shade faster than the 575M Maranello, and a 0-62 mph time of 3.7 secs.

It was fitted with either a six speed manual gearbox, or there was the option of the electro-hydraulic paddle-shift selector, which was referred to as the F1 Superfast.

Technical Data 599 GTB 575-GTC 575M
Production             2006-2012       2003-2004       2002-2006
Engine, cc 5999 5997 574
Cylinders, bhp 12, 612 12, 605 12, 515
Torque, ft/lbs 448   538 434
Top Speed, mph 205 208 202
0-60 mph, secs 3.4    3.5 4.1
0-100 mph, secs    7.0 - 9.4
Standing 1/4 Mile, secs 11.2    - 12.3

Ferrari 599 GTB Image

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THE COMPETITION

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano's competitors included, amongst others, the following: Audi R8 GT, Ruf RT12, Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, and Mercedes SL65 AMG0

Ferrari Audi Ruf Lamborghini
Technical Data 599 GTB R8 GT RT12 Murcielago
Production 2006-2012 2010 2005+ 2002-2007
Engine, cc 5999 5204 3810 6503
Cylinders, bhp 12, 612 10, 560 6, 650 12, 631
Torque, ft/lbs 448 398 641 487
Top Speed, mph 205 199 219 211
0-60 mph, secs 3.4 3.6 3.4 3.3
0-100 mph, secs 7.0 - 7.6 7.6
Standing 1/4 Mile, sec 11.2 - - 11.6