Ferrari 599XX at Geneva

Ferrari’s big news at Geneva is this, the 599XX. It’s the successor to the Enzo-based FXX, a customer-owned test bed for the Prancing Horse’s new technology. Much like the FXX, the 599XX – based on the GTB Fiorano – will be sold to a very select (and very wealthy) bunch of customers who only get to use the car on official Ferrari track events, with the car stored by the company rather than its owner.

It is a very open and effective way to try out new technology and get real feedback on it, and the 599XX has a host of new innovations. While it has essentially the same drivetrain as the road car, there’s been a number of modifications that boost power to just shy of 700bhp. A new crankshaft, extensive work on the engine’s combustion chambers and a higher 9000rpm rev limit are the key changes.

There’s also something called High Performance Dynamic Concept, a system that manages ‘the combination of the car’s mechanical limits with the potential of its electronic controls’. It’s designed to marry the car’s plethora of electronic trickery with the dynamics as closely as possible during on the limit driving, with consistent lap times the aim.

Other changes include an updated SCM suspension system, the addition of a ‘virtual car engineer’ screen inside the car, slick tyres, carbonfibre brake pads and more track-orientated carbon ceramic brakes. The aerodynamics have also received a healthy boost thanks to extensive wind-tunnel honing. The result is 280kg of downforce at 124mph and 630kg at 186mph.

Also on display is the Ferrari 599 GTB with Handling GTE package. The suspension gains stiffer springs while the ride height is dropped to lower the centre of gravity. The car’s electronics are fettled too, with the F1 gearbox getting slicker shifts and the accelerator response sharpened while a tweaked silencer ensures a more passionate exhaust note to match the other changes. No news on how much the tweaks will set you back yet.

Completing the Ferrari stand is a smart Scuderia 16M spider.

You can also read about what else is going on at the Geneva motor show.