The GTO explodes to life with an impatient, unsteady growl and barks rampantly at the merest tickle of throttle
I don’t think I’ve ever known a car that’s combined race-car brutality and feminine sensuality quite so coherently
Climb towards the 8500rpm redline and the sound morphs into tremulous Formula One distortion
I would, I have no doubt, actually die of starvation at the wheel given the choice
AERODYNAMICS
‘Doughnuts’ shroud roughly half of the brake discs, reducing air turbulence and improving aero efficiency, while wider front and rear bumpers and sideskirts add to the benefits. The carbonfibre undertray is shared with the 599XX, extending 10mm lower than the GTB’s – up close it looks like a giant banana slide at a water park – but it helps to double the 599’s downforce at 201km/h to 144kg.
EXHAUST
Six-into-one manifolds are derived from the 599XX but have a catalytic converter each to meet Euro 5 standards. Hydroforming production process allows thinner exhaust tubing, reducing weight, and also the number of welds required. Exhaust alone accounts for 13kg of the GTO’s 100kg weight loss.
BODY
Thinner windows shed 5.5kg, while the bodyshell loses 4kg thanks to 20% thinner aluminium panels – though the roof remains the same thickness – necessitating re-tooling at the factory. Elsewhere, the bumpers are new-generation RTM (saving 2kg each end), while the sills and rear diffuser are now carbonfibre. The bootlid – previously composite – is now aluminium, saving 40% compared with the GTB.
TYRES
Rubber swells from the 599 GTB’s 245/35 ZR20 (on 8.5in wide rims) at the front and 305/35 ZR20 (11.5in wide) on the rear to 285/30 ZR20 fronts (9.5in wide) and 315/35 ZR20 rears (11.5in wide). Not only is the Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber wider, the front becomes closer in width to the rear, reducing understeer. The tyres’ lateral stiffness is also increased, as are the treadblocks, minimising the lag between driver input and response.
ENGINE
Front/mid-mounted 6.0-litre V12 is based on the GTB’s but shares 95% commonality with the extreme, track-focused 599XX. Friction losses are reduced 12% compared with standard 599 GTB thanks to printed grafal coating on piston skirts, super-finished cam lobes (à la F1) and a diamond-like carbon coating on the hydraulic tappets. There are also new con-rods and pistons, crankshaft counterweights that cut through the oil more cleanly, plus a new intake system with shorter inlet tracts to optimise high-end response, though torque at the bottom end is still slightly superior to the GTB with nearly 500Nm on hand at 2000rpm. Power rises by 57.8PS, torque by 9lb ft. Servicing intervals remain as per GTB.
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES
Three new accelerometers (two at the front of the body, one at the rear) measure body roll, while a revised ECU processes their signals faster. The magnetorheological suspension then works by applying a magnetic charge to fluid in the dampers, increasing or decreasing the viscosity of the fluid as conditions demand. Carbon ceramic brake discs remain GTB-spec (and the calipers are still six-piston up front, four-pots for the rear), but the pads now contain ceramic material. These are far more efficient, yet are no heavier and cost no more to produce.
TRANSMISSION
Gearbox remains an automated six-speed manual transaxle, but the final drive is shortened by 6% (effectively spending the 3% efficiency gains reaped on the V12), and a lighter torque tube reduces weight by 8kg. Upshifts are now executed in 60ms (compared with 100ms on the GTB), an exact match for the 430 Scuderia. Downshifts fall from the GTB’s 500ms to 120ms, and you can hold the paddle while braking, triggering automatic downshifts at stratospheric rpms. Paddleshifts remain fixed to the steering column, but they are now longer, meaning they’re still in reach when you keep your hands in place during tighter corners.
ferrari 599 gto
Price I Rs 2.06 crore on sale I Sold out
Engine I Front/mid-mounted 5999cc 48v V12,
70PS @ 8250rpm, 620Nm @ 6500rpm
transmission I 6-spd automated manual,
ear-drive suspension I Double wishbones, magnetorheological dampers
Weight/made from I 1605kg/aluminium
Length/width/height I 4710/1962/1326mm
performance I 3.35sec 0-100km/h,
34+km/h, 5.70kmpl
rating I 11111
