Ferrari claims it had no intention of announcing its 575 Maranello replacement, the 599GTB, at the Detroit auto show. The car was meant to be secret for a few more weeks, prior to a public debut at Geneva. But someone hacked into the company's servers, got the official photos of the 599GTB, and posted them on a Web site. So Ferrari had to go public. Though Ferrari gave only tidbits on the 599, we got a bit more from Ferrari chief Amadeo Felisa. The name refers to the 5.99-liter capacity of the V-12 engine, which is not, as everyone assumed, an update of the 575 Maranello's, but a reworked version of the storming Enzo's engine that develops 620 horsepower.
Like the 612 Scaglietti, the 599GTB's body is largely aluminum. Weight is said to be about 3550 pounds, approximately 260 pounds less than the 575 Maranello's, and with at least 112 more horses more under the hood, the 599GTB's weight-to-power ratio of 5.7 pounds per horsepower is almost 25 percent better.
"This car has the performance impression of an F40, but it's easy to drive," says Felisa. "That was the challenge, to get the driveability. In fact, it's impossible to get one [F40] set up for all conditions like rain, dry, track. So [the 599] has the manettino on the steering wheel."
Already seen in the F430, the manettino controls throttle response, damping, transmission strategy, traction-control envelope, and similar parameters. There's no electronic differential, though, because the weight distribution of a front-engine car obviates the need, Felisa says. What's new is the traction-control strategy: "We have a new engine control, so we can reduce the power, but not cut it off completely."
The 599GTB is expected to go on sale in the U.S. this fall.
Talking Points
• BODY: Aluminum panels on aluminum frame structure, like 612 Scaglietti. Designed by Pininfarina.
• ENGINE: Based on the Enzo powerplant, the 5999cc V-12 develops 620 horsepower at 7600 rpm.
• PRICE: Though faster and more powerful than the 612 Scaglietti, it'll also be cheaper because it's a smaller two-seater.
Lamborghini Fights Back
Ferrari won't have it all its own way at Geneva. On the same day as the 599 makes its debut, Lamborghini will unveil a facelifted, powered-up Murcielago. The V-12 is increased from 6.2 to 6.5 liters, taking power to 625 horses, five up on the Ferrari. Performance is 3.7 seconds from 0-to-62 mph, and top speed is about 220 mph. There's also a redesign, front and rear, for the carbon-skinned AWD supercar. A convertible version will be introduced at this November's Los Angeles show.