The 2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
Why It's Special:
The 1961 250 GTB SWB, 1966 275 GTB/4 and the 1968 365 GTB/4, calling them great or even iconic just wouldn’t quite be right. We're thinking something more along the lines of an automotive tour de force.
These Gran Turismo Berlinetta's or GTB’s as they are affectionately known, represented the best of what Ferrari had to offer, each at a different point in time. These are the Ferrari’s that permanently burn vivid images and rich sounds into your brain, just by watching them drive by.
So much so that the 365 GTB/4, better known as the ‘Daytona’ is regarded by many as the finest road-going Ferrari ever produced. So when word hit the street that the name of Ferrari’s new coupe for 2006 would include both GTB and Fiorano (the hallowed circuit described above) it would have to be something extremely special.
Under the Hood:
Never a company that likes to disappoint, the 2007 599 GTB Fiorano is a masterpiece of style, design, technology and performance. The all-aluminum shell was styled by Pininfarina and features supercar like curves, all while remaining faithful to its sophisticated GTB pedigree. Beneath the skin lies all the technological wizardry that Ferrari can possibly stuff into one car. Up front you will find a 6.0 liter DOHC V12, developing 611 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of torque.
The engine, designated Tipo F133F, is based on the 6.0 V12 found in the Enzo. Many of the modifications were done to fit the large engine under the gently sloping hood of the 599. The F1-Superfast paddle-shift transmissions offers 6 forward gears, plus reverse and can change gears in 100 milliseconds. Completing the rear transaxle is the F1-Trac traction control system which offers a 20% increase in acceleration capabilities compared to older traction/stability control systems.
Keeping the tires in firm contact with the road is accomplished with Ferrari’s all-new Magnetorheological Suspension Control or SCM for short. This system offers a superb balance between handling and comfort and is capable of instantaneously changing the damping characteristics of the suspension. Underbody airflow is routed through rear diffuser and nets 352 pounds of downforce at 186mph.
The Verdict:
The result of all this technology is performance which has basically rewritten the rulebook for GT cars. 0-60 mph is accomplished in 3.2 seconds, the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds @ 130mph, and flat out it will do 205mph. Not too shabby for purpose-built supercar; oh wait this is a 3865 pound GT car! Why does the Carrera GT suddenly seem not that fast? I feel 100% comfortable in saying that the 2007 599 GTB Fiorano lives up to its lofty expectations, and dare I say may even exceed most of them.
// Continue to the 2007 Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera //