Ferrari blows by competitors, again
There is something magical about a Ferrari that transcends the motoring mindset.
"Ferrari is more than a car manufacturer," explains the company's Press Director Davide Kluzer. "Ferrari is a passion. Wherever we go, people are wearing the red shirts and the red hats, and they are telling us about our cars and about our racing."
In retribution, that level of adoration is also evident in the way Ferrari makes and brands its cars. The latest example is the 599 GTB Fiorano, named after the displacement of its 620-hp V12 engine (5,999 cc), Grand Turismo Berlinetta (because that's what it is – a grand touring sport coupe) and Fiorano (the private track Ferrari uses to test its race and street cars).
Designers for the 599 GTB were given the task of creating a roadworthy car that would exceed the track characteristics of the legendary F40. They set about with the same attention to detail given in the design of Ferrari's Formula 1 cars, and ended up with a car that has ideal balance and aerodynamics (without body add-ons such as spoilers), and the best power-to-weight ratio in its class.
By the time it got to testing, it not only exceeded the performance of similar front-engined cars, but also that of the mid-engined F40. The zero to 100 km/h sprint reportedly takes just 3.7 seconds. Eleven seconds down the road, it will reach 200 km/h, en route to a top speed of 330 km/h. Drive-by-wire throttle means the driver's needs are instantly gratified. Outside of North America, the 599 GTB also get Launch Control similar to that used in Formula 1.
Four wheel vented and cross-drilled disc brakes bring the car to a standstill nearly as quickly as it gets up to speed. Moving up to carbon composite brakes (from the standard cast iron) cuts braking times significantly and pretty much does away with brake fade.
The high-revving naturally-aspirated V12 (set in a 65-degree angle) produces a maximum of 620 hp at 7600 rpm (the red line sits at 8400). Torque builds to a peak of 448 lbs.ft at 5600 rpm (with 90 percent of that, or 403 lbs.ft, available from 3300). Power is delivered with Ferrari's finely-attuned ear to engine exhaust note.
Ferrari turned to its Formula 1 program for the means to deliver power to the rear wheels. It created the F1-SuperFast sequentially-shiftable 6-speed automatic, so named to give credit to the F1 program and also to indicate the marque's fastest gearshift delivery times.
Significantly improved gearshifts were achieved through the remapping of the gear actuation sequence that combines gear disengagement, selection and engagement in a parallel process (rather than a regular automatic's sequential process).
Further, gearshifts actually get faster as driving becomes sportier, thanks to the ingenious use of the transmission-components' elastic energy. Disengagement and engagement don't happen at the exact moment that input and output shafts are matched in rotation speed, but at a point where the two are nearly in synch. The control unit takes an intuitive approach with data from engine speed and accelerator position to "jump the gun" on this process.
Forward gear selection is handled by steering-wheel mounted paddles (also borrowed from Formula 1 technology), while reverse and fully-automatic modes are selectable on a centre console push-button panel. Ferrari's traditional gated manual gearbox (also a 6-speed) with aluminum shifter is also available.
The balance was achieved through the use of lightweight materials (such as aluminum in the engine, body and chassis), and the distribution of heavyweight mechanicals front and rear (engine and clutch in front, transaxle in rear). A limited-slip differential, traction and stability control systems keep the car moving in a manner that the driver intended.
Precise handling is entrusted to speed-sensitive power steering and a new SCM Magnetorheological Suspension – fancy talk for semi-active double-wishbone system (developed in collaboration with Delphi) that uses input from wishbone sensors to analyze body movement and electromagnetically change the shock fluid flow (rheological characteristics) to counteract it. The rear setup also features passive steering to improve tracking.
The 599 GTB Fiorano rides on Pirelli PZero performance tires (245/40ZR19s in front, 305/35ZR20s on the rear) with the ability to move up to 20 inch wheels up front and, further, to choose Bridgestone run-flat tires. A tire pressure and temperature monitoring system is standard.
Inside, the 599 was built to strike a balance between the uncompromising sportiness of a race-bred car and the meticulous attention-to-detail of an upscale luxury conveyance. Natural materials like leather upholstery combine with man-made pieces of aluminum and carbon-fibre to create a warm but high-tech ambience.
The racing-inspired seats feature a one-piece backrest with padded carbon-fibre bolsters. The cushions provide plenty of thigh support for drivers of all heights, with prominent bolsters to ensure occupants remain firmly planted during spirited driving. Several configurations are available, including ones to accommodate 4-point harnesses.
And befitting the exclusivity of the car, the list of features is lengthy and includes items such as dual-zone climate control, heated outside mirrors, electrically adjustable steering column, electrically adjusted seats with electro-pneumatic side bolster adjustments, Bluetooth-capable voice recognition system, navigation system with instrument panel readout, front and rear parking assist, premium Bose sound system with 6-CD changer, and iPod connectivity.
Front and side-impact airbags offer occupant protection.
As part of the introduction, a pair of 599s drove a roundabout 20,000-mile route from Belo Horizonte, Brazil to New York, with a stopover in Toronto. The journey was meant to showcase the durability of the car through various altitudes and temperature extremes, with no major maintenance required along the way.
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