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 The late Enzo Ferrari is widely quoted as saying that the best Ferrari is “the
next one,” and indeed, the limited edition Ferrari 599 GTO embodies that philosophy in both design
and performance. There are many ways to define the “best” of anything, but if you use the fastest lap
times for a street car on Ferrari’s Fiorano test track as a measure, the GTO now wears the crown. It is the
latest in a long line of so-called “traditional” 12-cylinder, front-engine Ferraris that date to the earliest
days of the company in the late 1940s.
This ultimate Ferrari is essentially a street version of the extremely limited 599XX “advanced
experimental track car,” according to Ferrari CEO Amadeo Felisa. He explains through translation in
the company’s launch video that the company’s goal with the GTO is to construct a front-engine car
that “nobody will ever be able to equal in performance.” And it looks as if they hit their target, because
the GTO happens to be the fastest road car ever made by Ferrari—besting even the legendary Enzo
Ferrari supercar.

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 T HE RID E

The significance of
this amazing car extends to the GTO name.
According to Ferrari, the car is inspired by
the 599 GTB, which set a lofty standard. The
“GT” designation stands for Gran Turismo
(Grand Touring) and represents the ultimate in
beauty, luxury, and comfort, while the “B” (in
GTB) stands for Berlinetta (coupe) body style.
The “O” in the newest version is for Omologata,
which refers to the historical homologation—
racing requirement—that a certain number of
street versions of a race car had to satisfy in order
to compete on the track. These Omologata cars
were typically the top performers in Ferrari’s
lineup, as the 599 GTO is today.
Ferrari engineers combined traditional
techniques (like higher power and lower
weight) with advanced electronics and refined
aerodynamics to create the ultimate street car.
If greater horsepower leads to happier drivers,
then 599 GTO owners are sure to be among
the happiest in the world. Engineers took the
Enzo-derived 5.99-liter V12 from the GTB and
wrung out an additional 52 horsepower—for an
impressive 670hp at 8,250 rpm—and mated it to
their latest and most complex F1 gearbox, which
can rip shifts in a mere 60 milliseconds.They used
composites and other lighter-weight materials to
shave nearly 200 pounds from the GTB body in
several areas, including the greenhouse (cabin),
brakes, body panels, transmission, and even the
exhaust system, resulting in a curb weight of
3,538 pounds. Aerodynamics, chassis tuning,
and electronics that help keep the car handling
on the very edge of adhesion round out the
package. Even tires and brakes were included in
the makeover.
It’s not as though the GTB is a performance
slouch. In fact, it offers one of the most
incredible driving experiences of any car on the
road, with massive acceleration, a prodigious
grip for cornering, and incredible braking,
all enhanced by the magical cacophony of
12 cylinders screaming under the hood. But
Maranello has upped the performance ante by
a noticeable margin.
According to Ferrari, the GTO can thunder
to 62 mph in a mere 3.35 seconds (about half
a second quicker than the GTB), with a top
speed of 208 mph—definite supercar territory.
And it hits these performance marks in a
package that is as much rolling artwork as it is
an engineering marvel.

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 “Ferrari engineers combined traditional techniques (like
higher power and lower weight) with advanced electronics and
refined aerodynamics to create the ultimate street car.”

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 T HE RID E

Speaking of engineers, the car includes a “Virtual Race Engineer” system that feeds
drivers real-time performance and status data on a dashboard computer screen. Ferrari didn’t release many
other details of the interior other than enhanced paddle shifters that are larger and constructed of carbon fiber.
However, a price sheet reportedly leaked on the Internet shows all manner of aluminum, carbon fiber, Alcantara,
and leather choices, as well as some GTO-specific options, including a roll bar and historic GTO stripes.
With the GTO, Ferrari has created an exclusive vehicle that is likely to be an instant collectible. Estimates for
a $500k list price may be moot, because sources say production is limited to 599 total units, and if you aren’t
already on the handpicked buyer list at the factory, you will probably have to work your dealer and broker
contacts to chase the rare vehicle that makes it to the resale market. For years, the legendary Enzo sold at the
million-dollar mark and higher, even with a list price in the $600k range. The similarity of the GTO styling to
the GTB and absence of over-the-top looks may keep prices from reaching the million-dollar mark, but look
for the GTO value to linger at lofty heights driven by the market for years to come, as Ferrari collectors and
aficionados around the world fight to add this latest cavallino to their stable.
CEO Felisa, says Ferrari wants to build a vehicle that “will always be remembered in the history of our cars,”
and it seems they have succeeded...at least until they make “the next one.”

Ferrari, www.ferrari.com, 201.816.2600

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