FAIL: Ferrari 599 GTO in Reverse hits a Pole

Bumping into or even just scraping against an object while pulling you car out of a parking space has probably happened to everyone at least once or twice. However, you would expect an owner of a spanking new Ferrari 599 GTO worth north of €260,000 or close to $400,000 to be far more careful that usual when attempting to reverse out of a parking space. Apparently, being careful was not in the nature of the owner of this blacked out 599 GTO in Cologne, Germany. Video follows after the break. Read more »

Ferrari Opens Shop in India, Cheapest Model Costs Half a Million Dollars

The first ever Ferrari dealership in India opened its doors today in the heart of New Delhi. The Grand Opening, which was hosted by Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa, Ferrari Commercial and Marketing Director Enrico Galliera, and Ashish Chordia, Chairman of the Shreyans Group, the official Ferrari importer for India, was devoted to the members of the local and international press. India is the 58th country where Ferrari is present in the world. Read more »

Ferrari's One-Off Superamerica 45 Special Drops its Top at Villa d'Este

The coachbuilt Ferrari Superamerica 45 special commissioned by American billionaire Peter Kalikow has arrived at the Villa d'Este for the Concorso D'Eleganza contest. Not surprisingly, a by-passer took advantage of the occasion and filmed the car's roof mechanism in action at its first outing under the sun. This is the first time we see the supercar’s rotating top on the move and we have to admit it's pretty fast.

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Ferrari Debuts 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE Sport Package in Geneva

As well as introducing the track-focused 599XX with 700HP, Ferrari also revealed a new Handling GTE (Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) package for the 599 GTB Fiorano in Geneva. Designed to deliver even sportier, more dynamic driving, the package includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as new calibration settings for the magnetorheological shock absorbers while the V12 coupe's ride height has also been lowered.

The package also includes specifically optimized tires featuring a compound that offers even better grip while other modifications concern the revised F1 gearbox that offers faster shift times, a new engine software strategy that improves accelerator response and a new exhaust silencer.

From a styling point of view, the HGTE package adds a series of sporty exterior and interior features. On the outside, there are 20-inch split-rim alloys in a matte silver finish while the rear diffuser is painted in matte black. The cabin is distinguished by the new two-tone leather / alcantara seats and the carbon-fibre trim.

Ferrari 599XX: New Track-Focused Version with 700HP V12

The Geneva Motor Show saw the world premiere of the Ferrari 599XX, an extreme track-focused version of the Prancing Horse's two-seater GT. Destined to replace the FXX, Ferrari said that it will be organizing a programme of dedicated track events for the 599XX in 2010/2011. Since the car was conceived exclusively for track but not official competition use, Ferrari was not restricted either by homologation limitations or regulatory restrictions during the 599XX's development.

Starting with the powertrain, the firm's engineers carried out extensive work on the V12 engine's combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts. These modifications, combined with the fact that internal attrition has been reduced and the maximum revs have been boosted to a whopping 9,000 rpm, helped achieve the target power output of 700 hp at 9,000 rpm. As for the transmission, a new gearbox shift strategy cuts overall gear-change times to just 60 ms.

The 599's handling has been improved thanks to the adoption of a second generation SCM suspension system while the new racing carbon ceramic braking system promises to deliver shorter braking distances. The track-focused 599XX is equipped with a set of split-rim wheels shod in slick tires.

As you can see in the photos below, the 599XX features a full aerodynamic bodykit that helps produce an amazing 280 kg of downforce at 200 km/h or 125mph (630 kg at 300 km/h or 187mph) according to Ferrari.

And if you're wondering what all these changes sum up to, we'll just tell you that Ferrari claims that the 599XX lapped the Fiorano race track in 1 minute and 17 seconds, or 1 second faster than the Enzo-based FXX.

Geneva Preview: Ferrari's Hardcore 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE and 599XX Study

At next week's Geneva Motor Show Ferrari will reveal two new variants of its 599 GTB Fiorano sportscar. More specifically, the Italian firm will launch a more hardcore version of the two-seater coupe fitted with a new sport kit dubbed Handling GT Evoluzione (HGTE) Package and a technical study called "599XX". Ferrari has not disclosed any details on the 599 HGTE (pictured above) that will be finished in a new three-layer metallic Rosso, but aside from the new alloy wheels and high-performance tires, expect to see a sportier suspension set up and changes to the steering an and braking system.

As for the 599XX, Ferrari said that the car incorporates the most advanced technologies resulting from the firm's road-going and F1 research. Many of the systems on the 599XX will be used for the first time.

In addition to the two 599 GTB Fioranos, Ferrari's booth will also feature the firm's single-seater F1 racing car that recently won the Prancing Horse its 16th Constructors' World title and the full range of the firm's road cars including the Scuderia Spider 16M in a Grigio Titanio livery, the 430 Scuderia in Rosso Corsa and two Grand Tourer models, the Ferrari California in Nero Metallizzato with a Sabbia interior and the flagship 612 Scaglietti.