How the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Operates

The highly advanced 612 Scaglietti hinted that Ferrari’s next V-12 two-seater would be extraordinary, yet the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano exceeded expectations with its stunning impact.

Debuted at Detroit in January 2006 and showcased at Geneva the next month, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano combined the spirit of the iconic Daytona, the engine of the Enzo, and cutting-edge technology honed through six decades of championship-winning expertise.

This wasn’t merely a successor to the Ferrari 550/575 Maranello; it was the most advanced and powerful front V-12 GT Ferrari had ever produced. Widely praised for its beauty, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano left no question about its purpose. Named after Ferrari’s revered test track, Fiorano, this model carried immense symbolic weight. Even by Ferrari’s lofty standards, the 599 stood out as a remarkable achievement.

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Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Design

Essentially a refined version of the 612, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano featured the exhilarating Enzo V-12 engine and sleek, aerodynamically optimized Pininfarina bodywork crafted under Frank Stephenson's direction.

Despite its sleek appearance, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano was notably larger than the Maranello, stretching 183.7 inches in length, 77.2 inches in width, and 52.6 inches in height, with a 108.3-inch wheelbase. Its classic front-engine Ferrari proportions, marked by a long hood and short deck, were enhanced by a sophisticated blend of curves and sharp lines that cleverly masked its increased size.

Functional details were both fascinating and practical. For instance, large air intakes positioned alongside the iconic Ferrari grille efficiently cooled the engine bay and front brakes. Heat from the radiator was expelled through hood ducts and C-shaped vents on the front fenders. Additionally, small scoops behind the doors channeled air to cool the rear brakes. Despite these intricate elements, the design maintained a sleek, purposeful simplicity.

The semi-fastback roofline, complemented by flying buttresses and a dramatically curved rear window, was not just for aesthetics. Extensively tested in wind tunnels, this design, along with the front-end shape and rear diffuser, generated significant downforce: over 335 pounds at 190 mph and 420 pounds at the estimated top speed of 205 mph.

This aerodynamic efficiency allowed the 599 to feature a subtle decklid lip instead of a bulky rear wing, common in many high-performance cars. The meticulous design also achieved a drag coefficient of 0.336, impressive given the car's wide frontal area.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Performance

The suspension system was largely adapted from the 612, with adjustments to spring and damper rates to accommodate the shorter wheelbase and a reduction of approximately 250 pounds in curb weight. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano also utilized aluminum spaceframe construction, shedding 88 pounds compared to the Ferrari 575 berlinetta despite its larger dimensions.

True to Ferrari's standards, the car featured four-wheel vented and cross-drilled disc brakes with impressive diameters: 13.9 inches at the front and 12.9 inches at the rear. Optional carbon-ceramic brakes paired with 20-inch wheels were also available. The standard setup included 19-inch five-spoke front wheels with 245/40 Z-rated Pirelli P Zero tires and 20-inch rear wheels fitted with 305/35 tires for enhanced grip.

A key highlight of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano was its 5999cc V12 engine, with the model number derived from its displacement divided by 10. This engine, based on the 65-degree quad-cam design from the Enzo, was recalibrated for improved drivability in everyday conditions, without sacrificing performance.

While horsepower decreased slightly from 650 to 611, the Fiorano offered greater torque across a broader rpm range. With peak torque of 448 pound-feet at 5600 rpm, over 90% of it was accessible from just 3500 rpm, making it ideal for a high-performance grand tourer.

Similar to the Enzo's V12, the Fiorano's engine used a dry-sump lubrication system and a compact twin-disc clutch, enabling a lower and more rearward placement in the chassis. This design improved handling by lowering the center of gravity and optimizing weight distribution to 47/53 percent front/rear, enhancing stability for a rear-wheel-drive sports car.

Similar to the Maranello and 612, the transmission was positioned at the rear as a transaxle, offering a choice between a six-speed manual or Ferrari's six-speed F1 sequential manual. Both featured slightly shorter gear ratios compared to the 612 for improved acceleration. The F1 gearbox introduced a new "Superfast" electrohydraulic system, cutting shift times from 250 milliseconds to just 100 milliseconds.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Handling

The car also featured Ferrari's manettino vehicle dynamics controller, a rotary dial located at the 4 o'clock position on the steering wheel. (A red engine-start button was placed opposite at 8 o'clock.) The manettino adjusted five key parameters, including throttle response, F1 gearbox behavior, and the intervention level of Ferrari's F1-Trac stability and traction control system.

Additionally, the manettino controlled the SCM suspension, short for "magnetorheological suspension control." This system used shock absorbers filled with a special fluid that altered viscosity and damping stiffness in response to electric currents. Developed in collaboration with Delphi Corporation, this technology was also used in the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette and other General Motors vehicles.

Enhancements to the F1-Trac stability control system improved the car's road performance. According to Ferrari, the upgraded system tracks the speed of all four wheels and uses predictive software to estimate maximum grip levels in advance. It then compares this data with a preloaded vehicle dynamics model and adjusts power delivery to optimize traction. Ferrari hailed this as an industry-first innovation, claiming it delivered smoother and more accessible high-performance driving.

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano's manettino featured "Ice" and "Low Grip" settings for adverse weather conditions. However, driving enthusiasts focused more on the other three modes: corsa (Race), which offered the most aggressive performance; Sport, designed for the ideal balance of stability and road performance; and Off, which disabled certain aids for a purer driving experience.

Like other modern Ferraris, the 599 GTB Fiorano included a dashboard screen that showed the current manettino setting, trip information, tire pressure and temperature, and even lap times. A standout feature was the set of five small lights on the steering wheel rim, which signaled the optimal moments for gear shifts.

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Price

Despite its high-tech features, the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano remained a luxurious and comfortable two-seater, ideal for long drives. The cabin was not only roomy, thanks to the extended wheelbase, but also exquisitely finished with premium leather, aluminum, and carbon fiber. Power-adjustable seats, windows, mirrors, door locks, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel added to the convenience. Dual-zone climate control, heated mirrors, and keyless entry were also standard.

Ferrari offered a wide range of optional extras to cater to every customer's desires. For instance, the 599 reviewed by Road & Track in May 2007 came equipped with carbon-ceramic brakes ($18,550), carbon-fiber door panels and sills ($5790), a leather and carbon-fiber steering wheel ($5621), heated Recaro seats ($3710), a high-end Bose sound system ($3260), a leather headliner ($439), and the iconic prancing horse badges on the front fenders ($1743).

With these and other extras, the base price of $278,345 soared to an impressive $319,408. This reflects the cost of unparalleled engineering and performance honed through decades of racing success.

Such a price also buys world-class performance on demand. Road & Track recorded a 0-60 mph time of 3.2 seconds — faster than the Enzo — 0-100 mph in seven seconds, a quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds at 129.3 mph, and 0.97g on the skidpad.

However, as with all Ferraris, the numbers only scratch the surface. "The more you drive the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, the more you appreciate its brilliance," R&T noted. "It’s a GT car that rivals the world’s top sports cars in performance. It handles superbly, looks stunning, and is defined by its breathtaking 611-horsepower V-12 engine. The relentless power, the thrilling exhaust note, and the sheer exhilaration make it unforgettable." It’s no surprise the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano is celebrated as one of Ferrari’s greatest achievements.

This was a magnificent introduction to Ferrari’s 60th anniversary celebrations, and its journey is far from over. Industry insiders suggest a Ferrari 599 spider is on the horizon, with a track-focused variant and possibly a new "roto-top" Superamerica edition to follow. The anticipation is palpable.