Ferrari takes a walk on the wild side with the F1-derived 599XX extreme track car.

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The 599XX is aimed at (rich) owners that want to experience Prancing Horse driving pleasure at its purest — in fact, Ferrari will be organising a programme of dedicated track events for it in 2010/2011. Conceived exclusively for track but not official competition use this sports car incorporates the most advanced technologies resulting from Ferrari’s road-going and F1 research.

The solutions adopted for the 599XX — many of which will remain exclusive to it — enhance its levels of performance and can be summed up in one statistic: a Fiorano lap time of just 1 minute and 17 seconds. Although it is such an extreme car, the 599XX still retains the ergonomics of the road-going model which are essential for non-professional drivers engaging in intensive track driving.

While based on the 599 GTB Fiorano with the same transaxle layout and engine type, Ferrari’s engineers have carried out extensive work on the 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 9000rpm, helped achieve the target power output of 700hp at 9000 rpm. Particular attention was also paid to cutting the weight of the engine unit components. This was achieved both by optimising forms — as in the new crankshaft — and adopting exclusive materials, as in the carbon-fibre used for the intake plenums. A new gearbox shift strategy cuts overall gearchange times to 60ms.

The 599XX is characterised by an innovative electronic concept called the “High Performance Dynamic Concept” which has been designed to get the maximum performance from the car by managing the combination of the car’s mechanical limits with the potential of its electronic controls. The sporty handling has been improved thanks to the adoption of second generation SCM suspension system. Track usage is also made easier thanks to the new “virtual car engineer”, a screen in the car that provides a real-time indication of the vehicle’s efficiency.

The 599XX’s aerodynamics were honed in numerous wind tunnel test sessions with the result that the car now boasts 280kg of downforce at 200km/h (630kg at 300km/h). The front underside of the body is completely faired-in and the vents that channel hot air from the engine bay have been moved to the bonnet.

Ferrari’s engineers have also used F1-derived “doughnuts” which partly cover the brake discs and wheel rim. These have the dual function of improving both aerodynamics and brake cooling.

In terms of the bodywork, composites and carbon-fibre have been widely used and the engineers drew on their experience in working with aluminium to reach the weight target. The development of increasingly high-performance materials has also benefited the carbon-ceramic material braking system. The brake pads are now made from carbon-fibre which means that the callipers are smaller whilst guaranteeing the same efficiency. The new racing carbon ceramic braking system also delivers shorter braking distances and is generally more efficient due to the weight saving.

It all adds up to one wild car.