Fast cars and speed cars

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.