Drive Ferrari's future with the 599XX

Ferrari wants customer input into its future car development and the 599XX is the ultimate means of gaining it. Much like the FXX programme, 599XX ownership is a strictly limited club that allows those with the necessary 1.1 million Euros (before local taxes) to become one of Ferrari's 'client test drivers'. A highly developed variant of the 599 model with power boosted to 700bhp and maximum revs raised to 9,000rpm, this €1.1m plaything is not just for the super wealthy, but also super talented owners.

What's all the fuss about?

Seven hundred horsepower, six events with full Ferrari support, full telemetry, a weight of around 1,330kg and some of Ferrari's most innovative technology makes the 599XX a formidable performance machine. It'll never be homologated for race or road use, instead the 599XX being delivered to your track of choice when you want to play. Not just anyone can phone up and ask for one though, as Ferrari is only offering its 599XX to its most favoured customers; the type who may have taken part in the FXX programme or own one of Ferrari's old F1 cars. Demonstrating just how advanced from the standard car the 599XX is is its lap time around Ferrari's Fiorano test track, the 599XX taking 10 seconds off the standard 599's 1min 27 second lap time. That's only one second slower than the FXX too, which has 100bhp more.

Any new technology?

New technology is what the 599XX is all about. It really is a rolling test bed for future road car technology. The most innovative feature is active aerodynamics, the 599XX having two fans underneath to manage airflow. The fans vent air via large outlets where the rear lights would feature on the standard car. Ferrari calls its active aerodynamics 'Actiflow', this increasing downforce and reducing drag by use of a porous material and specially channelled air at the rear of the car. A technological showcase, the 599XX will change as Ferrari's technical expertise increases, Ferrari's customer test drivers being at the cutting edge of the firm's road car development.

When can I buy one?

If you've not already been asked if you want one then it's highly unlikely you'll get the chance to own a 599XX. Ferrari will only build around 30 for its most favoured clients, all of whom will need to stump up an eye-watering €1.1m for the privilege. However, as one-upmanship goes there's little to beat the 599XX in Geneva's halls.

Kyle Fortune