Ferrari 599 GTO – AUSmotive.com

Ferrari’s newest hypercar, the 599 GTO, was given its maiden showing in Modena recently. The event was held at the Military Academy’s Ducal Palace and Ferrari’s top brass were in attendanceâ€”including Chairman Luca di Montezemolo, Vice Chairman Piero Ferrari and CEO Amedeo Felisa.

After the formalities and speeches three 599 GTOs were driven inside the Academy. At the wheel were ex-F1 drivers Luca Badoer and Giancarlo Fisichella, as well as long time Ferrari test driver Dario Benuzzi.

You can see some video highlights of the event after the jump. You can also play around at configure your own 599 GTO on the Ferrari website. But don’t get too attached to your creation, the entire production run of 599 vehicles has already sold out. Damn, missed by that much!

Wow!

If you are one of the 599 people who will get to buy this car, let me say I will be forever envious. Pencil in the 599 GTO as one of Ferrari’s all time great cars. It is Ferrari’s fastest road car ever released and it has to be one of the most purposeful and best looking models adorned with the Prancing Horse.

Based on the mega-awesome, but somewhat restrictive track only 599XX, this GTO model features a 6.0 litre V12 producing a stupendous 500kW (670bhp) along with a mighty 620Nm of torque. The transmission is an F1 inspired 6-speed box. The GTO has a dry weight of 1495kg and is capable of reaching 100km/h in 3.35 seconds and on to a v-max of 335km/h.

As expected Ferrari’s engineering boffins have done some serious work under the skin and the magnetorheological suspension system, well, it just has to be good with a name like that. Ferrari say the SCM2 system makes the car extremely responsive to driver inputs and offers sharper turn-in, precise cornering and quick exit speeds.

The 599 GTO has lapped Ferrari’s Fiorano text track in 1 minute 24 seconds which isn’t exactly hanging about. For more on the 599 GTO take the jump where you will find more pics and Ferrari’s press release. You can also see more on the Ferrari website. The car’s official reveal will take place at the Beijing Motor Show at the end of this month.