Ferrari reveals latest GTO
Thursday April 08, 2010
The original Ferrari 250 GTO is revered as one of the paragons of racecars homologated for road use. A second GTO, the Ferrari 288 GTO, still inspires and enthrals with the performance it gave when introduced in 1984. Based on the Ferrari 599 GTB, the latest Ferrari GTO - gran turismo omologato, the Ferrari 599 GTO, is going to be shown at the Beijing Motor Show in April 2010. Ferrari have released a few images and the specification in advance of that event. The 599 GTO takes some of the advances from the track-only Ferrari 599XX and makes them available in a road car for the first time.
The engine capacity of the 5999 cc, 65 degree V12 of the 599 GTO remains unchanged from the 599 GTB, but various engine tweaks have upped power and torque, to 670 PS (493 kW) at 8250 rm and 620 Nm (457 lb.ft) at 6500 rpm respectively. Particular attention was given to the fluid dynamics to improve efficiency, reducing internal friction and the redesigned crankshaft from the 599XX was adopted. These improvements help drop the claimed 0-100 km/h time from 3.6 seconds to 3.35 seconds, and raises the top speed to over 335 km/h. The six speed F1 gearbox, also taken from the 599XX, features quicker shift times - claimed to be 60 ms.
The 599 GTO has shed weight, down to 1605 kg at the kerb, and also boasts enhanced aerodynamics to increase downforce without increasing overall drag. Airflow to the brakes and around the body has been improved, with adjustments to the nose and the incorporation of a double-curve rear diffuser.
Larger wheels and tyres provide better grip and reduced understeer. Front tyres are 285/30 ZR 20 and the rears are 315/35 ZR 20. Carbon ceramic ventilated disc brakes are adopted front and rear, with Formula 1 inspired doughnuts to assist cooling and reduce drag by channelling the hot air from the brakes to exit the wheelarches as close to the body of the car as possible.
All told, the improvements to the 599 GTO helped it set a new record for Ferrari road cars at their Fiorano test track of 1 minute 24 seconds. Only 599 of these supercars will be built, so it's a privileged few that will get to experience Ferrari's fastest ever road car.
The engine capacity of the 5999 cc, 65 degree V12 of the 599 GTO remains unchanged from the 599 GTB, but various engine tweaks have upped power and torque, to 670 PS (493 kW) at 8250 rm and 620 Nm (457 lb.ft) at 6500 rpm respectively. Particular attention was given to the fluid dynamics to improve efficiency, reducing internal friction and the redesigned crankshaft from the 599XX was adopted. These improvements help drop the claimed 0-100 km/h time from 3.6 seconds to 3.35 seconds, and raises the top speed to over 335 km/h. The six speed F1 gearbox, also taken from the 599XX, features quicker shift times - claimed to be 60 ms.
The 599 GTO has shed weight, down to 1605 kg at the kerb, and also boasts enhanced aerodynamics to increase downforce without increasing overall drag. Airflow to the brakes and around the body has been improved, with adjustments to the nose and the incorporation of a double-curve rear diffuser.
Larger wheels and tyres provide better grip and reduced understeer. Front tyres are 285/30 ZR 20 and the rears are 315/35 ZR 20. Carbon ceramic ventilated disc brakes are adopted front and rear, with Formula 1 inspired doughnuts to assist cooling and reduce drag by channelling the hot air from the brakes to exit the wheelarches as close to the body of the car as possible.
All told, the improvements to the 599 GTO helped it set a new record for Ferrari road cars at their Fiorano test track of 1 minute 24 seconds. Only 599 of these supercars will be built, so it's a privileged few that will get to experience Ferrari's fastest ever road car.
