Ferrari's Laboratorio Technologico 599XX: Top Speed is "in excess of 208 MPH"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2010/04/08/fastest-ferrari-revealed/

Ferrari recently showed off its new Laboratorio Technologico 599XX experimental car based on the regular 599 GTB Fiorano, and while we all wished the wild concept would eventually enter production, the chances of actually buying one are next to nil except maybe for a few lucky people enlisted as Ferrari client test drivers.

However, a tamer version of the car, while still aimed at well-heeled track enthusiasts, is going to be launched later in the year--and this one will actually be road-legal. Making its world debut at this month’s 2010 Beijing Auto Show, the new car will revive the most hallowed of Ferrari badges: GTO (Gran Turismo Omologata)--the first time those three letters will have been used since the 288 GTO ended production almost a quarter of a century ago.

Similar in theory to the F430 Scuderia and the 360 Challenge Stradale before that, the new 599 GTO is, in fact, Ferrari’s fastest ever road car. Not surprisingly, the car set a record lap time at the Fiorano circuit of just 1m 24s. It is an exclusive limited edition special which, in true Ferrari tradition, is a completely new concept, albeit inspired by the 599XX.

To achieve this status, the regular 599 GTB’s venerable 6.0-liter V-12 engine was uprated to 670 horsepower and the car put on an extensive weight saving program to bring the final kerb weight down to 3,296 pounds. This resulted in an acceleration time for the 0-62 mph sprint of 3.35 seconds and a top speed in excess of 208 mph.

[hobbit709]

1. The fastest I ever went on the ground was 160

That was many years ago and it was on the Autostrada between Bari and Naples.

[Dr Morbius]

2. 670 Horsepower is insane!

No, literally. Two hundred horses will pull any car around. Three hundred HP and it's fast, too. More than that, it would be the fastest car on the freeway. 670? That's just nuts, ridiculous power.

Thank goodness, actually, that they're taming it down. 0-62 in less that 3.5 seconds and some people I know would kill themselves in it!

The high price of Ferraris no doubt keep some idiots from behind the wheel, but who here thinks all rich people are smart people? I know I don't.

Really neat car, I must admit. Six liter V12 generating 670 horsepower. Wow.

[MajorChode]

3. The problem is when you get it up to 60mph and pull the steering wheel, nothing interesting happens

If I'm going to go that fast, I'd want it to be in the air where I don't have to worry so much about traffic and tickets.

[struggle4progress]

5. Pretty sad: doesn't look like you can go faster than about 300 feet per second in it, either

That alone disqualifies it as a get-away vehicle. And with the distinctive styling and shiny bright red paintjob, I can't see any use for it

If it looked like an slightly rusted Honda Accord and did 450 feet per second, I might give it a second glance

[pokerfan]

4. Bill Cosby - 200 MPH

“So I’m walking around a department store and I bump into Caroll Shelby. Caroll starts chewing me out, you drive all them Ferrari’s and Maseratti’s. 'You're an American, aren’t you?'

'Yeah.'

'Well, you should be driving an American car.'

'Well, an American car only does 160. I need a car that does 180 to get to work, because I live a mile from work. I can kiss my wife, good-bye dear and I’m at work.'

My people, the Cobra people will build a car for you that does..... over 200 MPH!' 'You're kidding.' 'No, because I’m having one built built for me and it's going to have dual... everything.”



While the majority of Cosby's Warner Bros. standup albums were regularly re-released on LP, and eventually issued on CD in April 1998, 200 M.P.H. was not reissued on vinyl (although it was available on cassette in the '80s), and did not see a CD release until 2005, mainly due to controversy over the main sketch's punchline, where Cosby returns the car and suggests that it be given to former Alabama governor and pro-segregationist George Wallace, who was running for President as a third party candidate at the time. In a recent late-night talk show appearance, Cosby briefly re-told this story and said that he had heard that Jimmy Webb (of "MacArthur Park" fame) eventually ended up with his Cobra.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/200_M.P.H.

[flvegan]

6. Just like the FXX.

You can put down the $2 million, and Ferrari might let you drive it on their track when they want you to.

The resulting tech transferring to the 599GTB should be very nice, indeed.

[Mopar151]

7. Don't need no Ferrari to go 200 + , or $2M

http://www.sscc.us/results-record.htm "Open Road" racing is held on closed roads in remote areas. Lots of NASCAR and SCCA technology, & some good old hot rodding
Lary Larson's self-built missle goes 200 mph (standing start 1/4 mile) and is street legal and street driven http://www.bangshift.com/blog/Breaking-News-Larry-Larson-Wins-Hot-Rod-Drag-Week-Overall.html

http://www.bangshift.com/gallery/Larry-Larson-1966-chevy-nova-gallery.html