Marking the return of the famous GTO badge, which stands for “Gran Turismo Omologata”, Ferrari today unveiled the 599 GTO, a limited edition supercar that’s inspired by the track-only 599XX prototype.

Set to make its public debut at the Beijing Auto Show in China at the end of April, only 599 examples of the GTO will be built.

Billed as the company’s fastest ever road car, the 599 GTO makes use of the 599XX’s (Enzo-derived) tweaked 6.0-liter V12 engine that punches out 670-horsepower at 8,250 rpm with maximum torque of 620Nm (457 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm. For comparison, the V12 delivers 700HP in the 599XX and 620HP in the standard 599 GTB.

Despite the increase in power over the 599 GTB Fiorano, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are both improve slightly to 17.5 km/l and 411 g/km respectively.

Power is sent to the rear-wheels through the same six-speed sequential gearbox with lower 60 ms shift times and the possibility to make multiple downshifts found on the 599XX.

Ferrari announces a 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration time of just 3.35 seconds and a top speed over 335 km/h or 208mph.

More importantly, Maranello says that the 599 GTO lapped the Fiorano circuit in just 1min 24sec, or a second faster than the previous record set by the Enzo, making it the company’s fastest ever road-car.

The 599 GTO inherits much of the weigh-saving measures employed in the 599XX track-racer including widespread use of composite materials, resulting in a dry weight of 1495 kg (3,295 lbs) or 84kg (185 lbs) less than the 599 GTB, and a weight-to-power ratio of just 2.23 kg/hp.

Ferrari sharpened the supercar’s handling with the use of new springs and a stiffer rear antiroll bar as well as a second generation magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM2).

There’s also a lighter , carbon ceramic braking system, again derived from the 599XX, that helps the GTO come to a halt from 100km/h (62mph) in just 32.5 meters.

Other changes include the improved aerodynamics with the addition of a new front spoiler that incorporates a separate lower wing, a new sill design with a more pronounced leading edge, a new double-curve rear diffuser and the tweaked underbody panels.

The 599 GTO also gets a new hood design with air-vents and a matte gray rooftop finish while it rides on new 20-inch alloy wheels shod in beefier tires size 285/30 up front and 315/35 at the rear.

As for the interior, Ferrari fitted the car with bespoke, longer carbon-fibre F1 paddles for easier use in high-speed driving, a pair of bucket sport sears and the so-called “Virtual Race Engineer”, which is a system that monitors the status of the car and gives the driver immediate visibility of vehicle performance.

The Italian company did not release pricing on the 599 GTO, but a leaked document suggest that those interested will be looking at €267,136 (~$355,000) before taxes and options.

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In: Carscoop

Here we have the latest Novitec Rosso tuning job on the Ferrari California, which received a nice power boost and styling upgrade. The notorious Ferrari tuners from Novitec increased the 4.3-liter V8 powerplant to produce 606 hp at 7,900 rpm with 603 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. Thanks to the addition of a new supercharger with 0.4 bar of boost pressure, the Ferrari California also received a water-to-air intercooler, special intake manifold, new fuel injectors, and a custom exhaust system that allows the driver to control the sound. A new ECU with precise tuning from Novitec Rosso coordinates all these aftermarket parts hooked up to the Ferrari, and this supercar is now able to hit the 100 km/h mark in just 3.8 seconds.

The top speed was recorded at 325 km/h by the tuning firm, and the Novitec Rosso Ferrari California rides on new NF3 wheels that measure 21 inches in the front, and 22 inches in the rear. They come wrapped in high performance Pirelli tires, and the car’s suspension was modified to fit this wheel package. The Ferrari was lowered 35 mm with a hydraulic lift system, which can also raise the front end by 40 mm for those tricky speed bumps.

Improving the aerodynamics are some body kit components consisting of a new front spoiler, rocker panels, rear spoiler, rear diffuser, and discreet boot spoiler. Novitec really went over the top with this model, just like every Ferrari they tune, but it always turns out stunning. Their company also offers materials such as leather and Alcantara available in a variety of colors to match any interior.

In: Fancy Tuning

The Japanese tuners from Premier4509 have created a limited edition package for the Ferrari 430 that looks stunning. This program is going to be limited to only 300 sets so reserve it now before they’re gone. It consists of a new front bumper, side skirts, rear bumper, rear wing, and exhaust tip. Besides the new aerodynamic enhancements, the tuning firm installed a set of PL-V wheels measuring 19×8 in the front, and 20×13 at the rear. The car appears to be lowered, however it is most likely the larger sized wheels that are creating this illusion. New air vents in the front and along the sides help contribute to the aerodynamics, while the stylish rear wing provides enough down force to handle the Ferrari 430 power.

In: Fancy Tuning

Since the Geneva Motor Show is now underway, Novitec Rosso has released their latest tuning project on the Ferrari 599 GTB called the 848 RACE. Their specialists will only be creating three of these beautifully modified Ferrari 599 GTB models, which are more powerful than the previous Ferrari 599 Fiorano. The Ferrari engine alone could go without any customizations, so the guys at Novitec focused on the exterior styling first. This 848 RACE version of the Ferrari 599 features a new front spoiler lip, rear apron, rear diffuser, custom rear wing, and new rocker panels. These upgrades were installed to improve aerodynamics and cooling to the V12, which received some aftermarket parts.

Under the hood of the Novitec Rosso 848 RACE Ferrari, the tuners hooked up the 6.0-liter V12 with a twin compressor system, new intake manifold, injectors, air filter, and ECU tuning. Performance numbers for the Ferrari 599 show an amazing output of 837 hp at 7,900 rpm, and 842 Nm of torque at 6,300 rpm. Performing at the track is where the justice lies with a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of just 3.4 seconds, 200 km/h in 9.6 seconds, and 300 km/h is reached in 23.7 seconds. The Novitec Rosso Ferrari 599 GTB 848 RACE car can also reach a top speed of 345 km/h.

In: Fancy Tuning

Here are the official pictures of the new Gemballa MIG-U1 based on the Ferrari Enzo. The previous article we wrote last month did not have the performance numbers or high resolution photos of the Gemballa MIG-U1. Now we come to find out the car boasts a powerful V12 engine capable of producing 700 hp. The new styling kit Gemballa installed makes the car 80 mm wider in the front, and 100 mm wider at the rear than the stock Ferrari Enzo. There is also an electric hydraulic height adjustable suspension that can lower or raise the car 45 mm with the push of a button. This original MIG-U1 supercar was put together for Gemballa’s Middle East distributor, the Illyas and Mustafa Galardi Group.

Gemballa announced they will produce 25 of these cars now since they received such high praise. With the 700 horsepower and Ferarri Enzo structure it won’t come cheap though. The car also sits on Gemballa GTR Racing forged wheels made of light alloy and wrapped in high performance tires. The interior of the MIG-U1 was hooked up with satellite navigation, DVD player, iPod connection, 7″ touch screen, and 950 watt amplifier to boost the sound. While riding with all these premium options, the suspension was equipped with ball bearing bushings to improve the handling and driving comfort even further.

In: Gemballa

Gemballa released a new Ferrari Enzo tuning kit called the MIG-U1 that was supposed to debut at the Dubai Motor Show, but missed the cut-off date this month. This limited edition Ferrari model was completed for Gemballa’s Middle East distributor, the Illyas and Mustafa Galardi Group. They used Mustafa’s personal Ferrari Enzo for the project, and ended up with some stunning results. Built like a MIG fighter jet, the Enzo features a new aerodynamic body kit consisting of several parts. The performance numbers haven’t been released yet, but should be available soon if Gemballa plans to reveal it at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.

The exterior styling of this Ferrari is made up of a wide body kit with many added elements. Starting with front is a re-sculpted nose with hood scoop, leading to the roof scoop on top which carries all the way down the back to the jet thruster exhaust pipes. The wide body stance allowed Gemballa to add vents in front and behind the wheels, gills in the fenders, and a large rear wing that closely resembles the Subaru STi. With its middle east roots it’s surprising this Ferrari Enzo didn’t come painted in a gold or a chrome color scheme, and instead they kept it simply black and white. The interior received minor upgrades to the seats and panels with custom color stitching, however that is all the information we have until it shows off to the public.

In: Fancy Tuning

Ferrari is back into the business of coachbuilding as the Italian supercar maker unveiled the second one-off special after the P4/5 it built for American collector (and millionaire…) James Glickenhaus back in 2006. The new Ferrari P540 Superfast Ferries Aperta was created for Edward Walson, son of John Walson, the inventor of cable TV.

The wealthy American approached Ferrari in 2008 to produce a modern reinterpretation of the gold-coloured 1965 Ferrari 250GT NART Spyder featured in a 1968 Fellini short film called “Toby Dammit”.

“I had always dreamed of designing sports cars,” Walson explains, “and when I saw this film the decision came of its own accord: one day I would have ‘my’ Ferrari.” And well, he did.

In case you didn’t notice, the Ferrari P540 Superfast Aperta is based on the 599 GTB Fiorano. The car was designed by Pininfarina and built in Maranello, with Ferrari claiming that Walson was directly involved in each stage of its development.

According to the Italians, while considerable effort went into strengthening the chassis after the roof was chopped off, the increase in weight was kept down to just 20 kg or 44 pounds by employing carbon-fibre extensively.

Ferrari said that from the initial sketches to the final, road-legal car, it took just 14 months to complete the project.

Those of you with a strong memory may remember that we first showed you the P540 Superfast Aperta earlier this year, though then, we didn’t know any details about the one-off Prancing Horse model.

Technical specifications

Length 4731 mm

Width 1954 mm

Height 1300 mm

Wheelbase 2750 mm

Front track 1690 mm

Rear track 1620 mm

Engine

65° V12

Displacement 5999 cc

Maximum power 456 kW (620 CV) at 7600 rpm

Maximum torque 608 Nm (62 kgm) at 5600 rpm

Transmission

F1 6-speed gearbox

Tyres

Front 245/35 20″

Rear 305/35 20″

Fuel consumption

Combined cycle 17.9 l/100 km

CO2 emissions

Combined cycle 415 g/km

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In: Carscoop

Even the Ferrari California can’t escape from the tuning claws of companies like Novitec Rosso that has revealed a comprehensive, yet subtle package for the hardtop roadster. The German tuners offerings include a tasty aero kit, suspension and engine modifications, new interior options and custom wheels.

Novitec Rosso starts under the hood, where it remaps the V8′s ECU and adds a stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts and a flap actuator. With the upgrade, the 4.3-liter V8 engine gains an extra 40HP and 33Nm of torque raising output to 500HP and 518Nm (382 lb-ft). In addition, the engine’s redline has been increased to 8,300 rpm.

In the suspension department, the California receives a set of sport springs that lower the ride height by some 35 millimeters while the tuner has developed a hydraulic front lift system that raises the front of the car by some 40 millimeters at the push of a button in the interior to allow drivers to safely navigate parking garage ramps or speed bumps.

The package includes an aerodynamic kit comprising of a front spoiler, rocker panel mouldings, black side markers, a newly designed diffuser for the rear apron and a spoiler lip on the trunk lid. All aero-components are made from lightweight yet high-strength clear-coated carbon fiber.

The tasty exterior upgrades are rounded off by a new set of 21-inch (front) and 22-inch (rear) alloy wheels wrapped in 255/30 Pirelli rubber at the front and 315/25 at the back.

Finally, the tuner offers a several options for the interior including custom-order leather or Alcantara upholstery.

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In: Carscoop

Joining the insane 827HP Porsche 911 GT2 Speed at Wimmer RS’s booth at the 2009 Essen Motor Show is the Ferrari F430 Scuderia, a subtly tuned version of the F430 Spider model. Performance modifications include a power pack that comprises of an upgraded ECU and a hand-built, sport exhaust system featuring remote controlled valves that allow the driver to choose between a nearly stock and racing note from the quad tail pipes.

The kit slightly boosts the 4.3-liter V8′s power from 490HP to 528HP with Wimmer RS announcing the Italian thoroughbred goes from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in a claimed 3.84 seconds, to 200km/h (124mph) in 11.03 seconds and to 300km/h (187mph) within 34.9 seconds.

The tuned F430 Spider is said to top out at 321 km/h or 200 mph.

The German firm’s sport package also includes a KW HLS suspension system that allows the front-end of the car to be lifted by 45mm at a push of a button to safely navigate obstacles such as parking ramps or speed bumps without damaging the vehicle.

The tuner finished the package with 19-inch lightweight alloy rims from BBS shod in 225/35 R19 Dunlop tires up front and 305/30 R19 tires at the rear.

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In: Carscoop

Feeding into our supercar lust, Ferrari published a new photo gallery of its tweaked 599 GTB Fiorano with the Handling GT Evoluzione sport package. Revealed for the first time at this year’s Geneva Salon, the HGTE is in essence an optional pack designed to further improve driver involvement and agility, as well as to enhance the standard 599 GTB Fiorano’s grip.

At a first glance it looks no different than the standard version. Take a second look and you’ll see that it’s sitting closer to the ground, it rides on newly designed 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in high-performance tires while there’s also a more aggressive front grille and new chromed tail pipes that promise to deliver a throatier exhaust sound.

Other changes include a modified magnetorheological damper settings for improved body control while the 599 GTB’s interior has been enhanced with sportier seats embroidered with the words “Handling GTE” and plenty of carbon-fibre trim.

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In: Carscoop