Not on a public road, anyway. Pistonheads reports that Ferrari will unveil its “invitation only” 599XX program at the Geneva Auto Show tomorrow. “Described as a rolling technological laboratory aimed at a select group of clients, Ferrari says the 599XX incorporates ‘the most advanced the technologies from road-going and F1 research, many being used for the first time and having been developed exclusively for this special car’ . . . the Ferrari FXX project introduced in 2005, the 599XX will be available only to a handful of extremely wealthy clients who will probably never get to drive the cars on the road. Instead they will be invited to attend regular sessions at Ferrari’s test track, where they can experience the latest performance innovations in the company of Ferrari engineers and test drivers.” So Ferrari’s customers will pay for the marque’s research and development, and don’t even get to park a car in their garage? Now that’s what I call brand power. Provided, you know, they pull it off. 2009 is not 2005, in case you hadn’t noticed.
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599GTB > F430
LP560-4 convertible > 599
Or at least that’s what I think.
I don’t think you have to pay for it? They’re just inviting existing Ferrari friends to test out the prototypes on Ferrari’s track?
Maybe I’m wrong but that’s how it seems to me.
There’s still a lot of old money in the world: Arab sheiks, Sultan of Brunei, De Beers . . .
This would be perfect for the Ascari Race Resort.
Holy crap, according to this article the 599XX is going to have cutting edge technologies like active aerodynamics and biofuel compatibility. It’s like someone took the most cutting edge features of the Chrysler Crossfire and Chevrolet Impala and combined them into one car.
Although I’m sure Ferrari will come up with something more “myth”ical, like “One day one of our senior engineers was riding his donkey to work, and he though to himself, if my donkey can get its energy from things that grow out of the earth then possibly we can do the same thing with a Ferrari.”
So Ferrari’s customers will pay for the marque’s research and development, and don’t even get to park a car in their garage?
Yes, that’s the FXX program. From the looks of this it’s expanding from a highly modified experimental Enzo to highly modified experimental road cars. Geneva looks like this is the kick off for the expansion.
Be post-F1 Schumi a few times a year.
After reading RF’s description of Ferrari ownership it’s probably for the better that they keep it in their garage instead of yours.
“Italian cars don’t break down. They cease to be adored.”
Why not add one more X?
I mean, if you’re gonna go car porn, go ALL THE WAY.
People are weird. All the new technology is likely going to show up in the next base Ferrari (F420?), so these suckers will be wasting money on an uncomfortable, stripped down kinda stale car (2003?) just to have the tech a year before anyone else does.
maniceightball :
March 2nd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
People are weird. All the new technology is likely going to show up in the next base Ferrari (F420?), so these suckers will be wasting money on an uncomfortable, stripped down kinda stale car (2003?) just to have the tech a year before anyone else does.
The editor who wrote the Spyker C8 review said it best. The buyers at this level are doing things out of boredom and weighing this purchase against a “yacht, light aircraft, or tourbillon watch,” and exclusivity. When there’s not much out of your reach, things like this make a difference at the country club.