Ferrari's 599 roadster

Ferrari 599 information: everything you need to know if you own a Ferrari 599, are thinking of buying one or just want to find out more about the 599. Click on the links below for all of CAR Magazine’s news, reviews, videos, scoops and spy photos of the 599 car range. We list the top 10 stories for each model – and where appropriate you can click on ‘More’ to browse even more of our archive content.

The Ferrari 599 is the grand GT of the Ferrari range, a front-engined V12 with real provenance: it’s nabbed from the fabled Enzo hypercar. Pick the Sport pack for added sharpness. For more information on the Ferrari 599, click on our further stories on the links below.

Ferrari’s next new model will be a 599 roadster, Ferrari chairman Luca de Montezemolo told journalists in London last night. 

‘A lot of our clients are saying they want an open, 12-cylinder car with very sporty performance. At Pebble Beach, we will present this car,’ said de Montezemolo.

Ferrari is working on a drop-top 599?

Yes. Ferrari is currently presenting the convertible 599 to a select number of clients, before unveiling it to the wider public in August.

‘It’s a car I like very much. As usual we will make it in low numbers for collectors. It’s beautiful, a car to enjoy at a particular time of life,’ said de Montzemolo, eulogising on how Ferrari’s diverse portfolio caters for everyone from young batchelors to families of four. And soon, front-engined, 12-cylinder convertible-lovers of a certain age and income.

Ferrari’s last 12-cylinder convertible was 575 Superamerica, unveiled in 2004, which adopted an unsual, pivoting glass roof. This flipped to lay flat on the rear deck, to avoid compromising luggage space. Bizarrely, it’s a concept that will soon be available at a tenth of the price, on Renault’s forthcoming Twingo-based Wind roadster.

No word yet on whether the open 599 will have a similarly pioneering roof system, a fabric top or a folding metal roof. Our money is on a California-style folding hardtop.

Expect some engine modifications to enhance the 599 GTB Fiorano’s 612bhp V12, and a similar inflationary modification to the coupe’s £207,620 asking price.

De Montezemolo suggested that this 599 will have a suffix added to its badge, most probably a place in keeping with the Fiorano, Italia and Maranello nameplates adorning recent cars. ‘It won’t be any of these, but it will be a romantic name,’ said de Montezemolo.

After the open-top 599, the next car to be unveiled by Ferrari will be a convertible version of the 458. We should see that car in early 2011.

source : http://www.carmagazine.co.uk

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Ferrari 458 information: everything you need to know if you own a Ferrari 458, are thinking of buying one or just want to find out more about the 458. Click on the links below for all of CAR Magazine’s news, reviews, videos, scoops and spy photos of the 458 car range. We list the top 10 stories for each model – and where appropriate you can click on ‘More’ to browse even more of our archive content.

The Ferrari 458 is the ‘starter’ Ferrari – but is incredibly as fast as the outgoing 430 Scuderia. Classic Ferrari cues abound: there’s a screaming, mid-engined V8, looks to die for and a scintillating drive guaranteed. For more information on the Ferrari 458, click on our further stories on the links below.

This is the new Ferrari 458 Challenge, the latest in a line of racers to emerge from Maranello. It was unveiled at today's Bologna motor show. It's not the first time we've seen the race-spec 458, but they've issued more photos of it.

Haven't I seen the Ferrari 458 Challenge somewhere before?

Ferrari previewed it first at its annual dealer meeting in Italy earlier this autumn. The 458 Challenge is destined to race in the 2011 Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli series. It's the fifth Ferrari designed to race in the Pracing Horse's one-make series.

The new 458 Challenge is a mix of stock 458 Italia and new competition-spec upgrades. The 4.5-litre V8 is road-car legal and develops the same 562bhp at a neck-tingling 9000rpm, but it'll soar to that epic redline more frequently thanks to shorter gearing.

The twin-clutch gearbox is recalibrated to ensure more torque at lower revs, too. But amateur race hands be relieved: the E-DIff electronics remain on hand to curb the worst tail slides on track.

So what makes the Ferrari 458 Challenge a racer?

One of the chief differences between the 458 Italia road car and this Challenge racer is a diet, says Ferrari, although it has yet to issue a kerb weight. The bodyshell panels are thinner in most places and much of the glasswork is replaced by Lexan plastic.

The Challenge should corner on the obligatory tramlines, thanks to a thorough overhaul of the already-not-at-all-shabby suspension. Out go the rubber bushes replaced by solid aluminium bushing; the springs are stiffer and dampers recalibrated; the ride is dropped 50mm all round; and Pirelli slicks are fitted to the new quick-release 19in rims.

Brembo's latest CCM2 brakes from the 599XX are donated to the 458 Challenge to wipe off all that speed. And to help you pile the clicks back on, an upgraded F1-Trac traction control system is added with dry and wet settings to put the ponies to the track. Yet more settings on the manettino steering wheel switch to befuddle the driver mid-corner...
 

Cue obligatory laptime around Fiorano...

Ah yes. Since you asked the 458 Challenge puts in a 1min 16.5sec lap, generating up to 1.6g in the fastest corners. That's two seconds a lap faster than the previous Challenge racer, says Ferrari. To put that in context, even the Enzo lapped in 1min 24.9sec in 2002.

Should be enough to get the professional and gentlemen racers reaching for their chequebooks. Which will need lots of spaces for zeros, as the 458 Challenge is likely to far outstrip the Italia's £169,546 price tag. The 430 Challenge cost around £185,000 (including the first year's race entry fee) compared to the F430's £145,000 price tag.

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