Ferrari chose this busy automotive news day to release more info on the track-only 599xx. At least it would be new info if you missed our coverage of the U.S. debut of the supercar at the New York Auto Show.
We don't mind giving you a quick run-through of the details. Besides, it's a great excuse to look at all the new photos Ferrari released.
The most important bit of new(ish) info is that the 599xx has what Ferrari engineers have termed a "Virtual Race Engineer." This system essentially uses all the onboard computers to calculate what the maximum level of performance the car can achieve on a race track. To do this it takes every bit of data available, including tire temperature, tire pressure, engine and coolant temperature (as well as many other variables) and determines what the maximum level of performance capable by the car under those conditions is.
Unfortunately, if you're not Michael Schumacher, getting the car to go that fast is impossible… but here's where the fun part comes in. The 599XX's computer can then rate you (the driver) on your performance and tell you how close you are coming to the car's maximum potential - a humbling experience no doubt.
One way that the 599xx's computer helps a driver get the maximum performance out of the car is through the Actiflow system, which takes in air from under the car and uses two jets to shoot out air through outlets next to the taillights. This way the computer can control the level of lift/downforce on the rear of the car in accordance with the driving conditions.
In total, the 599xx can create 612 lbs of downforce at 124mph and almost 1,400 lbs of downforce at 186 mph.
As for the rest of the info, well, you probably already know by now that the V12 engine has been modified significantly to produce 700hp at 9000 rpm and that the new transmission control unit can now shift gears in as little as 60 milliseconds.
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New Ferrari 599XX Info and Photos Released on AutoGuide.com
New Ferrari 599XX Info and Photos Released
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