599 drive / side by side pictures with 550

My my my, I had a 599 for a couple of hours on twisty roads, what a beast. Not that much impressed by the low end, it's very comparable to the 550, but from 5000 to 8500, what a blast ! Window down, the rush in 2nd, 3rd and 4th on twisty mountain roads, with the noise reverberating on stone walls and in narrow tunnels, the 599 is an amazing experience. The F1 gearbox has made huge progress over the 575 and really makes upshifts an experience , and the carbon ceramic brakes are your best ally when that thing spits you towards a hairpin.

Equally amazed by the handling, the steering is still razor direct, but with a tad more weight and feel than on the Maranello. Grip is really commendable, with a nice and subtle adjustability at lift off without being as hairy as mid engine berlinetta can get. Did not explore the envelope of the Race mode, bringing the car intact was obviously a must, but playing around on a track with plenty of run-off must be an absolute blast. The Sport mode is well judged, though it prevents any kind of slide angle.

Side by side pictures with my 550 make the Fiorano look huge, it's 59mm taller and 10cm longer, but visually, the 550 is completely dwarfed. Never thought that the Maranello would look like a small car one day.

Low lights ? Creaky bucket carbon shells, a persistent check engine warning gremlin, and carbon ceramic brakes which have become grumbly after 10'000 arguably 'lively' miles. Still not a great fan of the looks, but Ferrari deserves respect for what they achieved with the Fiorano, and I am grateful I had the opportunity to drive one in such conditions.

 

Very nice write up. Look forward to seeing a 599 other than at the autoshows.

 

Thanks for the pics!

This one really puts things into perspective.... Holy!

http://www.asphalte.ch/Auto/599-2/599-2-5490.php

 

Wow! I didn't realize that there was such a difference in size. If only they could put the engine in the 550

 

550 is still heavier so what's the point?

 

Esthetics, I presume. Anecdotally, many people have the same reaction: Maranello is the prettier car. Would be way overpowered with a 599 engine, brakes could not cope, suspension neither. That's the biggest feat of the Fiorano: it's scarily homogenous. Scarier still, we'll be looking at the 599 in 7 or 8 years and say "wow, they've completely outdone this car, in all departments".

 

599=better car
550/575= best looking, more affordable car

I'll take the latter (either) in blue pozzi

 

Sorry, I think the 599 is the better looking car.

 

+1
IMO the 599 dates the 550/575 back to the irrelevant design past. Actually I don't know what class of design the 550/575 belongs to. The green house is more reminiscent of the 2+2's than anything else, the rear deck seems to have come from the Volvo sedans of the period, and the front facia/grill lights combination, while aggressive, is too busy. Overall, a bit too baroque to be called beautiful, for my taste. But, it was a great car for its time.

 

I thought i liked the looks of the 599 better until this post came along. Still dont own either though, wishful thinking.

 

People shouldn't park the 599 next to a 550/575, it only puts into sharp relief how ugly the 599 is.

 

I don't need to own one to have an opinion. I really like the 599. The design is modern but still has classic cues. I would have preferred dual tail lights but it's still a nice car with great power yet everyday usability.

However, the 575 is my all time favorite car. The sleekness, long nose, short rear deck, sloped roofline...what a car. Doesn't look dated to me. It's sooo sexy.

 

Saw a 599 in Greensboro a few weeks ago. It was fly yellow and that color made the car look enormous, I think darker metallic colors would make the car look much sleeker. Frankly, I was a bit disappointed. I wanted to love it.

 

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I do like the looks of the 575 but the 599 really is the sexier in my book. I will have mine in 10 days or so and I hope I love it when I drive it.

 

Ugly/pretty is subjective, there does not seem to be that much consensus on the matter, but nobody can argue against the fact that the 599 looks very BIG in comparison.

 

'ugly' ? that's a really strong word...even if you don't like the design...

me, there are certain things i like about the 550 design, and certain things i don't--and never have. while there are a few things about the 599's design i don't like, overall, i do like it quite a bit. and to my eyes, it does make the 550/575 look quite dated. and yes, that pic really shows the size difference.

 

beautiful cars. any more pics?

 

Get real, calling the 599 ugly is just plain ridiculous and speaks more to your bias than anything else!
As to size, the closer you get to the 599 it actually starts looking smaller. The flowing curves front and back disappear aggressively towards the center of the car. It's a wonderfully sophisticated design and one can discover something new about every time you look at it.
On the road, as one approaches you, its presence is unequalled. We will be discussing this car's design for many years to come, unlike the 550 which is already forgotten by most of us.
Beautiful in the classic sense probably not, but as Gordon Murray has said in Evo many times, including the latest issue reflecting his views of the Geneva show, the 599 is the most interesting, modern, sophisticated and best sports car design in the world.

 

I had a 575, I have a Superamerica and now I have a 599 to go along with it.
The interesting point for me to note is that I always get comments from others when I am out in the 599. People who see it in the metal are impressed and they comment.
The Superamerica, as rare as it is, simply doesn't get anywhere near the attention. My 575 which was really beautiful in Pozzi Blue was similarly disregarded. The 575 is a a lovely design, but in Ferrari terms was very understated and the Superamerica is simply a 575 with a glass top and a vertical rear window rather than a sloping one.
The 599 however is clearly a supercar, an exotic, a car that really looks like something special. Perhaps it is the the attitude of the car with its pronounced slope from rear to front, perhaps it is the size which is significant. Whatever it is, it draws attention all the time. In the several months I have owned it I have not heard anything but very favorable comments.

I suspect that most of the negative criticism of the 599 on FChat comes from people who have not had a chance to see one up close.

 

I've seen close to 20 different ones, and in many colors. I hate the look of the car. I never will like it.

 

Such strong feelings! Hate is a powerful word. I feel sad for you that you can hate an inanimate object.

 

I have not seen a 599 in the flesh yet but the design still needs to win me over when I see the photographs. It is dramatic but not pretty. But considering all the rave reviews I would definitely buy one if I had the opportunity.

I do LOVE the 550 though and am looking to purchase one over the next month or two. Can't wait!

Concerning the size difference: OMG! I had no idea!


Onno

 

Spoken like a 19 year old!
If you have seen "close to 20 different ones" you must have the ability to be in many places all at the same time. I do not know for sure, but I doubt there are that many in any region of the country.

 

Hi JC,

great pictures, I wish I could have joined you for this test drive! My opinion: the 599 next to the 550 looks way too big, almost like a cartoon sketch.

I must say that I still consider the 550 to be way more classy and elegant.

Regarding power: ask our aussie friends, the 550/575 chassis can easily cope with 540-550 HP (especially the Fiorano spec). I agree that 620HP would be too much, but there is a way... I remember a company in England offering an expensive but gorgeous conversion of the 550 from "stock" to "road-legal FIA GT" specification using the successful Prodrive design. That car weighs 1300Kg and packs 600HP. I'd take that over a 599.

 

Maybe you should travel to Pennsylvania,they supposedly have over 20 of them(in all colors)