HGTE Question

I like many here have read a few article on the HGTE kit and the improvements it makes to handling, however nothing has been written about ground clearance issues. Had a look at a 599 HGTE this a.m and the ride is much lower than the standard.

My question for those with the HGTE kit is does the car tend to ground on really bumpy road or is this not an issue.Already I thinking that the small lip at the front of the car is looking very vulnerable due to the lower ride height..

Anyone had any issues with the lower height?

 

All I know is that if our 599 was 1mm lower it wouldn't make it past our parking's entrance ramp.

Nevermind 1cm...

 

I also would like to know as I am getting my HGTE very soon...Is there any chance it will pass over a speed bump without scraping?

 

My 599 already scrapes the road when I go up or down certain carpark ramps or when I approach a hill too quickly. I think 1cm should be fine, but you might want to install skid plates to protect your bumper.

 

I guess I'll be staying out of car parks. I hate that scraping sound. Had it a couple of times on my F430 and this is a sound I just can't get used to.

 

Most car parks are fine really, you just need to remember which are the ones that you cannot use. Since 599s have more ground clearance than other exotics, as long as you see any other low slung sports car parked in a car park, you should be able to use it too.

 

Mine used to ground often under heaving braking in the Alps. I find mine grounds less since I had the HGTE kit fitted. Less dive under braking, firmer suspension and shorter fender liners.

 

Great input! So the HGTE upgrade really does reduce the body roll by a significant amount?

 

Yes it does. On downhill hairpins under heavy braking, my pre-HGTE 599 would ground out fairly frequently. Not anymore.

 

I had my 07 599 dropped over an inch and never had a problem.. I did have some skid plates put on, just as a precaution, but never had a scrape.

 

how much lower do the HGTE springs make it? can only the springs be ordered?

When you dropped it an inch, what springs did you use?
Did the ride change much?

 

Here's a release from earlier this year. Purchasing this kit in stages, you have to get the entire suspension upgrade.

"The upgrades include a renewed suspension setup consisting of new more rigid springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as new calibration for the magnetorheological shock absorbers when in the sporty positions of the Manettino (SPORT and RACE positions). The handling features a better response time and a feeling of increased compactness without unduly compromising driving comfort. The car’s ride height has also been reduced and therefore the center of gravity lowered still further, which helps with the reduction of weight shift. The lowering of the center of mass combined with the new setup helps to reduce the squat and dive as well as pitch and roll, with the resulting benefit to the car’s dynamic performance.
This setting reduces the static roll and rolling movements on the tracks as well as pitching. This gives the car faster turn-in and less under-steer effect. The car’s performance has also been improved with new tires which have been specially optimized for this package. They are characterized by a compound that helps to allow even more effective grip for better road holding combined with excellent ease of control."

 

The second part....

"The front tires are fitted on modular rims with increased rigidity and a larger track. This improves axle performance which facilitates turn-in.
These results are achieved through both mechanical and software changes: Lower suspension (10mm) New magnetorheologically controlled suspension calibration for the Manettino
SPORT and RACE configurations More rigid suspension springs (front + 16%, rear + 10%) More rigid rear antiroll bars (diameter increased to 24.5 mm) Tires with improved compound Modular rims with reduced weight and special new design
The kit also adds a strong styling component: the 20” modular rims with new design and finishing treatment. The rims have a forged flange to benefit weight. The design of the spokes is highlighted by a diamond surface treatment with a technical matte transparent trim called “Silver Corsa”.
The kit comes with the complete installation manual."

 

is there a different offset on the HGTE wheels?
what is it?