It was spotted my marchettino a couple of days ago testing. Possibly a test mule for the 599 successor? He said it had no ferrari badges, different led headlights,and raw front and rear air intakes,different exhaust, etc. What do you guys think? Video link down below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc_5t1buOcI&feature=player_embedded
Headlights look like California ones, probably just temporary although I'm sure the replacement will have LED lights of some sort. Also appears to have a double-clutch trans, this car is going to be crazy fast.
It sounds really beefy, it's got a full tone to it. I can't wait to see what comes of it, direct injection, dual clutch, and still 12 cylinders it sounds like. Awesome
Thanks for posting my video. The spot is not 2 days old, it's very fresh, i took the video this afternoon. I think this is one of the initial tests for the 599 replacement. When Ferrari made the first tests for the 458 they used the F430s with under the 458 mechanical components, maybe they're doing the same.
... Interesting. Car is equipped with DCT imo. Marchettinno ... whenever you post vids you have my full attention
Martin- Probably not the 612 replacement chassis, because that will have a considerably longer wheelbase than the 599, I think. 599 wheelbase 2750 mm, 612 wheelbase 2900 mm. 150 mm longer is a little less than 6" (5.91"). They sure are getting big. The Maranello only had a 2500 mm wheelbase and the 456 was 2600 mm and that is a 2+2. Taz Terry Phillips Image Unavailable, Please Login
There's no reason for that to be a 612 replacement. That test mule correspond to initial testing phase. When they test gearbox, engine and other important components on to the last car base. So the car looks like a old generation with minimal changes. At this step is this test mule for 599 successor. Next phase is the prototype car close to the real production car with as much new components as they can put in to test. It look like a heavy disguise camouflage car. In this phase was seen 612's successor. The last phase is a almost lane production car almost 100% the car that will be released. Few things will be changed from this point. It obvious look like a finished car with camo over its body. We probably see this tipe of car being 612 successor on the next period. The 599 successor will be for sure an evolution. just like the 575 was for the 550. More like a facelift. Im sure the car will be faster or close to 599 gto.
It's going to be the same story as 458 vs. Scuderia, the replacement will be faster in lap times and 0-60 etc.. but people will argue it's not as visceral and raw as the GTO/Scud. If no major breakthroughs occur in the near future I have a feeling Ferrari is going to hit a strange plateau where all cars will be too subdued and they will have to start taking steps backwards. I certainly hope that is not the case.
Ferrari already announced that the 599, unlike the Maranello, will not be facelifted/updated. It will be replaced by a completely different car at some point in 2012. They're going to have to adopt some interesting solutions in order to respect future emission standards. Chances are that they will use hybrid technology, DFI, start&stop, KERS etc...
The 612 replacement is due to show in March. It would be testing in a much more production ready guise at this stage. With the 458 we saw a huge number of "leaked" photos in the run up. With the 612 almost none. Is security suddenly that much better? Interest that much lower? Or is it just not part of Ferrari's marketing plan this time around to tease?
Carlo- I agree. The HGTE and GTO were the M versions of the 599. With production beginning in 2006, the car will be 7 years old by the time replacements start being delivered. Plus with a new engine with direct injection and a new transmission, I am betting they also follow the California and 458 lead with a multi-link rear suspension. So a new car is in the works. If they do to the engine what they did to the 458, a simplistic formula of 6.0/4.5 x 562 gives 749 hp. Leaves room for an M version later with 800 or so hp. Need that to keep up with Lamborghini. Taz Terry Phillips
It may indeed be an evolution and possibly as fast--at least nominally--but I guarantee it'll never be a "GTO"
As far as I can tell, this is a GTO body with a few modifications. Why do you guys think that this is a test mule for the 599 replacement?
because its sounds different, so both the engine and the gearbox changed. SO it has different engine and gearbox. Also the headlights are from california....... TrojanHorse@ Its just me but I think ferrari could build a better succesor for 599 than gto is.
They'll always be something faster--I've been around long enough to know that tru-ism--but better, that's a different animal! Surely faster, but is there something better than a 250 GTO? An Enzo? F40? Time will tell
Paul- Better car, sure. Better Ferrari, maybe not. Nothing makes a better Ferrari than a 250 GTO, except a 250 LM, but then I am prejudiced. GTO very easy to drive on the streets, LM a bit more requirement for skill using the dog clutch transmission. Taz Terry Phillips
Indeed but that is sometimes hard to relay to somebody who doesn't actually own and drive such a car (no intention to offend anybody with this statement)!!!! Yes, there will always be faster Ferrari's as time goes on but only a handful have that special feel, I tend to call it "soul" and that is what makes these cars truly special.
550/575, 599gtb,599gto, 599successor. Which one of this have more soul? Because the performance scale is for sure like the order I wrote them, but by soul...it may be opposite
Absolutely correct, this is a Mulotipo of the new F152, the 599 Fiorano replacement, testing new engine and transmission. Date of the new car (that I have red in a Ferrari purchasing office comunication towards suppliers) are: Process verification : August 2011 Pre-series : November 2011 Job1 : March 2012 If there will not be delay in the planning, I suppose first pictures of the car will be showed within next year. Cheer
