VIDEO: Ferrari 599 GTO Prototype Shows Some Muscle on the Fiorano Race Track

A prototype model of the Ferrari 599 covered in black cladding has been snagged on film during testing at the Fiorano circuit. We're not entirely sure if it's a test mule for a replacement of the 599 or an updated version of the current model, possibly featuring Ferrari's upcoming KERS energy-recovery system which was first shown on the Geneva Salon HY-KERS hybrid concept.

In any case, the vented hood and the styling of the bumpers point towards a prototype based on the 670-horsepower 599 GTO, which was introduced into the range this past April, with some minor changes such as the California-esque LED headlamps. Watch the video right after the jump.

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Youtube/Marchettino

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Road test:Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE (2009-) Review

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano won rave reviews in mid-2006, but to keep the car at the top of the exotic GT class the Italian company is now offering it with an optional handling pack and minor cosmetic changes for your £200,000 outlay.

Performance from the headline 620bhp Enzo-derived engine is unchanged. with 0-125mph achieved in 11 seconds, but work - mainly on reducing internal friction - on the engine has reduced CO2 emissions and improved overall fuel consumption from a scary 13.2mpg to slightly more socially acceptable 15.7mpg.



The real goal though was to make it an even sportier, faster-reacting car but not too much at the expense of ride comfort.


Wider front wheels, a new rubber mix from Pirelli for the PZero tyres, new calibrations for the suspension dampers and a 10mm drop in ride height to lower the 599s centre of gravity are the main changes.


Roll stiffness, up 19%, and pitch by 16% together with a faster (85milliseconds) paddle gearchange make the HGTE pack car 0.6 seconds quicker around Ferrari's Fiorano test track than the 'standard model.


Prices for the Ferrari 599 GTB equipped with the HGTE pack start from £207,194.