Ferrari, 599

The Ferrari 599 is a grand tourer (GT) produced by Italian sports car manufacturer Ferrari from 2006 to 2012. It was designed to replace the 575M Maranello and was officially presented at the 75th International Geneva Motor Show in March 2006.

Design and Features

The 599's design is characterized by its long, low-slung body, with a length of 4,845 mm (190.5 in) and a width of 1,900 mm (74.8 in). The car features a sleek, curvaceous profile with a prominent front grille, flanked by large air intakes that feed cool air to the engine. At the rear, the 599 boasts a distinctive "flying buttress" design, which provides additional structural support while minimizing visual clutter.

The interior is equally impressive, featuring premium leather upholstery, polished aluminum trim, and ergonomic seating for two occupants. The dashboard houses a comprehensive instrument cluster, complete with a large analog clock, a trip computer, and an audio system that supports CD, MP3, and USB playback.

Engine and Performance

The 599 is powered by Ferrari's iconic V12 engine, a 6.0-liter (366 cu in) unit producing 612 horsepower (456 kW) at 7,600 rpm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional semi-automatic "F1" paddle-shift gearbox, which provides lightning-fast gear changes and improved acceleration.

The 599 can accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 195 mph (314 km/h), making it one of the fastest production cars on the market at the time of its introduction.

Safety Features

To ensure occupant safety, the 599 features a comprehensive array of advanced safety systems, including:

• Dual-stage front airbags with side impact protection
• Side and curtain airbags for enhanced head and torso protection
• Electronic stability control (ESC) to prevent skidding or loss of traction
• Anti-lock braking system (ABS) to maintain wheel rotation during hard braking

Trim Levels and Variants

Over its production run, the 599 was offered in several trim levels and variants, including:

• Base model: The standard 599 GTB, available with a manual transmission and featuring a range of exterior colors
• "F1" model: A limited-edition variant with a semi-automatic transmission and distinctive styling cues
• HGTE (Handling GTO) package: An optional performance upgrade that adds revised suspension settings, aerodynamic enhancements, and improved engine mapping

Production Numbers

During its production run from 2006 to 2012, Ferrari produced approximately 3,315 units of the 599. The car was manufactured at the company's Maranello plant in Italy.

The Ferrari 599 is a testament to the marque's commitment to creating high-performance grand tourers that combine exceptional style, comfort, and performance. While its production run may have been relatively short-lived, the 599 remains a highly sought-after collector's item among enthusiasts and collectors of Italian sports cars.