the affluent page magazine presents: untamed stallion

8/7/2019 The Affluent Page Magazine Presents: Untamed Stallion

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The late Enzo Ferrari is widely quoted as saying that the best Ferrari is thenext one, and indeed, the limited edition Ferrari 599 GTO embodies that philosophy in both design

and performance. There are many ways to define the best of anything, but if you use the fastest lap

times for a street car on Ferraris Fiorano test track as a measure, the GTO now wears the crown. It is the

latest in a long line of so-called traditional 12-cylinder, front-engine Ferraris that date to the earliest

days of the company in the late 1940s.

This ultimate Ferrari is essentially a street version of the extremely limited 599XX advanced

experimental track car, according to Ferrari CEO Amadeo Felisa. He explains through translation in

the companys launch video that the companys goal with the GTO is to construct a front-engine car

that nobody will ever be able to equal in performance. And it looks as if they hit their target, because

the GTO happens to be the fastest road car ever made by Ferraribesting even the legendary Enzo

Ferrari supercar.

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The significance ofthis amazing car extends to the GTO name.

According to Ferrari, the car is inspired by

the 599 GTB, which set a lofty standard. The

GT designation stands for Gran Turismo

(Grand Touring) and represents the ultimate inbeauty, luxury, and comfort, while the B (in

GTB) stands for Berlinetta (coupe) body style.

The O in the newest version is forOmologata,

which refers to the historical homologation

racing requirementthat a certain number of

street versions of a race car had to satisfy in order

to compete on the track. These Omologata cars

were typically the top performers in Ferraris

lineup, as the 599 GTO is today.

Ferrari engineers combined traditional

techniques (like higher power and lower

weight) with advanced electronics and refined

aerodynamics to create the ultimate street car.

If greater horsepower leads to happier drivers,

then 599 GTO owners are sure to be among

the happiest in the world. Engineers took the

Enzo-derived 5.99-liter V12 from the GTB and

wrung out an additional 52 horsepowerfor an

impressive 670hp at 8,250 rpmand mated it to

their latest and most complex F1 gearbox, which

can rip shifts in a mere 60 milliseconds. They used

composites and other lighter-weight materials to

shave nearly 200 pounds from the GTB body in

several areas, including the greenhouse (cabin),

brakes, body panels, transmission, and even theexhaust system, resulting in a curb weight of

3,538 pounds. Aerodynamics, chassis tuning,

and electronics that help keep the car handling

on the very edge of adhesion round out the

package. Even tires and brakes were included in

the makeover.

Its not as though the GTB is a performance

slouch. In fact, it offers one of the most

incredible driving experiences of any car on the

road, with massive acceleration, a prodigious

grip for cornering, and incredible braking,

all enhanced by the magical cacophony of

12 cylinders screaming under the hood. But

Maranello has upped the performance ante by

a noticeable margin.

According to Ferrari, the GTO can thunder

to 62 mph in a mere 3.35 seconds (about half

a second quicker than the GTB), with a top

speed of 208 mphdefinite supercar territory.

And it hits these performance marks in a

package that is as much rolling artwork as it is

an engineering marvel.

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Ferrari engineers combined traditional techniques (like

higher power and lower weight) with advanced electronics and

refined aerodynamics to create the ultimate street car.

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Speaking of engineers,the car includes a Virtual Race Engineer system that feedsdrivers real-time performance and status data on a dashboard computer screen. Ferrari didnt release many

other details of the interior other than enhanced paddle shifters that are larger and constructed of carbon fiber.

However, a price sheet reportedly leaked on the Internet shows all manner of aluminum, carbon fiber, Alcantara,

and leather choices, as well as some GTO-specific options, including a roll bar and historic GTO stripes.

With the GTO, Ferrari has created an exclusive vehicle that is likely to be an instant collectible. Estimates fora $500k list price may be moot, because sources say production is limited to 599 total units, and if you arent

already on the handpicked buyer list at the factory, you will probably have to work your dealer and broker

contacts to chase the rare vehicle that makes it to the resale market. For years, the legendary Enzo sold at the

million-dollar mark and higher, even with a list price in the $600k range. The similarity of the GTO styling to

the GTB and absence of over-the-top looks may keep prices from reaching the million-dollar mark, but look

for the GTO value to linger at lofty heights driven by the market for years to come, as Ferrari collectors and

aficionados around the world fight to add this latest cavallino to their stable.

CEO Felisa, says Ferrari wants to build a vehicle that will always be remembered in the history of our cars,

and it seems they have succeeded...at least until they make the next one.

Ferrari, www.ferrari.com, 201.816.2600

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the affluent page magazine presents: untamed stallion

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