Geneva 2011: Novitec Rosso Supercharges the Ferrari 599 GTO to 888 Ponies

Ferrari's most exclusive and powerful series production model, the 599 GTO, doesn't seem fast enough for the aftermarket specialists at Novitec Rosso. This is why the tuning house brought to Geneva Motor Show the 599 GTO Bi-Kompressor, their own version of the Prancing Horse's fastest car.

As the name suggests, Novitec Rosso engineers fitted the naturally-aspirated V12 engine with two superchargers, raising the maximum output from 670 to 888 horsepower. The impressive increase in power can only be rivaled by that of the maximum torque, which goes up from 620 Nm/6,500 rpm (457 lb-ft) to 860 Nm/6,600 (636 lb-ft).

However, the boost in performance is not mind-blowing (compared to the regular model, that is) : the 0 to 100 km/h sprint is 0.15 seconds faster at 3,2 seconds, while top speed is slightly higher at 340 km/h (211 mph). The Novitec Rosso Bi-Kompressor also sprints from 0 to 200 km/h (124 mph) in a 9.1 seconds.

Other technical changes include the fitting of sports springs (however silly that may sound on a 599 GTO) and superlight forged wheels, which are among the lightest of their kind in the world, according to Novitec. The 21-inch front wheels are 22.9 lbs each (10 kg), while each of the rear 22-inch rims weighs 30.4 lbs (13.8 kg). A useful feature devised by Novitec for buyers who like to use their GTO's around town is the front-axle lift function that raises the front of the car by 40 mm to avoid hitting speed-bumps.

As for the exterior, the car shown in Geneva wears a special silver paint with yellow cross stripe on the bonnet and white patches on the doors, as a tribute to the Ferrari 250 GTO that won the Tour de France in 1964. Other changes include yellow brake calipers and blacked out taillights, third brake light, rear fog lamp and side markers.

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Ferrari 599 GTB Handling GTE Sport Kit now available as Aftermarket Package

Leaving no stone unturned in order to make a buck or two, Ferrari is now offering its recently launched Handling GTE (Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) sport package for the 599 GTB Fiorano also as a genuine aftermarket kit to existing owners of the V12 supercar. Depending on the customer's specific requirements and the age of vehicle, buyers can choose between two available packages.

According to Ferrari UK, the first HGTE pack is for pre-2008 599 GTB Fiorano cars and costs £17,213 ($28,300 US or €21,000). It consists of handling modifications, an exhaust system and a styling upgrades.

The second package, which is for post-2008 models equipped with the F1 transmission, is priced at £19,703 ($32,400 or €23,000) and comes with an additional performance kit. Mind you none of the above prices include VAT.

HGTE PACKAGE SPECS

1) Handling, includes:

• Lower suspension (10mm)
  
• New magnetorheologically controlled suspension calibration for the Manettino SPORT and RACE configurations
  
• More rigid suspension springs (front + 17%, rear + 15%)
  
• More rigid rear anti-roll bars (diameter increased to 25mm)
  
• HGTE specific tyres with improved compound (8% more grip)
  
• 3-piece modular rims with reduced weight (forged spokes) and special new design
  

2) Performance (only available for post-2008 cars, from engine no. 122779), includes:

• New exhausts silencers with two-tone finish tailpipes
  
• Enhanced F1 gearshift actuation, with response times reduced to 85ms
  
• New accelerator logic with modified mapping for improved throttle response
  

N.B. The Performance kit cannot be installed on cars with manual gearboxes.

3) Exhaust, includes:

• New exhausts silencers with two-tone finish tailpipes
  

The Exhaust kit is designed for:

• vehicles that cannot receive the software updates listed in the Performance kit since the engine was produced before assembly number 122779 (pre-2008)
  
• all cars with manual gearboxes
  
• clients who are only interested in modifying the styling and sound of their own cars
  

N.B. The Exhaust kit is included in the Performance kit, for cars post-2008.

4) Aesthetic, includes:

• New design front grille with a special chromatic treatment
  
• Burnished finish to Prancing Horse symbols on the front grill and rear boot lid
  

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VIDEO: Ferrari Scuderia Spider, California and 599 GTB HGTE Tackle the Goodwood Hill Climb

One of the most popular events at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed is the Sunday Times Supercar Run which sees some of the fastest and most powerful cars in the world race up the 1.16 mile hill climb. At this year's run that was completed on Sunday, June 5, Ferrari showcased three of its latest supercars - the limited run 510HP F430 Scuderia Spider 16M, the new California hardtop-convertible that's moved by a 460HP V8 and the 599 GTB Fiorano equipped with the HGTE sport package.

Below you can watch all three Prancing Horse models at the Sunday Times Supercar Run through an inboard video camera while we've also added an additional "over-the-shoulder" film of the California. According to the Italian sports car maker, the Scuderia Spider 16M was the fastest of the bunch completing the Goodwood hill climb in just 59 seconds.

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Agnelli Grandson's Haute Couture Ferrari 599 GTB Blue-Jean Edition

When you're an heir to the Agnelli and Fiat fortune, you can have whatever car you want customized to your own personal - even bizarre- tastes. Take for example this Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano that is said to be owned by Lapo Elkann, the son of Alain Elkann, the writer, and Gianni Agnelli's daughter Margherita. The one-off Ferrari features a special two-tone matte paint job as well as a unique interior trim.

But while we can overlook the 599's unique paint scheme that combines a flat aqua color for the body with a flat dark blue finish for the rooftop, exterior mirrors, alloy wheels and the rear apron - diffuser, there's something definitely wrong with the interior. It's one thing seeing a blue-jean denim upholstery in a Fiat Panda and another in a high-performance and exclusive supercar like the 599.

Lapo, besides being uber-wealthy and constantly featured in gossip columns for his playboy lifestyle, also made world headlines in 2005 after a drug overdose with some middle-aged cross-dressers in a Turin apartment.

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