Renderings and information circulating the internet over the past couple of days purport to reveal an exciting new project based around a specially-commissioned Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano version, which has been dubbed the 600 GTO.

This new project would appear to be latest ambitious venture which seeks to reinterpret Ferrari's cutting-edge sportscars, following closely on from the Ferrari P4/5 commissioned last year by collector Jim Glickenhaus which was based on the Enzo and developed by Pininfarina. Famous Italian design house Zagato have also turned its attention to the Maranello brand during the last year, creating the stylish Ferrari 575 GTZ, while Pininfarina also reworked a 612 Scaglietti in 2006.

Information being circulated in recent days suggests that project, which has been dubbed the 600 GTO, is being undertaken on behalf of a North American customer, who has asked for three examples to be built - with the machines being reputedly set for a race track destiny. It is suggested that the 600 GTO programme got underway last autumn.

Two studio images, a rendering and CAD drawing, reveal a modified Ferrari 599 GTB bodyshell which has reportedly been re-skinned in carbon fibre, helping the car towards an impressive 285 kg weight reduction (kerb weight of the 599 GTB is 1690kg), achieved with loosing the sound system, air-conditioning and leather seats.
 

The renderings reveal a reworked front end which has hints of the current fashion for F1-type styling cues, such as seen on the Enzo supercar, with its protruding nose lip and inward up-kicking spoiler. Deep bonnet slats and a raised central bonnet section area complete the visual changes immediately identifiable from the two renderings.

The new lower suspension arrangement together with the carbon-fibre bodywork has seen the 599's centre of gravity lowered. The revised aerodynamics contribute to downforce at 200 km/h being reportedly lowered by around 26 percent at the front and 23 percent at the rear.

It is being suggested that the 600 GTO project will be unveiled at the Frankfurt IAA in mid-September. It is also being rumoured that the owner could resurrect the famous NART (North American Race Team) name used by American Ferrari dealer Luigi Chinetti as well as a race series for the cars, if several are built as is being suggested.