The new extreme version of the 599 GTB Fiorano, which is set to revive the legendary GTO name tag, has broken cover testing around Maranello as this new limited edition model, which draws on the advanced technology of the 599 XX track "laboratory" car, counts down to its debut.

The new extreme version of the 599 GTB Fiorano, which is set to revive the legendary GTO name tag, has broken cover testing around Maranello as this new limited edition model, which draws on the advanced technology of the 599 XX track "laboratory" car, counts down to its debut.

The 599 GTO will revive one of the most evocative of all Prancing Horse name tags: GTO  (with "O" standing for Omologazione, and a tag last used almost exactly quarter of a century ago to denote the Group B compliant racing version of the 308 GTB, the 288 GTO of which less than 300 examples were built between 1984 and 1986.

Ferrari has kept the wraps tightly on the 599 GTO project and in fact its existence was only confirmed earlier this month by Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa on a visit to Australia to inaugurate a new Ferrari-Maserati dealership in Sydney. No technical information has leaked out but it will incorporate some of the technology seen on the 599 XX a "laboratory" racing car that will replace the FXX in Maranello Corse Clienti line-up, a track machine that will provide feedback to the development engineers at the factory, thus turning its customers into test drivers. The 599 XX sees power raised to 690 bhp through a higher rev limit of 9,000 rpm and weight cut by the incorporation of lightweight materials.

The same principles could see the 599 GTB's engine, which is derived from the Enzo supercar, once in GTO specification with its power raised towards 700 bhp. Visually there will be much more aggressive bodywork, with new front and rear bumpers, jutting side skirts, a black painted roof, and alloy wheels taken from the 599 XX. There will also be a new air vent behind the rear wheels which draws inspiration from the 288 GTO, as well as a bigger rear splitter, while inside the cockpit there will be new racing style seats and greater use of carbon fibre to assist the overall weight reduction.

Ferrari hopes that the 599 GTO will give a boost to sales of the 599 GTB Fiorano. Introduced in late 2006 to replace the 575 M Maranello, the 599 GTB Fiorano (it draws its name from its 5999cc engine displacement) was highly-acclaimed by the media with 620 bhp power at 7,600 rpm and 608 Nm of torque but has failed to capture the attention of buyers and the 2+2 seater berlinetta sales have slowed to a trickle. While the order book for the V8-engined California has surged ahead and the new V8 458 Italia has created a buzz unlike that of any Ferrari model for many years, Maranello has had less success in selling its front-mounted, V12-engined models in decent numbers with the 612 Scaglietti in particular struggling to make it out of the showrooms. This is despite the 599 GTB Fiorano having an astonishing 103 bhp/litre, a first for a normally-aspirated engine of this capacity, and a 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. The 599 GTB Fiorano can also hit 330 km/h.

Last year the 599 GTB Fiorano was given a boost with the arrival of the well-regarded HGTE (Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) package. The handling kit included lowered suspension (10mm); new magnetorheologically controlled suspension calibration for the steering wheel Manettino SPORT and RACE configurations; more rigid suspension springs (front + 17 percent, rear + 15 percent); more rigid rear anti-roll bars (diameter increased to 25mm); HGTE specific tyres with improved compound (8 percent more grip) and 3-piece modular rims with reduced weight (forged spokes) and special new design. It is also available as a retro-fit on previous models. This went hand-on-hand with a new performance kit that included new exhausts silencers with two-tone finished tailpipes; enhanced F1 gearshift actuation, with response times reduced to 85ms and new accelerator logic with modified mapping for improved throttle response.

Meanwhile the Geneva Motor Show next week will see the 599 GTB Fiorano even further in the spotlight with the presentation of a concept hybrid version. Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo confirmed at last month's launch of the new Formula 1 F10 single-seater that a hybrid would be shown at the Swiss Motor Show, while Amedeo Felisa added more information on his visit to Sydney at the beginning of this month. The test mule has been running for a year now, he said, and it will reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 25 percent. "We will present the new concept of the hybrid at Geneva. It will be based on the 599, but that doesn’t mean it will debut on that model. We have a plan to introduce on our cars new technology that will reduce consumption and emissions," added Felisa. "The next step is to apply the technology on Ferrari cars without changing the characteristics they are famous for."

Felisa revealed that the 599 hybrid will carry a 80 kg weight penalty due to the incorporation of the new "green" technology but that any production application is at least five years away. "The technology is not ready," he said. "The suppliers are not ready. Everything is underdeveloped. There is a lot of work to so. It is not for tomorrow. We haven’t decided when [it will be introduced]. It will be around that period [2015], but not before five years."