The Bologna Motor Show
has seen the unveiling of an evolution of the extreme,
non-homologated sports berlinetta, the 599XX Evo, which
is leads out a line-up of Prancing Horse race winners on
its stand. Ferrari
has introduced a package of performance-enhancing
technical features available to clients participating in
the track-based research and development programme for
the 2012-2013 seasons.
Already the fruit of the very finest Ferrari road car
and Formula 1-derived technology, the 599XX now features
improved chassis dynamics thanks to an active
aerodynamic package integrated with the vehicles’
electronic control systems, and the adoption of new
Pirelli tyres. The car is also more powerful than before
(750 CV) and weighs 35 kg less.
The key to the aero package is the active rear wing
design which represents a new aerodynamic concept called
‘opening gap’. The wing features two flaps, with
profiles similar to those used in Formula 1, which
rotate electronically to adjust the downforce between
the front and rear axles in function of vehicle speed
and the manoeuvre being effected. The result of this
concept is better performance in cornering.
The 599XX active rear wing is actuated automatically
according to specific parameters which are integrated
with the car’s other control functions (ESP, ABS, SCM
and F1-Trac). As a result of this integration, all the
electronic controls have been suitably recalibrated. The
‘opening gap’ system logic is based on the following
parameters: steering wheel angle, longitudinal
acceleration, lateral acceleration and vehicle speed.
The new aerodynamics package for the 599XX also includes
a modified front splitter and a new rear diffuser
featuring a larger surface area and redesigned fences
and foot-plates. Total downforce at 200 km/h is boosted
to 330 kg when the flaps are open and 440 kg in the
closed configuration.
The adoption of side exhausts allowed the engineers to
increase engine power by 20 CV to 750 CV (again at 9000
rpm), while maximum torque has been increased to 700 Nm.
When combined with a final gear ratio that’s slightly
shorter to improve acceleration on technical, medium- to
high-speed tracks, the result is that the car laps
Fiorano in just 1’15”.
The Ferrari stand at the Bologna Motor Show is devoted
entirely to its racing activities and features the 458
Challenge, the mid-rear V8 berlinetta derived from the
458 Italia and Ferrari’s fifth model for its single-make
championship. This series, now in its 19th year, will
span three continents – Europe, North America and
Asia-Pacific.
Also on the stand is the 458 Italia GT2 fielded by AF
Corse. This is the car that won the Drivers’ and Teams’
title in the Le Mans Series and the Teams’ title in the
Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, and also contributed to
Ferrari’s taking the Manufacturers’ title in the
respective championships. The line-up of track-only
Prancing Horse models is completed by the 458 Italia GT3
which made a superb FIA GT3 debut by winning the
Drivers’ title, and the FXX, Ferrari’s “laboratory” car
and one of the most technologically advanced
non-competitive models in the world.
Yesterday the show hosted three events featuring
the Prancing Horse, two of which saw no less than
16 cars from the Italian and European Ferrari Challenge
Trofeo Pirelli series taking part in the traditional
end-of-year challenge.
The extensive programme planned for the competition
arena culminated in the traditional Scuderia Ferrari
salute with an exhibition of the F10, the single-seater
with which Ferrari competed in the 2010 Formula 1
season. The car had a very special guest driver on
this occasion: Giancarlo Fisichella.
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