First shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009, the 599 XX is a stripped-out, aero-clad competition-style car with a pure racing cockpit and more power (700 hp) than the standard car. Last year the 599 XX joined the Enzo-based FXX in Ferrari Corse Clienti's "XX" track initiative programme that sees pilots take part in free and untimed track sessions, with the data fed back to Maranello to assist in the development of new products. The 599 XX has recently kicked off its second year in the track programme.

The particular 599 XX offered for sale via James List is currently located at a Ferrari dealership in France and is priced at 1 million euros excluding taxes or at 1,315,000 including taxes. The one-owner "2010 Model Year" car is also listed as having 1,500 km on the clock.

According to Ferrari the 599XX incorporates advanced technologies resulting from its road-going and F1 research. Many of the technological solutions this car carries were being used for the first time and have been developed exclusively for the 599 XX. While based on the 599 GTB Fiorano with the same transaxle layout and engine type, this is however an extreme track car. Ferrari's engineers carried out extensive work on the V12 engine's combustion chambers and inlet and exhaust tracts. These modifications, combined with the fact that internal attrition was reduced and the maximum revs boosted up to 9,000 rpm, helped Ferrari's engineers achieve the target power output of 700 hp at 9,000 rpm.

Particular attention was also paid to cutting the weight of the engine's components. This was achieved both by optimising forms - as in the new crankshaft - and adopting exclusive materials, as in the carbon-fibre used for the intake plenums. A new gearbox shift strategy also cut overall gearchange times to 60 ms.

The 599XX is characterised by an electronic concept called the "High Performance Dynamic Concept" which was designed to get the maximum performance from the car by managing the combination of the car's mechanical limits with the potential of its electronic controls. The mechanical and electronic systems work together to get the maximum performance from the car under extremely high performance driving, for consistent lap times. The sporty handling was improved thanks to the adoption of second generation SCM suspension system. Track usage was also made easier thanks to the new "virtual car engineer", a screen in the car that provides a real-time indication of the vehicle's efficiency.

The 599XX's aerodynamics were developed in numerous wind tunnel test sessions with the result that it boasts 280 kg of downforce at 200 km/h and 630 kg at 300 km/h. The front underside of the body is completely faired-in and the outlet vents that channel hot air from the engine bay have been moved onto the bonnet.

The "Actiflow" system increases downforce and/or cuts drag depending on the car's trim cornering conditions, courtesy of the use of a porous material in the diffuser and two fans in the boot which channel the air flow from under the car out through two grilles next to the tail-lights. Winglets were added to the rear buttresses to increase downforce while synthetic jets were incorporated into the rear of the car to control and smooth the air flow and to reduce drag. Ferrari's engineers also used F1-derived "doughnuts" which partly cover the brake discs and wheel rims. These have the dual function of improving both aerodynamics and brake cooling.

In terms of the bodywork, composites and carbon-fibre were widely used for this project and the engineers drew on their experience in working with aluminium to reach the weight target. The development of increasingly high-performance materials also benefited the carbon-ceramic material braking system. The brake pads are made from carbon-fibre which means that the calipers are smaller whilst guaranteeing the same efficiency. The new racing carbon ceramic braking system also delivers shorter braking distances and is generally more efficient due to the weight saving. The 599XX comes with slick tyres (29/67 R19 Front and 31/71 R19 Rear) specifically developed to maximise stability in cornering and increase lateral acceleration. They are fitted to 19 x 11J wheel rims at the front and to 19 x 12J rims at the rear.