The Ferrari 599XX is the first ever production-derived sports car to break the 7-minute barrier on the classic 20.832 km Nordschleife circuit, lapping in 6 min 58.16 sec.
The 599XX, which inspired the 599 GTO, is an extreme berlinetta designed for track but not official competition use, and is a veritable technological laboratory incorporating a number of innovative solutions.Some of these will remain the exclusive preserve of the 599XX while others have already filtered down to the 599 GTO, introduced at the Beijing Motor Show. These include the wheel doughnuts of F1 derivation which serve two purposes – to reduce turbulence and thus drag, and improve brake cooling.
Powered by a development of the V12 engine used by the 599 GTB Fiorano, the 599XX features Ferrari’s High-Performance Dynamic Concept, a novel integrated design and chassis set-up that uses sophisticated electronics to govern the mechanical limits of the handling for maximum performance.
On the aerodynamics front, the car sees the introduction for the first time of the Actiflow™ System that increases downforce and/or cuts drag depending on the car’s trim during cornering. This, together with other careful detailing, ensures that the 599XX boasts extraordinary levels of downforce – up to 630 kg at 300 km/h.
Fundamental to the performance of the car was the development of specific components undertaken together with our technical partners: Brembo for the carbon-ceramic brakes, Michelin for the tyres and Shell for the fuel and lubricants.
Ferrari 599XX Sets Nurburgring Lap Record – Video and Photos
[Source: Ferrari SpA]
It seems curious that when Chevrolet shot some video of the Corvette ZR1 doing a lap of the Nurburgring it was done in-car. Why didn’t whoever did this video do the same? It would have been more satisfying if they had; it would laster a bit more than two minutes and change and been more conclusive.
In fairness, Ferrari produced such a video but we opted to put up the smaller version on the site. Here is a link to the in-car video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJj8atDGBzk
Even better than the Corvette video, especially the inset with the driver at work. . . and thanks.