2012 Ferrari 599XX Evoluzione Coupé
Chassis no. ZFF69PXX000188894

The fabulous and exclusive Ferrari supercar offered here represents the ultimate high-performance derivative of the 599 GTB Fiorano: the 599XX Evoluzione, a competition derived track car intended for VIP customers only. As such, the Evoluzione was Ferrari's latest venture in its highly successful 'Corse Clienti' product development programme.

Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in February 2006, the 599 GTB Fiorano took its name from Ferrari's famous test track and was the latest in a succession of models named after places associated with the marque such as Modena and Maranello. Its immediate predecessor - the 575 Maranello - had met with a mixed reception, disappointing those that had so admired the 550 Maranello, so Ferrari had some catching up to do in designing the 599.

Having favoured the mid-engined layout for its 12-cylinder road cars from the mid-1970s to the late 1990s, Ferrari had surprised everyone when it introduced the 550 Maranello. The latter's arrival in 1997 saw the Italian manufacturer return to its tradition of building front-engined V12 two-seater sports cars, resurrecting a line that had remained dormant since the demise of the 365GTB/4 'Daytona' in 1974. The 599 was the latest in this noble line that stretched all the way back to the 250GT SWB of the early 1960s. In designing the 599, Ferrari abandoned the tubular steel chassis of the 550/575, adopting a more advanced and lighter all-aluminium chassis of greatly increased stiffness. Styled by Pininfarina under the direction of Ferrari's Frank Stephenson, the 599 with its long bonnet, small cabin, raised haunches and aggressive stance seemed the very definition of the term 'sports car'. The body's aerodynamics were developed in the wind tunnel, where hours of testing ensured that the minimum of drag was combined with constant downforce regardless of set up, an important consideration in a 200mph road car. Styling details such as the front brake ducts and hot air outlets behind the front wheelarches recalled the great competizione Ferraris of the past while the tail incorporated Ferrari's characteristic twin circular lights.

The heart of any Ferrari is its engine, and the 599's 48-valve, 6.0-litre V12 was a reworked version of that found in the Enzo supercar. As installed in the 599, this state-of-the-art unit produced a staggering 612bhp at 7,600rpm with maximum torque of 448lb/ft at 5,600 revs. Weighing a claimed 1,690kg, the 599 has a power-to-weight ratio of 362bhp per tonne, far eclipsing the 291bhp/tonne of its 575 Maranello predecessor. Developed as part of Ferrari's Formula 1 programme, the paddle shift gearbox had become a feature of its range-topping sports cars and was available in its latest form for the 599, capable of changing gear in a mere 100 milliseconds. A conventional six-speed gearbox was available also.

Although active suspension had long been banned form Formula 1, its development for road cars had continued and the 599 came equipped with SCM magnetorheological 'semi-active' dampers. The latter's damping fluid changes in viscosity almost instantaneously when a magnetic field is applied, thereby altering the suspension characteristics. Damper controls were placed on the Formula 1-style steering wheel together with those for traction control and stability, as was the starter button. The 599's fortunate driver would find him/herself looking at a central analogue rev counter flanked by a similar speedometer and an electronic display screen for all other functions. Ferrari thoughtfully provided plentiful storage space within the sumptuous leather-trimmed interior.

Even more exclusive, special-edition derivatives were not long in coming, commencing with HGTE (Handling Grand Tourer Evoluzione) which as its name suggests brought with it a revised, more sporting suspension package. This was followed by the 599XX, a more powerful, stripped down model intended solely for track use although, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, air conditioning was retained. Weight was reduced by employing a greater proportion of composite and carbon fibre body parts while the engine, with its rev limit raised to 9,000rpm, now produced 720bhp. A revised gearshift reduced the change time still further. The aerodynamics were altered to produced increased downforce, employing a rear wing, F1-style diffuser and twin electric fans in the boot to suck air from beneath the car. When applied to the 599XX's aerodynamics, the phrase 'state of the art' was no exaggeration.

The 599XX was introduced at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show and the following year Ferrari was able to announce that one had lapped the Nordschleife circuit at the Nürburgring in 6 minutes 58.16 seconds, the fastest time ever achieved by a production-based sports car and quicker than the mid-engined Enzo. The 599XX's driver, Rafffaele de Simone, commented: 'We were pleased that this car turned out to be far more driveable than the Enzo FXX.' Ferrari went on to build 29 599XXs, which their fortunate owners – or 'client development drivers' in factory parlance - were invited to enter in 18 special 'Corse Clienti' non-competitive track events worldwide.

Aware that for some customers too much is never enough, Ferrari took the 599 concept a stage further, announcing the 599XX Evoluzione at the Bologna Motor Show in December 2011. The Evoluzione weighed 35kg (77lbs) less than the 599XX and was more powerful still, producing 740bhp, while the rear wing became active, Formula 1-style. Indeed, there are few out-and-out competition cars that incorporate such advanced technology and stupendous performance as the 599XX Evoluzione. For an additional $250,000, existing 599XX owners could have their cars upgraded to this enhanced specification.

Un-raced and with delivery mileage only, the car we offer represents a possibly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire one of these ultra-rare Corse Clienti Ferraris.

This lot is subject to 20% VAT on the hammer price.