Ferrari 599 GTO (2011)

The name, “GTO” (Gran Turismo Omologata) instantly calls to mind two Ferraris that have entered the collective imagination as symbols of performance. After the 1962 250 GTO, which swept the boards in GT racing categories in the 1960s and is now a highly prized collector's car, came the iconic 1984 288 GTO, which pretty much invented the entire modern supercar genre. The 599 GTO is the most recent GTO. Ferrari has only given this name to 3 cars and each GTO was based on a circuit car - the 599 GTO was based on the 599 GTB Fiorano chassis but is essentially the road-going version of the 599XX track car.

The 599 GTO weighs 100 kg less than the standard GTB by a severe diet in a similar manner to other recent Ferrari lightweight models such as the 430 Scuderia. The 599 GTO is visually aggressive thanks to styling elements derived from the 599XX - but it's not all for show. Thanks to concepts transferred from the track car to the road-going version, the GTO generates downforce of 144 kg at 200 km/h. The entire car has received design revisions over the standard GTB including the front, the sides, the flat underbody and the cooling flows. In the latter instance, the GTO can count on improved ducting to the brake discs and pads, and the adoption of wheel doughnuts – a disc positioned outside the brake disc that ensures that hot air exiting the wheel arch stays as close to the body of the car as possible to reduce drag; again a feature borrowed straight from the FXX.

When produced in 2011 Ferrari announced that the 599 GTO was their fastest road car ever, able to lap the Fiorano test circuit in 1 minute 24 seconds, one second faster than the Ferrari Enzo. Its engine produces a staggering 661 bhp at 8250 rpm, with 460 lb-ft of torque at 6500 rpm. The 599 GTO can sprint to 62 mph in under 3.35 seconds whilst easily reaching a top speed of over 208 mph.

Preceded and prompted by huge demand for the ‘One-to-One’ program on the 612, Ferrari had developed the concept for bespoke specifications and, at the time of the launch of the GTO, Ferrari opened their first 'Tailor Made' centre in Maranello. Early Tailor Made examples were not badged as such but were still open to a wealth of extended personalisation options out of reach of the majority.

The 599 GTO had been made available exclusively to VIP customers, and allocation of the 599-unit production run was oversubscribed and sold out immediately. From this list of customers, however, there was of course, still an order of importance. As such, only a handful of cars received ‘Tailor Made’ customisation.

This is one such example to benefit from the program. Supplied new to its first owner by Cornes Ferrari Japan, this 599 GTO is uniquely specified in the supremely elegant and sporting Extra- Campionario Blu Ghibli Cup, a colour that pays tribute to the Blu Francia livery of the limited-run Maserati Ghibli Cup built during the 1990s. An original owner of once such example, the Ghibli Cup had been created at the hands of Luca di Montezomolo in 1995, from the ageing BiTurbo and developed a staggering 330bhp from its 2.0 V6 engine, the most powerful 2.0 litre of its time.

Inside, the car is lavishly appointed with Extra-Campionario blue-tinted carbon fibre. Extremely rare to see on a 599 GTO, the dashboard inserts, steering wheel and driver zone LED surround, F1 gearbox paddles, seats and door inserts all see these coloured carbon fibre inserts. This 599 GTO features a lesser-seen body-coloured roof and no livery to detract from the timeless Pininfarina lines.

The seats are finished in Extra-Campionario Blu Scuro leather with Blu Scuro Alcantara inserts, unusually borrowing the seat pattern from the 458 Italia launched in 2011 with Grigio Chiaro stitching. The roof lining, steering wheel and upper dashboard all feature this fantastic extra range colour. Blu Scuro seatbelts complete the interior.

Unusually for a GTO, privacy glass wasn’t ordered and as such makes full use of the almost greenhouse-like window shape of the 599 to bring light into the cabin. Likewise, the wheels on this car are a bright, ball polished finish with details in silver, somewhat unbelievably one of the rarest options on a GTO through the Tailor Made program and very clear how demand has changed in the 10 years since its launch.

Further to the Extra-Campionario options, this example benefits from Rear parking sensors, Bianco rev counter, Giallo brake callipers and satellite navigation. With UK registration in process, this incredible, unique and wholly unrepeatable Ferrari 599 GTO is available to view by appointment at our showrooms outside London immediately. Presenting with just 3,450 miles and accompanied by its original bookpack and Classiche Certification, this example is on the button, ready to be enjoyed.