When the 599 GTB was unveiled to the public at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, it was the first all-new Ferrari grand touring car in over 10 years and marked a significant shift in design for the brand. Penned by American designer Jason Castriota, the 599 GTB was shaped heavily with aerodynamics in mind, shirking many of the throwback design cues from the previous 550 Maranello and 575M. The unique flying buttresses “sail panels'' on the side of the rear windows, create downforce and negate the need for a rear wing on the car. Under the hood of the 599 GTB sits a variant of the F140 V12, originally designed for the Enzo hypercar, this engine produces in excess of 100 horsepower/liter and makes an outstanding noise- with a bassy growl at idle those crescendos into a high-pitched shriek as you approach the 8,400 rpm redline.
This 599 GTB was first sold in Virginia and currently shows 16,050 miles. Finished in beautiful Nero Daytona Over Black leather, this Ferrari benefits from nearly $60,000 in factory options and is presented in very good condition overall. The first thing that you notice when looking at the car is that the original wheels have been replaced by a set of matte black 5-spoke units produced by CEC Wheels, measuring 21” in front and 22” in the rear. These update the look of the car and highlight the optional $18,550 carbon ceramic brakes behind them with their bright red calipers. Scuderia Shields were optioned on the front fenders which look great on this otherwise all-black car and the front end has been wrapped in paint protection film to keep it looking good over the years of driving.
On the inside, everything is covered in black leather with white contrast stitching throughout. The Recaro-designed bucket seats offer great support on curvy roads but are also comfortable for longer hauls and are equipped with full power adjustability and Daytona inserts. Extensive interior carbon fiber was optioned on this car, adding more than $11,000 to the original MSRP. This includes carbon trim on the dashboard, steering wheel, and center tunnel. Behind the seats sits the 599 GTB’s capacious luggage shelf which, in this example, has been fitted with beautiful black leather and white diamond quilted stitching. A Bose Hi-Fi sound system was also fitted which has both factory navigation and iPod integration so you can enjoy your favorite music while undertaking some grand touring.
The V12 under the hood of the 599 GTB is an all-aluminum 6.0-liter unit that produces 612 horsepower and 448 lb-ft of torque. When combined with the 6-Speed F1 gearbox found in this example, the 599 can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and has a top speed of over 205 mph. For the first time in a Ferrari GT car, the 599 utilizes an all-aluminum chassis which offers greater rigidity than the previous 575M, yet also allows the car to be nearly 100 lbs lighter than its predecessor even with its larger overall dimensions. Damping is handled by magnetorheological semi-active dampers which allows instantaneous switching between a firm, track-oriented ride or a smoother, touring suspension.
The Ferrari 599 GTB represents a turning point for the Ferrari V12 Grand Tourer- moving away from the comfortable cruisers of its past and towards a more dynamic driving experience that is still seen in the company’s products today. In the current market, 599s represent an excellent value thanks to their usability, performance, and comfort and this example with its long list of options and great color combination, would be a wonderful addition to any garage.
