The 'official' image of the 600 GTO
Are we soon to see another bespoke Italian supercar? Following on from the Enzo-based P4/5 built last year by Pininfarina, and the recent Zagato one-off Maserati Coupe, there are rumours doing the rounds on the web of a Ferrari 599-based car.
According to an American forum post, the CAD image below has been leaked from the design studio and subsequently authorised, and the actual photo image (right) is the first official glimpse of the car. There’s no official word on which design house is carrying out the project, although some sources are quoting Pininfarina once again.
Apparently, the car gains a new carbon fibre body to reduce weight, and there are further weight loss measures inside. Although Air con, leather and a stereo will remain, the loss is projected at 285kg.
The changes to the 599’s styling are described as ‘subtle’ and apparently ‘meld the ovoid grilles of past models with modern F1 design cues’. The aerodynamic changes apparently add 26% extra frontal and 23% extra rear downforce at 120mph.
The car – dubbed ‘600 GTO’ – was apparently commissioned as one of three cars from a North American customer some nine months ago. The original forum post runs with the rumour that this owner wishes to revive the NART name (North American Racing Team – founded by Ferrari importer Luigi Chinetti in 1958 and entrant in some of the worlds major motor races for many decades) for the purposes of a racing championship dedicated to the new car if enough are made.
We’ll await further news before reporting any more, but the car is expected to be unveiled on September 12th at the Frankfurt Auto Show.