Ferrari to revive GTO name

Ferrari is set to return the evocative GTO (Gran Turismo Omolagato) name to its lineup on a limited-edition, two-seat version of the F599 Fiorano GTB.

The new car, conceived to run bodywork and mechanical components from the Italian carmaker's race-bound 599XX, is expected to make its public debut at the Paris motor show in September--marking the first time the GTO badge has been applied to one of Ferrari's road cars since the launch of the much-revered 288 GTO in 1984.

Among the changes brought to the new car is a series of carbon-fiber exterior panels, a stripped-out interior and specially developed alloy wheels--all aimed at lowering the weight by 132 pounds from the 3,718 pounds of the F599 Fiorano GTB.

At the heart of the upcoming F599 Fiorano GTO is a powered-up version of Ferrari's latest 48-valve, 6.0-liter V12 engine. Power for the front-engine car unit is said to be about 650 hp, about 30 hp more than the F599 Fiorano GTB. That would put it just 10 hp shy of Ferrari's most extreme road car, the Enzo.

Maranello insiders hint the new car may also receive a beefed-up version of the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox used in the F458 Italia, in place of the F599 Fiorano GTB's six-speed automated-sequential-manual unit. We expect 0-to-60-mph acceleration in less than 3.5 seconds and a top speed of more than 210 mph. To cope with the added performance potential, Ferrari reworked the F599 Fiorano GTB's aerodynamics with changes to the air flow up front and the addition of an altered diffuser element at the rear to enhance high-speed stability.

The F599 Fiorano GTO will also receive a heavily reworked suspension that sits it closer to the road and with a slightly wider track than that of the F599 Fiorano GTB. Other likely changes include carbon-ceramic brakes and unique calibrations for the steering-wheel-mounted Manettino that provides the driver with the ability to manually adjust the traction- and stability-control systems.

As with the original 250 GTO, the new F599 Fiorano GTO will be used to homologate parts for Ferrari's racing program.

By Greg Kable