Ferrari 599XX sets new Nurburgring record

[alfagtv100 (Biggus)]

http://uk.autoblog.com/2010/04/23/ferrari-599xx-sets-new-nurburgring-record/
The Ferrari 599 has been the focus of some discussion recently – the GTO version that was recently announced has already sold out, and now the 599XX has set a new lap record at the famous German racetrack, the Nurburgring.

In fact Ferrari says it is the first production-derived sports to break the seven minute barrier at the 20.832km Nordschleife circuit – it completed the lap in just 6 minutes 58.16 seconds.

There is always a niggling fear that awesome supercars could prove to be all style and no substance, but this result should dispel that. Although only 29 examples of the £1.2m supercar will be made, it was the inspiration for the 599 GTO and lots of the technology will filter down to the road-going car.

This technology includes something called 'wheel doughnuts', which are apparently derived from the F1 car, and serve to reduce turbulence and drag, and increase brake cooling.

The XX is powered by a development of a V12 engine that Ferrari uses in the 599 GTB Fiorano, and as it took it around the 'ring in an average speed in excess of 110mph, it seems to work rather well.

[alfagtv100 (Biggus)]

Da lap on da Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJj8atDGBzk

[Brad M]

I wonder if it was running slicks.

In the Top Gear episode where Schui pretended he was the Stig after recording the fastest lap of their track, in the Fxx they took the time down as it was running slicks ... unlike the rest of the cars.

[Frank Musco]

I could listen to that engine all day long.

I'm not wondering what engine it has or how many gears and so on, what I really want to know is how you get a job where you go around breaking lap records in the latest supercar.

[L4OMEO]

It was running slicks.

[Evan Bottcher]

For me this just makes the Nissan GTRs lap time all the more extraordinary - 20 something odd seconds slower, and only because he stopped to pick up the milk on the way back.

[L4OMEO]

True. At least you could fit some milk in the Dat ... err, Nissan 

But .... I remember when Top Gear took an R34 GTR to the 'Ring, and using the same driver and the actual car Nissan had used to set a time, he couldn't get within around 20 seconds of Nissan's claim. Frankly, who knows what's done to these 'production' vehicles in the interests of posting a good (ie marketable) number.

[Sheldon McIntosh]

I just wonder why Ferrari conveniently forgets the Radical SR8, which did a time 10 seconds faster.  On road-legal tyres.  And it drove to the track from England, did the lap, then drove back on the same set of tyres.

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Is that a cock and balls in the background of the pic in the first post?

[Evan Bottcher]

Heh - I saw that sniffpetrol tweet too.  Yes, I do believe it is!

[k76]

Yes, that is fast ok. But production derived sports, since when was that a category?

Anyway, as far as sound goes it's got nothing on good ol' F40 LM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQHxw69kOFM

[alfagtv152]

WOW,
After watching that I think it has less suspension than a Go Kart.Watching the Driver the seat flexes and shakes,he looks like Mister Bobble Head!,but Awesome footage.
Cheers
Andrew

[alfagtv100 (Biggus)]

Is that a cock and balls in the background of the pic in the first post?

Let it be said, when it comes to cocks and balls, you know your stuff mate.

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Excellent Video of Pagani beating the Ferraris time.  Watch it in HD and full-screen.

[aggie57]

Excellent Video of Pagani beating the Ferraris time.  Watch it in HD and full-screen.

Brilliant!