Car of the Day - Ferrari 599 HGTE

Car of the Day - Ferrari 599 HGTE



Ferrari took their 599GTB, a car many felt was already close to perfection, and improved it. Launched at Geneva in March 2009 the 599 HGTE is both a new model in the illustrious line of Ferrari front -engined V12’s, and an upgrade package for those lucky enough to already own a 599GTB.

The HGTE (Handling GT Evoluzione ) is aimed at..... the driver who demands the most in dynamic driving and driver feedback with a sporting edge. As the name suggests the changes and upgrades centre around handling and driver feedback, however their have been numerous tweaks to the engine and transmission electronics as well. Shift speeds have been further improved (reduced to 85ms) and engine electronics settings have been refined to balance with the new change times to improve accelerator response and therefore acceleration times..

On the handling front the changes have included stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar. Calibration of the magnetorheological shock absorbers in the sportier settings of “SPORT” and “RACE” of the manettino have been balanced with the other changes to allow sharper cornering.

The ride height has been lowered by 10mm which considerably impacts the car’s centre of gravity. The stiffer springs and anti-roll bars (now 25mm diameter) increase suspension rigidity by 17% at the front and 15% at the rear. New three piece modular wheels with forged spokes are lighter and when combined with new tyres specifically balanced to the suspension provide 8% more grip and reduce un-sprung weight.
The 599 has received several visual changes as well. In the cockpit there is new leather, black Alcantara® and carbon-fibre trim
The carbon-fibre seats are trimmed in leather with black Alcantara® inserts and the seat backs expose the carbon-fibre as a visual effect.. “Handling GTE”. is embroidered on the headrest with the Prancing Horse.

Externally the new 20” split-rim wheels feature with their diamond-cut and matte silver finish. The matte black rear diffuser highlights the new chrome exhaust pipes. To further distinguish the HGTE there is a new design for the front grille with a chromatic treatment and burnished Prancing Horse.

To top off the changes the silencer has been aurally tuned to make the Ferrari V12 sound even more exciting....

Rod