The Ferrari 599XX is the first ever ‘production-derived’ sports car to break the 7-minute barrier on the classic 20.832 km Nordschleife circuit, lapping in 6 min 58.16 sec.

The 599XX, which inspired the recently revealed 599 GTO, is an extreme berlinetta designed for track but not official competition use, and is a veritable technology lab incorporating a number of innovative solutions. Some of these will remain the exclusive preserve of the 599XX while others have already filtered down to the 599 GTO, introduced today at the Beijing Motor Show. These include the F1-derived wheel doughnuts which serve two purposes – to reduce turbulence and thus drag, and improve brake cooling.

Nürburgring photographer Tony Dewhurst witnessed Ferrari’s record attempt and describes the scene below;

At the end of the industry test day, I can only describe the noise as shock and awe as the Ferrari 599XX blipped past me in mid throttle.

The car only did 2 laps before the Touristen Fahrten on the 21-04-2010 but it is the fastest most planted car I have seen on the Nordschleife for some time.

If you look at the Ferrari Specs for the 599 XX it omniously says “Nürburgring Lap Time TBC” look’s like it will soon be told to the world.

Source: Pistonspy

Ferrari's 599 XX on it's way to set a record lap of the Nürburgring - Photo credit: Pistonspy

Powered by a development of the V12 engine used by the 599 GTB Fiorano, the 599XX features Ferrari’s High-Performance Dynamic Concept, a novel integrated design and chassis set-up that uses sophisticated electronics to govern the mechanical limits of the handling for maximum performance.

On the aerodynamics front, the car sees the introduction for the first time of the Actiflow™ System that increases downforce and/or cuts drag depending on the car’s trim during cornering. This, together with other careful detailing, ensures that the 599XX boasts extraordinary levels of downforce – up to 630 kg at 300 km/h.

Fundamental to the performance of the car was the development of specific components undertaken together with Ferrari’s technical partners, Brembo (carbon-ceramic brakes), Michelin (tyres) and Shell (fuel and lubricants).

Photo credits: Pistonspy (where named), otherwise Ferrari S.p.A

Photo: courtesy of Pistonspy
Photo: courtesy of Pistonspy
Seeing me, seeing you – Pistonspy snapper Tony Dewhurst gets his 15 milliseconds of fame as he captures the 599XX on its record lap
599 gtb 599XX Ferrari fiorano GTO Nurburgring record