OPULENCE AND PERFORMANCE

2007 Ferrari 599 GTB F1

$199,500

The 599 is an unholy fast, gorgeous, comfortable, refined, forgiving, and well-mannered classic.

This model in particular is one of the most sought-after exotic vehicles on the market. The powerplant in this superbly presented 2007 599 F1 is based on the same 48-valve, 6.0-litre V-12 in the limited-edition, mid-engine Enzo and produces a blistering 612 horsepower at 7600 rpm, just 39 down from the almighty Enzo.

Select from six tightly spaced gears using the F1-superfast transmission paddles, or let the computer shift for you in automatic mode. The transmission in the 599 is Ferrari's first-ever use of Grand Prix–inspired F1-superfast technology in a road car, reducing total shift time down to 100 milliseconds.

Weight distribution is rear-biased (47/53), due to the shoved back engine and transaxle, with 85 per cent of the Fiorano’s girth captured between the wheels. This combined with Delphi-developed magnetorheological shocks, altering shock damping in as little as one millisecond, the 599 offers epic performance. ‘Magnetorheological’? A fluid that changes viscosity according to magnetic field strength.

The 599 was also the first Ferrari road car to feature F1-trac, an enhanced traction-control system previously seen only on the company's single-seaters.

The performance claimed by Ferrari is still impressive compared with the supercars of today.

• 0–100 km/h in 3.2 seconds

• 0–200 km/h in 11.0 seconds

• Top speed: over 330kph

This Ferrari GTB F1 is offered in the best colour combination of Rossa Cosa, tan leather, and black carpets with star rims. It’s exactly like the one on the sales brochure, manuals, and on the scale model. An appreciating classic and a desirable piece of automotive art.