Geneva show: Ferrari set to reveal successor to 599

FERRARI will next Wednesday unveil its V12-powered successor to the 599 – which the Prancing Horse brand claims will be its most powerful road car ever.

Overseas reports indicate the Italian marque’s new flagship will be called the 620 GT, and that it will be powered by a version of the 6.3-litre V12 from the new FF with circa-700 horsepower (522kW).

In comparison, the 599’s 6.0-litre V12 produced 456kW in standard guise or 500kW in the ultra-exclusive 599 GTO edition, while the brand’s Enzo hypercar from the early 2000s had 485kW.

Earlier his week Ferrari released a teaser video showing the heavily-disguised ‘620’ being put through its paces at the Fiorano circuit by Formula One drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa.

The footage seems to show paddle shifters behind the steering wheel, which would indicate the fire-breathing engine will be matched to the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission also used in the FF.

Whether the new model will use the patented 4RM all-wheel-drive all-wheel-drive layout from the FF or stick with the 599’s rear-drive configuration is yet to be seen.

The car is also likely to utilise some of the weight-saving and aerodynamic enhancements achieved on the blistering 599XX research and development track car show at the Bologna motor show last December (see separate story linked below).

An official teaser shot shows the 620 will feature similar long and low proportions to its 599 predecessor, albeit with a simpler and cleaner character line running across its flanks.

The car in the shot sits on large five-spoke wheels, with a prominent silver prancing horse logo fitted low on the large front grille.

The tagline at the end of the clip simply reads: “A new era of extreme V12 cars dawns.” We will bring you more information when it emerges out of Europe next week on February 29.