New Fazza flagship on sale

FERRARI'S new range-topper is now officially on sale in Australia, following the announcement of pricing for the all-new 599 GTB Fiorano - the first example of which is due to arrive in time for October's Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

Launched recently in Europe, the 456kW 5.99-litre (hence the name) V12-powered 599 takes over from its 550 and 575M Maranello predecessors and is already a sell-out in both Australia and New Zealand for 2006, while 2007 stocks are also mostly accounted for.

Built using the latest evolution of Ferrari's all-aluminium body and chassis to deliver a weight/power ratio of just 2.6kg per horsepower, the two-seater 599 coupe employs F1 technology to blast to 100km/h in a claimed 3.7 seconds and to a top speed of more than 330km/h.

This performance doesn't come cheaply, however. The basic 599 GTB Fiorano manual - claimed to be the most powerful V12-engined production car of all time - carries a pricetag of $574,000 ($3000 less than the 545M), while "F1 Superfast" transmission versions are priced at $600,000.

"It should come as no surprise that months before any details of the 599 GTB Fiorano were available there were already customers wishing to own this exceptional car," said general manager for Ferrari in Australia and New Zealand, Kevin Wall.

"It is, after all a new range-topping Ferrari and that means it will be an outstanding car that will be the benchmark against which all others are judged. Now that we have the details, now that we have driven the 599 GTB Fiorano and seen what it is capable of, we know that even by Ferrari's unique standards, this car is extraordinary and given its breadth and depth of abilities, quite possibly, the best Ferrari ever produced.

"There is no doubt that demand for the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano will far exceed supply."