The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano was a landmark car in Ferrari’s history, boasting a V-12 based on that of the Ferrari Enzo and different direction in styling from the 550 and 575 Maranellos that preceded it. This was the first series-production Ferrari that could out-perform the iconic F40, allowing Ferrari customers to enjoy truly extraordinary levels of performance alongside the luxury one expected from the company’s flagship grand tourer.

Raising the bar over the already exceptional 599 GTB would be no easy task. Developed directly from the track-only 599XX, the 599 GTO benefited from innovative technology refined through motorsport to make numerous improvements in performance. A plethora of changes were made to enhance the car’s aerodynamics and cooling, including fitting new front and rear diffusers and a new rear spoiler. These changes were more than just skin deep, and power was raised to 670 horsepower at 8,250 rpm, with an updated six-speed automated manual gearbox that could change gear in 60 milliseconds—40 milliseconds faster than the standard 599 GTB. Even the car’s traction control system was revised to reduce understeer and maximize responsiveness. Capable of reaching 100 km/h from a standstill in just over three seconds, this was the fastest accelerating street-legal Ferrari at the time of its unveiling.

Within the scope of 599 GTO production, consisting of 599 cars worldwide, it is thought that just over one hundred were built to right-hand-drive specifications, with only a handful of those delivered new to Hong Kong, including the example presented here. Finished in the 599’s iconic two-tone launch specification of Rosso Corsa over a Grigio Silverstone Opaco roof, it was built for the 2010 model year and first registered in Hong Kong when new in January 2011, and has remained there ever since, having been purchased by its second and current owner in May 2011.

Inside, the car is trimmed in Nero Alcantara with the seldom seen ‘3D fabric’ inserts in Nero and Rosso. Further interior options include brake calipers in aluminum finish, rear parking sensors, carbon fibre door sills, fully electric seats, four-point racing harnesses in Rosso, satellite navigation, iPod connection, Rosso stitching, and a Giallo tachometer. Since delivery, the car has been driven just under 16,200 km from new.

Providing a far rawer driving experience than the F12tdf or 812 Competizione that followed in its footsteps, the 599 GTO is considered by many to be one of the great driver’s Ferraris of our time. Although fine-tuned for performance, 599 GTOs are still eminently usable cars with copious boot space, easily used over long distances. This example, one of only a handful delivered new to Hong Kong, could be easily used and enjoyed at a moment’s notice and would sit proudly within any collection of modern Ferraris.