GRR

Video: A reminder of the 599XX’s terrifying speed

29th July 2020
Laura Thomson

We bet you’ve seen a few ‘record setting’ ‘Ring laps by now. Heck, we’ve seen more than we’ve had press cars. But while many claim speed at the ‘Green Hell’, few can actually live up to the record breaking task. Luckily, we’ve found the real deal – a Ferrari 599XX taking on the classic 20.832km Nordschleife, and breaking the symbolic seven-minute barrier in the process.

On 21st April 2010, the fearsome Ferrari completed a lap in just 6m 58.16s, becoming the fastest non-road legal model (derived from a production car) in the circuit’s history. Driven by Ferrari factory GT Development Driver Raffaele de Simone the 599XX made 730PS and weighed 1,345kg in its record-setting configuration. 

Inspired by the then-new 599 GTO and powered by an uprated version of the 599 GTB Fiorano’s V12 engine, the 599XX was a lab guinea-pig with which Ferrari pushed its own technological boundaries, and the second car to join the Ferrari ‘XX’ programme. Not approved for competition racing, and in that way not too dissimilar from the Pagani Zonda R, it featured innovative components, including F1-derived wheel doughnuts (look it up – it’s a real thing) to improve brake cooling and aerodynamic efficiency, plus the ‘High Performance Dynamic Concept system’, designed to optimise management of the mechanical set-up and electronic controls for enhanced responsiveness. Meanwhile, the aerodynamic Actiflow System made its Ferrari debut, working to increase the vertical load (up to 630kg at 186mph) and reduce drag.

In short, the 599XX was a monster, and this lap was monstrous.

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: Two minutes straight of FOS burnouts

  • Elevenses

  • Video

  • Nurburgring

  • Ferrari

  • 599

  • 599XX

  • Onboard

Shop the latest layers essentials in the Motor Circuit Collection

Shop Now
ferrari-599xx-nurburgring-lap-record-goodwood-29072020.jpg

Historic

Video: A reminder of the 599XX’s terrifying speed

29th July 2020

ferrari_599xxevo_spa_video_goodwood_02052024_list.jpg

Modern

Video: Onboard Ferrari 599XX Evo screaming round Spa

02nd May

ferrari-599-drift-car-video-goodwood-07092020.jpg

Modern

Video: This Ferrari 599 drift car is silly but we love it

07th September 2020

elevenses-history-of-monza.jpg

Formula 1

Video: Ride onboard through the many forms of Monza

07th May

porsche-918-spyder-nordschleife.jpg

News

Video: Onboard the 918 Spyder’s brutal Nürburgring lap record

06th April 2022

corvette_z06_nurburgring_goodwood_12062023_list.jpg

News

Video: Onboard a Corvette Z06 attacking the Nürburgring

12th June 2023

elevenses-nsx-vs-nsx-nurburgring.jpg

Historic

Video: NSX R vs. NSX R at the Nürburgring is all kinds of awesome

06th October 2022

kevin-estre-porsche-911-gt3-rs-nurburgring-onboard-video-13122021.jpg

News

Video: Wild 911 GT3 RS Nürburgring onboard

27th December 2021