The New Year is marked with the release of the stunning new Ferrari 599 GTB, dubbed the company's most powerful V12-engined production car yet. Weighing in with a mammoth 620bhp at 7600rpm, the result is an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 385bhp per tonne. Ferrari's Vice General Manager, Amedeo Felisa, announced the birth of the latest offering from Maranello at the 2006 Detroit Motor Show (though the car did not make it to the show) and promised it to be Ferrari's most innovative and technologically advanced supercar yet.

The 599 GTB replaces the last in that great line of Berlinettas, the 575M Maranello, of which over 5,700 have been sold; a record for this type of model for the Prancing Horse.

Underneath, the Ferrari 559 GTB uses the 6-litre V12 motor derived from the exclusive Enzo, the result being class-leading power. The bodywork and chassis use Ferrari's tried and tested all-aluminium construction technology to keep the weight down and torsional rigidity high. While aerodynamics have also been developed so that performance figures can reflect that mighty power output.

Pininfarina has once again worked its magic with the exterior styling which, while both aggressive and elegant, also incorporates features that point to a past pedigree of supercars. The Ferrari 599 GTB, using the V12 Berlinetta, is the latest in a theme that has seen classics such as the 250 GT, the 275 GTB and the 365 GTB4, not to mention the more recent Ferrari 550 and 575M.

Ferrari promises a new benchmark in driver involvement with the 599 GTB and with 620 prancing horses under the bonnet it may well come good on that promise. Expect more details in The Car Enthusiast's coverage of the Geneva Motor Show in March, where the Ferrari 599 GTB will be officially unveiled.

Paul Wilkinson - 16 Jan 2006