While the focus of the world's motoring media has been firmly focused on the Big Sight in Tokyo, Ferrari has pulled a fast one by unveiling a new version of the 599 at the Bologna Motor Show. But hold your prancing horses before you rush off to grab your Black Card, as the new 599XX Evolution is one of the super rare, XX programme, track-only cars that a select few are invited to purchase.

The double X programme, first debuted with the Enzo-based XX, gives elite Ferrari customers the opportunity to participate in research and development by testing out the latest technologies at a host of Ferrari organised track events. The cars themselves are retained by the Italian car maker with each one assigned a team who prep and run the cars at the events. The new 599XX Evolution is the ultimate iteration of that programme boasting 740bhp, 516lb.ft of torque, a 35kg weight saving over the 'standard' 599XX and new active aerodynamics.

The key to the aerodynamics is the F1-derived rear wing, which features two flaps that rotate forward and back to adjust downforce depending on steering input, lateral g forces, acceleration and speed. At 124mph with the flaps open 330kg of downforce is pushing the 599XX Evolution into the tarmac. This is boosted to 440kg with the flaps closed.

The changes mean the 599XX Evolution can lap the Ferrari Fiorano test track in 1:15 seconds - one second quicker than the 599XX and 11 seconds quicker than the 599 road car.

Paul Healy - 1 Dec 2011