Photos of topless super-models parading around sun-drenched southern Europe -- the paparazzi never tire of snapping them, we never tire of seeing them, and like so many celebrity gossip magazines, here at Autoblog we never tire of running them. Take, for example, this particular Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano spotted now for the second time sashaying around Italy with its top half off. Not only is the regular car a rare treat to behold, but this one lets slip the promise of something more.
Although it hasn't appeared completely topless, this test vehicle is wearing an ill-fitting roof that suggests it may show the way for an upcoming convertible 599. That could mean a soft-top like the F430 Spider, a folding hard-top like the California or a rotating flip-top like that featured on the 575M-based Superamerica. Meanwhile, it could also mean a "regular production" model or a rare special edition for the Italian automaker. With the California just making its debut, the 16M Scuderia Spider just around the corner and the initial batch of spy shots just hitting the web, we asked the people at Ferrari what they were working on. Their response was that they're testing a lot of different ideas and that nothing had been given the green light (yet), so we'll just have to hold on and hope the higher-ups get out their stamps of approval.
For some Ferrari faithful, every prancing horse that comes out of the factory should be painted in red. Yellow, black, blue and grey are just plain heretical, and perhaps that's why some of the purest Ferraris, the F40 and 288 GTO, were only offered in red. Well, if anything but Rosso Corsa bothers you, then this particular Ferrari will give you the shivers. We can't imagine what inspired this Saudi Arabian Ferrari owner to chrome his 599 GTB Fiorano, but it definitely reflects his personality. We also have to wonder if it helps keep the car cooler in the hot sun. No matter his reasoning, he's guaranteed himself plenty of looks.
Say what you will about Edo and the things it does to supercars, but you've got to hand it to them: it takes a lot of nether-regional fortitude to try and improve on the most finely honed and intricately developed performance machines. The latest results of Edo's endeavors is the 630 Scuderia.
Although you wouldn't recognize it from the name, the 630 Scuderia is based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. Using Edo's existing 630 GTB – whose engine more closely resembles the high-strung unit from the FXX than the "stock" 599's Enzo-derived powerplant – and upgrades it with a new aerodynamic kit designed to optimize the cooling and airflow around the vehicle. There's a sharply-styled front end with bigger vents that help cool the brakes, with an integrated lip spoiler increasing downforce. Underneath and around back, a new aerodynamic undertray and widened six-blade diffuser help optimize stability, aided by the new side skirts. All the components are made from carbon fiber, cutting curb weight down by 110 lbs.
Check out the images in the gallery below – and the press release after the jump – to make up your own mind: stylish and functional enhancement or sacrilegious defilement?
OK, we've seen some of their previous work so we probably shouldn't have expected much more this time around, but when we heard that Mansory had gotten its hands on an SLR and a Ferrari 599 GTB, we certainly hoped that it would figure out a way to enhance their gotta-have-it quotients. Alas, our prayers went unanswered. Done up in a matte gold and black combo, the SLR looks a bit toy-like, but it should manage to sell in the single digits at least. Which digit you choose to count the sales is up to you. The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano had actually been criticized in some camps for being a bit too evocative of the Chevrolet Corvette when it was first shown. The Mansory edition done up in white and carbon fiber looks even more Vette-like to our eyes. Thoughts of a ZR1 or the recent 427 special edition Z06 leapt to mind. There was also a Phantom in the booth, but quite honestly, doing something outrageous to a Roller just doesn't offend us as badly. Take a look at the gallery and let us know if you agree. We've already heard from at least one other journo who happened to be winding his way down the road towards us that the 599 looks seriously racy and that we are dead wrong about it. We'll let you decide for yourselves. Click away.
