Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano Faces F40 in Factory Video Showdown
Ferrari released a video pitting its 599 GTB Fiorano against the legendary F40, highlighting the evolution from raw analogue performance to modern electronic control.
Ferrari has set its 599 GTB Fiorano against the iconic F40 in a factory-produced video, aiming to highlight the progress made by its road cars since the 1980s. The film, released in late 2011, shows the two supercars on track, contrasting the raw, turbocharged brutality of the F40 with the refined, electronically managed power of the 599.
The F40, launched in 1987, was Ferrari’s answer to the supercar arms race and the last car signed off by Enzo Ferrari himself. Its 2.9-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produced 478hp, sent through a five-speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels. With a kerb weight of around 1,100kg, the F40 could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 324 km/h. It offered no traction control, no ABS and little in the way of driver aids, relying on lightness and mechanical grip.
By contrast, the 599 GTB Fiorano, introduced in 2006, represents the modern Ferrari approach. Its 6.0-litre V12 delivers 620hp and 608Nm, with either a six-speed manual or the F1 SuperFast automated manual. The Fiorano sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and claims a top speed above 330 km/h. Braking is another area where technology tells: Ferrari’s figures show the 599 stopping from 100 km/h in just 33 metres, compared to 45.7 metres for the F40. Electronic stability and traction control systems help keep the 599’s power manageable on the limit.
Old-school aggression meets modern control
The video’s track footage emphasises the character difference. The F40’s turbo lag, stiff ride and unfiltered noise contrast with the 599’s smoother delivery and stability under power. Ferrari’s message is clear: while the F40’s reputation is built on its challenging, visceral driving experience, the 599 GTB Fiorano delivers greater performance with far more usability, thanks to the transfer of Formula One-derived technology into its road cars.
For collectors and enthusiasts, the F40 remains a high-water mark for analogue supercars. Only 1,315 units were built, and values have soared well beyond the original $400,000 price tag. The 599, meanwhile, was Ferrari’s flagship grand tourer for its generation, setting the stage for successors such as the F12 Berlinetta.
Technical comparison: F40 vs 599 GTB Fiorano
| Model | Engine | Power | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | Braking (100–0 km/h) | Traction control |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferrari F40 | 2.9L twin-turbo V8 | 478hp | 4.1s | 324 km/h | 45.7m | No |
| 599 GTB Fiorano | 6.0L V12 | 620hp | 3.7s | >330 km/h | 33m | Yes |
Ferrari’s video underlines how far supercar technology has come in two decades, but also the enduring appeal of both approaches. The F40’s uncompromising focus still draws enthusiasts, while the 599 GTB Fiorano’s blend of power and electronic control points to the direction of modern high-performance engineering.
For more on Ferrari’s V12 lineage and how the brand’s technology has evolved, see our coverage of the Ferrari F150 Hybrid Supercar to Succeed Enzo with V12 and KERS.
