Ferrari 599 GTB

The 599GTB can rightly claim to be one of the world's best-ever supercars. Simply amazing in so many ways, it's Ferrari at its very best.

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On the road price: £171,825
For : Sensational performance, brilliant handling, styling, Enzo engine, detailing
Against : Prohibitively expensive, two-year waiting list

Driving:
Powered by the 6.0-litre V12 that debuted in the Enzo supercar, the 599GTB offers an incredible 620bhp and 608Nm of torque. The 0-60mph sprint takes only 3.5 seconds and top speed is claimed to be 205mph. Quite simply, the 599's performance is sensational, and closely threatens the Enzo's! The noise it makes is the perfect backdrop to such savage acceleration as well. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard, but 90 per cent of 599s will be delivered with the new F1 Superfast six-speed sequential manual with steering-wheel paddles. Bringing the 599 closer to Ferrari's Grand Prix cars, every change feels very precise and smooth, and barely interrupt the power delivery. What's more, the road manners are equally impressive, and work to flatter the driver rather than intimidate them. That's partly down to the traction control set-up, called F1 Trac. Meanwhile, the electronic dampers and suspension give the 599 unprecedented levels of grip and stability, and there's no shortage of comfort.

Marketplace:
Only a couple of years ago, it was reckoned the average Ferrari did a mere 6,000 miles annually. This has been growing steadily; the 599's predecessor, the 575M, claimed to cover 8,000 - and Ferrari expect the 599 to push this up further. But there's no doubt that while Ferrari's in rude health, the once-empty market it called its own is under attack from all sides. Bugatti, McLaren Mercedes, Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini and Aston Martin - even Rolls-Royce and Maybach - all are fighting for the same set of customers. That's why the 599 had to be such a benchmark car.

Owning:
You only have to catch a glimpse of the sensational 599 GTB Fiorano to know that it is a Ferrari. Not only is it one of the fastest motors money can buy, there's no doubt that in the style stakes as well, Ferrari still rules. The curving lines offer some great details. We particularly like the rear flying buttresses, which not only give the design depth, but improve the aerodynamics, too. But it's not just the look that makes the Ferrari body special. The aluminium panels weigh a mere 1,690kg. The weight advantage adds to the performance, and promises to improve the handling as well. Inside, the two-seat cabin mixes Ferrari's now traditional blend of metal, carbon fibre and leather to offer real style and luxury, and within the instrument panel there's a mix of traditional analogue dials and an electronic display screen - which even records lap times! Of course, the list price is heady, fuel economy barely reaches double figures and running costs will be prohibitive. Owning the 599 will not be cheap. But a two-year waiting list proves that for some lucky buyers, such concerns just don't figure. Besides, the 599 is a simply awesome machine; it puts Ferrari back at the top of the supercar tree.