599 [2006-2012] Ferrari Planning 599 Roadster For Pebble Beach???

[Merc1]

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance is one of the world's premier high-end car exhibitions and competitions, and though it's not a car show in the traditional sense, it has been the location for the debut of some of the world's most impressive cars, including the Bentley Mulsanne. Now it looks like Ferrari might add a rumored 599 roadster to the list at this year's event.

In a conversation with Autocar, Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo said the company will launch a convertible version of the 599 at the Pebble Beach show this August. The car will be a limited-production edition not unlike the previous 575 Superamerica, though the 599 won't likely to wear the Superamerica badge. Instead, expect something along the lines of "Italia" or "Fiorano." Of course, the coupe version's full name is 599 GTB Fiorano, so a roadster version would have to include some permutation on that theme.

The 599 roadster would be just one of a number of variations on the 599 platform of late, with the HY-KERS concept making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and the 599 GTO, based on the 599XX, revealed in April. It's expected to get a folding hardtop like the 2010 California and possibly a small horsepower boost to offset the added weight from structural bracing and the hardtop mechanism itself.

The 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance takes place on Sunday, August 15, though the week before will host an auction by Gooding & Company, a Tour presented by Rolex, and the RetroAuto show.


Ferrari Planning 599 Roadster For Pebble Beach? - MotorAuthority


I heard about this years ago, but nothing since. Hmmm...it would be nice, but I don't see it having a hardtop. Soft canvas top only IMO, otherwise the Cali would take a hit in sales.


M

 

[Merc1]

Ferrari is set to launch an open-top 599 in August at the Pebble Beach concourse in California.

Described by Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo as a ‘roadster’, the new car will be sold in limited numbers in the same vein as the company’s previous open-top V12, the 575 Superamerica launched in 2005 with a folding-metal roof and a 25bhp power hike over the standard model to counteract its extra weight.

It’s not yet known whether the open 599 will have a similar roof or more grunt, but di Montezemolo told Autocar that it’s unlikey to have the Superamerica monicker. "It will have an emotional, romantic name such as Italia or Fiorano," he admitted.

He also confirmed that the new car would not be shown at a traditional motorshow. Instead prospective customers will get a private viewing of the car at Ferrari’s HQ in Maranello.

The company is also known to be putting the finishing touches to a Spider version of the new 458 Italia which is expected next year. However anyone expecting a hardcore Scuderia version of the 458 is going to have to wait a while longer, according to Ferrari’s boss.

"We have no intention to do Scuderia version of the 458 yet. It would be difficult to do it better," said di Montezemolo.

Further into the future he also admitted that a replacement for the four-seat 612 Scaglietti is being planned. "We’ve always had clients for such a car and we want to maintain a V12 2 + 2. So we are thinking of something for the future," he said.


Open Ferrari 599 - first details - Autocar.co.uk


M

 

[Centurion]

Interesting. Must be hard to be a 599 fan though, so many exclusive editions being pumped out every year. I wonder if Ferrari will go down the four door route with the 612 successor. There is no denying that four door coupes are hot and that earning potential will multiply if two doors are added. I don't see anything negative in two doors if performance will be on par with other two seaters. Just look at how the Panamera is spanking the butts or other moreo powerful and lighter two seaters.

I doubt it will be a two seater as Maserati would probably not be too happy about it. The Quattroporte have already been relegated to a luxury saloon by the panamera which is much more of a sports sedan, and a four door Ferarri would simply be more salt on the wound.