Ferrari to Introduce 599 HGTE and 599XX in Geneva Next Week

And just why should we care about a new Ferrari coming out in such dire economic times? Well, maybe because the super car of super car brands is

one of the only carmakers making money these days, and then there's the sheer joy of distracting ourselves away from les miserables news.

Entertainment value high, the prancing horse brand will introduce two new variations on the 599 GTB Fiorano theme in Geneva next week, the first being the 599 HGTE, short for Handling GT Evoluzione. Yes, most would think the regular 599 would handle fairly well as it is, but the Handling GTE Package will make the car that much better according to Ferrari's press release. Unfortunately, that's about all they said, so expect more on this car after it debuts next week.

The second car up for the Geneva introduction will be the much anticipated 599XX, what Ferrari refers to as its rolling “laboratorio tecnologico”. Created for “a select group of clients,” this technological laboratory “incorporates the most advanced technologies resulting from Ferrari's road-going and F1 research,” so expect some truly special additions that Ferrari is keeping mum about until March 3rd. How new are these features? According to Ferrari, “Many of the technological solutions it carries are being used for the first time and have been developed

exclusively for this special car.” Hmmm... we're curious. Ferrari did something similar with its Enzo, creating the FXX, so the new 599XX should be worthy of a full review when it debuts.

Ferrari Chairman Luca di Montezemolo will be on hand to introduce the two cars, next to a full lineup of models available for Geneva show-goers to enjoy. And no, the upcoming F430 replacement, the F450, won't be available as far as we can tell. Expect the 500-plus horsepower mid-engine exotic sometime later this year, probably in Frankfurt. Instead, the Ferrari stand will include a Scuderia Spider 16M painted in Grigio Titanio, the 430 Scuderia in Rosso Corsa, a Ferrari California in Nero Metallizzato with a Sabbia interior and a 612 Scaglietti. The 612 will be on display in the Atelier, a dedicated area that will allow owners to experience what Ferrari refers to its “virtually endless personalization options” on offer.

The two new cars will be featured in red, of course, the 599 HGTE in a new three-layer metallic Rosso and the 599XX in a red hue that fittingly matches the F2008 Formula 1 car. And you'll be able to see how well Ferrari did mixing the color as one of its 16th Constructors' World title winning cars will be on display, if you were concerned the booth would be lacking in pizzazz.