2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Ferrari Tames a Beast

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano's otherworldly power and performance are tempered by comfort, refinement and reliability proven over 20,000 miles of trans-continental travel.

Interior

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano’s cabin is both luxurious and businesslike, laden with handcrafted leather, aluminum and carbon fiber trim. The racy steering wheel, adorned with its prancing horse emblem, features a red start button and the critical “manettino.” This toggle switch adjusts the suspension, engine and stability/traction-control systems for various driving conditions, from snow and ice to “sport” and “race” modes. Those settings are shown on an electronic display beside the huge tachometer and speedometer.

Perhaps the most tempting button is the launch control, which lets you hold the brake, rev the engine and then release for a dramatic tire-smoking launch. Racing seats feature huge adjustable bolsters for hips and torso, with cutouts to install optional four-point racing harnesses. They’re firm and snug, yet proved quite comfortable on our all-day drive. A quilted or diamond pattern can be ordered for the seats.

The interior doesn’t feel cramped for a sports car. There’s room for some light luggage behind the seats.

The standard audio system is the usual Italian-car letdown, with a CD player/radio that looks, feels and sounds like a cheap aftermarket unit. Certainly listening to music is a distant second to the sounds from the audiophile-quality V12, but is it too much to ask that a nearly $300,000 car offer the kind of quality system you get in a $30,000 Acura?

More satisfying is the Ferrari’s enormous range of personalization features, everything from colors and leathers to bespoke luggage. Among the clever options is a carbon-fiber steering wheel with an integreated LED display.