The first photos and details of the Ferrari 599 GTO have today been released which Ferrari boasts as its “fastest road car ever”.

The exclusive limited edition special has been inspired by the Ferrari 599 production car but is in fact based on the 599XX – Ferrari’s advanced experimental track car.

A strictly limited run of just 599 examples of the Ferrari 599 GTO will be produced and demand is sure to exceed supply having set a lap time of one minute and 24 seconds at the Fiorano test circuit – slightly faster than the Ferrari Enzo and Ferrari 430 Scuderia.

The Ferrari 599 GTO uses a 6.0-litre V12 engine which churns out 500kW at 8250rpm and peak torque of 620Nm at 6500rpm, mated to a F1-style six-speed transmission resulting in a power-to-weight ratio of just 2.23 kg/hp.

But sheer power is only part of the equation, with Ferrari using the same principles it as employed in F1 to shed the dry weight of the car to just 1495kg.

The performance figures are equally astounding, launching from zero to 100km/h in just 3.35 seconds and on to a top speed of 335km/h.

The most significant innovation introduced with the Ferrari 599 GTO is the close correlation between the chassis set-up, which is close to the handling limit, and the input from the electronic controls which are developed to increase overall levels of performance.

Maranello’s engineers also added new springs, a stiffer rear anti-roll and the second generation magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM2) – the result being an almost complete absence of understeer and a truly communicative chassis.

The Ferrari 599 GTO is equipped with the latest, second-generation carbon-ceramic brakes by Brembo which are lighter and offer better performance along with new aerodynamics and improved brake cooling.

It rides on specially designed Supersport tyres developed by Michelin measuring 9.5 inches at the front and 11.5 inches at the back – all of which forms a complete stopping package which sees the Ferrari 599 GTO brake from 100 to zero km/h in just 32.5 metres.

Like a true race car, the car-driver interface has been enhanced to deliver full control over the vehicles behaviour featuring a Virtual Race Engineer system that monitors the status of the car, with the in-car entertainment replaced by CT-Off (traction control off).

The public debut of the 599 GTO will instead be at the Beijing International Motor Show at the end of April.