Ferrari: Welcome to the Evolution

The new 599's active rear wing will open and close according to acceleration, cornering forces and speed. Photo / Supplied

Ferrari's new 599XX Evolution is being billed as the ultimate 599 - but your chances of seeing one, let alone driving one, are slim-to-none.

The evolution of the 599XX is a track-only model developed by Ferrari for its wealthiest and most loyal customers.

If that car wasn't extreme enough, the Italian car-maker has liberated an extra 15kW from the 6-litre V12 to take the total to 552kW. Total weight has also been cut by 35kg.

A new active rear wing is linked to the car's electronic systems and will open and close according to acceleration, steering wheel angle, cornering forces and speed. Ferrari calls it "opening gap".

The wing features two flaps - with profiles similar to those used in Formula One - which rotate electronically to adjust the down-force between the front and rear axles.

The result, says Ferrari, is better performance in cornering. Total down-force at 200km/h is boosted to 330kg when the flaps are open and 440kg when closed.

The changes allow the Evolution to lap the Ferrari Fiorano test circuit in 1:15 seconds - 1 second quicker than the 599XX and 11 seconds quicker than a standard 599.

No price-tag was given but European buyers will have to pay well over $2 million for the privilege of owning one of the most extreme Ferraris ever produced.

Ferrari took the covers off the 599XX at the Bologna Motor Show, which is dedicated to performance cars and motorsport.

It also showed off the 458 Challenge car, the mid-engine V8 sportscar derived from the 458 Italia, and Ferrari's fifth model for its single-make championship.

This series, now in its 19th year, will span Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, where the Coppa Shell was won by Australian Steve Wyatt in his Ferrari 458 Challenge.

Also on show was the 458 Italia GT2, that won the drivers' and teams' title in the Le Mans Series, the teams' title in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, and the manufacturers' title.

The line-up of track-only cars was completed by the 458 Italia GT3, which made a superb FIA GT3 debut by winning the drivers' title and smashing the lap record at Australia's Bathurst track, and the FXX, Ferrari's "laboratory" car and one of the most technologically advanced non-competitive models in the world.

The Bologna show has a racetrack running through its grounds where Ferrari will race 16 cars from the Italian and European Ferrari Challenge series in the traditional end-of-year challenge.