Ferrari's 599 GTB replacement 'fastest yet'

Ferrari's 599 GTB Fiorano replacement will be capable of 350km/h. Photo / Supplied

Ferrari will unveil a replacement for the 599 GTB Fiorano at the Geneva Motor Show in March - and the new two-seat supercar will be more powerful and lighter than before, making it one of the company's fastest models.

Prototypes of the new car, codenamed F152, have been spotted near the company's Maranello base in Italy.

Ferrari is believed to be putting a new engine and transmission, developed from the FF, through its paces.

And that's one of the keys to the new car's appeal. Positioned as an out-and-out hyper GT, the new 599 will have an even more powerful version of the FF's 6.3-litre V12 direct-injection engine, producing 520kW. That will make it the most powerful car in the range, with 37kW more than the FF and 65kW more than the current car.

Unlike the FF, it won't have four-wheel drive - all that power will be sent to the rear wheels through the FF's seven-speed twin-clutch transmission, with an F1-style electronic differential.

Under the skin, the newcomer will have adaptive dampers and continue to make extensive use of aluminium.

A wide mix of alloys is being used in its new chassis, which was developed from the FF, but will have a shorter wheelbase.

This and the extra power will give a top speed of 350km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 3.2sec - as fast as a Lamborghini Aventador.

Styling will be evolutionary, taking inspiration from the 458 and FF, with a strip of LED daytime running lights at the front, a 599 GTO-inspired diffuser at the rear and dramatic buttresses either side of the rear window.

The new car will go on sale late next year.