Best Car Reviews - 2006 Ferrari F141

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Introduction

The 2006 Ferrari F141 is better known as the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive V12 grand tourer introduced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. It was aimed at buyers wanting supercar performance with genuine long-distance comfort, replacing the 575M Maranello. Its naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12, aluminium construction and dramatic Pininfarina styling made it one of the defining Ferrari two-seaters of its era.

Design and Exterior Features

The 599 GTB Fiorano combines a long, low bonnet with a compact cabin and muscular rear haunches. At roughly 4,665 mm long and 1,962 mm wide, it is a substantial GT, yet its aluminium body and transaxle layout give it a purposeful stance. Compared with the softer, steel-bodied 575M, the 599 is more angular and technical, with prominent air intakes, flying buttresses and an integrated rear spoiler designed to improve high-speed downforce.

Pininfarina-designed aluminium two-seat berlinetta body.
Flying buttresses channel air toward the rear deck spoiler.
Bi-xenon lighting and distinctive round rear lamps.
Staggered alloy-wheel fitment with wide rear performance tyres.

Interior and Comfort

The cabin is a driver-focused two-seat environment finished in leather, aluminium and available carbon-fibre trim. The dashboard wraps around the occupants, while the large analogue tachometer remains the visual centrepiece. Power-adjustable seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and dual-zone climate control make the 599 more accommodating than many supercars, although its low seating position, wide sills and firm sports seats can make daily urban use less effortless.

Leather-trimmed dashboard, doors and sports seats.
Power-adjustable front seats with available memory functions.
Dual-zone automatic climate control.
Practical front luggage area for a two-seat GT.

Performance and Handling

The Ferrari F141 uses a naturally aspirated 5,999 cc, 65-degree V12 producing 620 PS, or about 611 hp, at 7,600 rpm and 608 Nm of torque at 5,600 rpm. Power goes to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual or the six-speed F1 automated-manual transmission commonly described in listings as an automatic. Ferrari quoted 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed above 330 km/h. The aluminium chassis, rear-mounted transmission, near-balanced weight distribution and magnetorheological dampers give the 599 remarkable stability at speed, but its size and immense power still demand care on narrow roads. Published European combined consumption is about 21.3 l/100 km; fuel use rises sharply in city driving and during enthusiastic use.

6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 with 620 PS.
Rear-wheel drive with a six-speed F1 automated-manual transmission.
Quoted 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds.
F1-Trac traction control and magnetorheological damping.

Technology and Connectivity

Technology was advanced for a 2006 Ferrari but is dated beside modern luxury cars. The F1 gearbox, manettino drive-mode control and adaptive damping were the key innovations, placing chassis and powertrain settings close at hand. Audio, navigation, Bluetooth capability, parking sensors and Bose sound systems varied by market and original specification, so buyers should inspect the individual car rather than assume every feature is fitted. Modern smartphone integration, live navigation and contemporary driver-assistance technology were not part of the original design.

Steering-wheel manettino for selectable vehicle-dynamics settings.
F1 paddle-shift control on F1-equipped cars.
Trip computer and multifunction instrument display.
Navigation, Bose audio and parking sensors were specification-dependent.

Safety Features

The 599 GTB Fiorano was engineered with an aluminium structure, four-wheel ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, stability control and traction control. Driver, passenger and front side airbags were fitted, along with seat-belt pretensioners and tyre-pressure monitoring. No widely published independent crash-test rating is available for this low-volume exotic, so safety should be judged by its equipment, condition and responsible use rather than a modern crash-score comparison.

Driver, front-passenger and front side airbags.
Four-wheel ABS with electronic brake-force distribution.
CST stability control and F1-Trac traction management.
Tyre-pressure and temperature monitoring system.

Pricing and Variants

The 599 GTB Fiorano was introduced as the core F141 coupe, available with a traditional six-speed manual or six-speed F1 automated-manual gearbox. Contemporary US reporting placed the 2006 launch price at approximately $250,000, while early 2007 US-market pricing was reported at $273,845 before gas-guzzler tax, delivery and options. Carbon-ceramic brakes, special paint, carbon-fibre trim, upgraded seats and audio equipment could raise the original price substantially. Comparable period rivals included the Lamborghini Murciélago LP640, Aston Martin DBS and Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, although the Ferrari offered a particularly distinctive combination of V12 character and grand-touring usability.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Magnificent naturally aspirated V12 sound and response.
Supercar acceleration with long-distance GT comfort.
Timeless Pininfarina exterior design.
Advanced chassis electronics for its era.
Strong collector appeal, especially for well-documented examples.

Cons

Very high fuel consumption and premium-fuel requirement.
Servicing, tyres, brakes and repairs can be exceptionally expensive.
F1 automated-manual shifts feel less smooth than modern dual-clutch systems.
Technology and infotainment are dated.
Low ground clearance and wide body complicate city use.

Maintenance and Common Issues

A dependable, model-specific annual maintenance average is not consistently published, and costs vary greatly with mileage, location, service history and unexpected repairs. Owners should budget for specialist Ferrari servicing rather than rely on ordinary sports-car running-cost estimates. Commonly reported concerns for the 599 generation include F1 clutch wear and actuator or gearbox calibration faults, ageing exhaust manifolds, leaking or failing magnetorheological dampers, sticky interior switches and trim, and battery-related electrical warnings caused by infrequent use or weak charging systems. A pre-purchase inspection and complete service documentation are essential.

Rating

Overall rating: 8.8/10. Design: 9.5/10. Comfort: 8.0/10. Performance: 9.7/10. Technology: 7.5/10. Safety: 8.2/10. The 599 remains an exceptionally charismatic V12 GT, though ownership requires substantial financial commitment and realistic expectations about ageing technology.

User Reviews and Feedback

Owner feedback commonly celebrates the engine, styling and ability to cover distance quickly without feeling like a stripped-out track car. Enthusiasm is usually tempered by the need for specialist maintenance, careful battery management and a thorough inspection before purchase.

Owners consistently praise the V12 soundtrack and instant throttle response.
The driving position and visibility are generally considered strong for a supercar.
Many appreciate its ability to feel civilised on longer journeys.
F1 gearbox behaviour divides opinion in low-speed traffic.
Service history and preventative maintenance strongly affect ownership satisfaction.

Best Cars in This Category

2007 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640
2007 Aston Martin DBS
2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
2007 Porsche 911 Turbo
2008 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Summary

The 2006 Ferrari F141, or 599 GTB Fiorano, is best suited to an enthusiast seeking a dramatic front-engined V12 Ferrari that can combine high-speed touring with serious performance. It offers enduring design, extraordinary power and an unusually usable two-seat GT layout. Its value lies in the experience and provenance rather than low running costs, making the best choice a carefully inspected, well-maintained example with complete records.