Michael Schumacher takes the 599 GTB HGTE for a 20-lap test

Although most people are content with the performance and handling of production Ferraris, there are some whose tastes are not fully satisfied. For these kinds of people Ferrari has come out with a new package called Handling GT Evoluzione (HGTE) which was first shown last March at the Geneva Motor Show.

The information is that seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher took the car this week for a 20-lap test at the Fiorano circuit. The lap time of Schumacher was not made available although it is a known fact that the car’s lap time at the circuit is a seriously fast 1 minute and 26 seconds. Other models like the F40 takes about 3.1 seconds more to finish the lap, the F430 and the F50 supercar both finish it in half a second more. Schumacher drove the car as part of the carmaker’s Pilota Ferrari driving course, which provides Ferrari owners a comprehensive set of instructions intended to bring drivers up the scale of performance driving skills, to help them reach their highest potential in total safety either on the road or on the track.
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HSCenterconsole - 6/15/2009 12:39:22 PM

+5 Boost

This latest iteration of the 599 is absolutely incredible. However, I still think the 430 is my favorite Ferrari.

Need4Speed - 6/15/2009 1:02:40 PM

+4 Boost

I guess that is the difference between driving a GT-R and a Ferrari. Ferrari provides training to improve the level of driving their cars...while Nissan simply programs it in.

PS..I can only imagine how much hate I'll get for this...LOL!

B7FAN - 6/15/2009 1:12:30 PM

+4 Boost

tell me what ferarri he doesnt own. he has a 30 car garage under his house something with mostly ferrari's. he is THE greatest F! driver in my opinion.

dhkss2002 - 6/15/2009 1:25:30 PM

-4 Boost

All the training in the world still doesn't change the fact that every Ferrari road car, barring the Enzo, is slower around the Nurburgring than the GT-R. Ferrari produces great cars with a ton of passion, of that there is no dispute, however, they suck around the track and their reliability is well, Fiat and Alfa Romeo like.

pennfootball - 6/15/2009 2:17:04 PM

+5 Boost

Hey Chief, Ferrari doesn't send factory drivers to the Nurburgring to post official lap times. You need to Bring your GT-R to the Fiorano circuit to compare apples to apples and see what the Nissan Engineers can do against the the F-430 Challenge cars to make a relevant statement.

theoptimisticpessimist - 6/15/2009 8:02:58 PM

+2 Boost

dhkss2002-

You're thinking Ferrari as a mere car. Ferrari is a work of art and will always be a classic, a car that 99.99% will dream about but never be able to drive.

Agent63 - 6/16/2009 7:33:48 PM

+1 Boost

What on earth are you talking about?

tecnopolis - 6/15/2009 1:29:12 PM

+5 Boost

Who cares if it's slower, it's simply gorgeous.

pennfootball - 6/15/2009 2:14:00 PM

+3 Boost

"I ONLY CARE ABOUT THE FERRARI'S"

pennfootball - 6/15/2009 2:43:02 PM

+3 Boost

Aww Tim just because he wants to drive a Nissan and pay 1200 dollars to change his tranny fluid and pay as much for maintenance as a Porsche anyways shouldn't matter. The Gearbox will grenade and his "payment" of "only" 1000 dollars a month will eat him alive. You see these people have no idea what they are buying! Yea 75 grand might be Cheep, but 25,000 for a new gearbox, isn't. Neither are Brembo brake Jobs! Those tasty cross drilled rotors with 6 piston calipers are going to make your service department oh so happy when you come in! Pay now or pay later you will have to pay! And Pay you will Mr. Gt-R....

Agent00R - 6/16/2009 10:20:18 AM

+1 Boost

430 Scuderia doing 3.1 0-60?

I think that is a bit ambitious.

rumnyc - 6/16/2009 12:54:56 AM

+1 Boost

only a retard would compare a GT-R to a Ferrari.

Agent00R - 6/16/2009 10:21:57 AM

+1 Boost

I am really tired of hearing about the HGTE package on the 599.

Yes, it gives subtle enhancements.

Yes, it is overpriced.

Yes, it is still AWESOME.

Agent00R - 6/16/2009 5:38:26 PM

+1 Boost

Well, that's why I said *think* ;)

My mistake.

I'll have to speak with a 430 Scuderia owner/friend of mine to see what he thinks of the result.