Ferrari 599

Our verdict

No-one can quite believe how good the 599 is. Staggeringly fast but remarkably easy to drive. It’s pretty much as fast as an Enzo too, which just shows what a difference a couple of years can make.

Comfort

The GTB wouldn't meet the demands of its market if it wasn't superbly comfortable and refined. Yes, you can wring its noisy neck cross-country, but you can also waft about as a picture of calm and dignity.

Performance

A top speed of 205mph is a good indication of just what the 599 is about, but that's only half the story. Super-slick sequential manual gearbox and 434lb ft of torque mean there's never a moment when it can't knock the wind out of you.

Cool

The 599 GTB gets the nod for the simple reason that it is so damn good. In the hands of someone who will really use it, it's cool. Being written off in suburban Cheshire by a drunk Premiership footballer, however...

Quality

For £180,000 you'd expect the 599 to be pretty bloody well screwed together, and it is. Fingers crossed for all that ultra-hi-tech Italian electronica, but no problems to report thus far.

Handling

Despite GT characteristics with that big V12 up front, the 599 handles like a proper sports car. It's ridiculously advanced traction settings also mean it's getting on for idiot proof.

Practicality

Within reason, the 599 is a useable two-seat tourer, with plenty of space for kit and a nicely sorted cabin. It's also very easy to drive around town, although it'd take balls of steel to park it in the street and leave it there.

Running costs

If you're looking in this box you're a tourist. Anyone who's prepared to spend £180,000 on a car is going to worry about the odd outgoing. Service, insurance, fuel: it'd buy you a decent hatchback every year.