News : Ferrari Crafts Limited Edition 599 GTB

How do you pay tribute to one of your strongest emerging markets? If you're Ferrari, you craft a series of limited-edition 599 GTB coupes exclusively for the Chinese market.

Mechanically, the China Limited Edition cars differ little (if at all) from a standard 599 GTB, but each carries small visual tweaks designed by Chinese artist Lu Hao. Outside, the car wears a special shade of red (Rosso Fuoco) and a contrasting grey roof that evokes the 599XX race car. Inside, the starter button glows in a shade of jade green, while the tachometer sports ancient Chinese numerals. The fitted luggage also is embroidered with a map of the famed Silk Road.

Ferrari plans on building only 12 examples, but if that's not quite unique enough, one GTB will also receive an exterior finish patterned after Song dynasty pottery. The paint job is said to emulate cracked glaze, but from the right angles, it also manages to make the 599 look downright reptilian.

There's a chance this car could find a home outside of the Chinese market, as it will be auctioned for charity in Beijing come November 3.

Schumy Cancels Return to Formula 1

After all the hype surrounding Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula 1 racing to fill in for the injured Felipe Massa, it turns out he actually won’t make it back into the cockpit for Ferrari.

“Yesterday evening, I had to inform Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo and Team Principal Stemano Domenicali that unfortunately I’m not able to step in for Felipe. I really tried everything to make that comeback possible, however, much to my regret it didn’t work out,” wrote Schumacher on his website.

“Unfortunately we did not manage to get a grip on the pain in the neck which occurred after the private F1-day in Mugello, even if medically or therapeutically we tried everything possible.”

Schumacher was involved in a bike accident earlier this year and injured his neck, which is now keeping him from filling in for Felipe Massa. The retired Formula 1 driver was expected to test the privately owned Ferrari F2007 Formula 1 car later this week prior to making his comeback at the European grand prix in Valencia, Spain.

With Schumacher now out of the seat for Ferrari, the team will likely have to field its reserve or test driver, Marc Gene or Luca Badoer.

Profile : Ferrari Company

Italian sports car maker Ferrari was founded in 1929 by Enzo Ferrari. Ferrari, who loved racing, originally created the company to sponsor amateur racers.

Called Scuderia Ferrari ("Ferrari Stable" or "Team Ferrari"), the company's first racecar, the Tipo 815, was built during World War II where it ran at the Mille Miglia. Unfortunately, both broke down during the endurance race.

Enzo Ferrari continued the company primarily to finance his love of the Sport. The Model 166M won at 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the racing division has a record at nearly every Formula One event.

Ferrari sold the company to Fiat in 1969, though he retained control of the racing division until his death in 1988.

As one of the world's greatest sports car company, Ferrari has a long list of vehicles recognized by fans. The 1947 125 S (or 125 Sport) was the company's first car under the Ferrari banner. It debuted at the Circuito di Piacenza. Other well-known sports cars include the Supeamerica, GTS Spider, Maranello, various Dinos, Ferrari 360, 360 Modena/Spider, 612 Scaglietti, 512 Berlinetta Boxer, Testarossa, and, of course, the Enzo Ferrari. Future vehicles in the works include an all-new Dino set to debut in 2010 and a production version of the Ferrari 599 GTO Mugello.

2009 Ferrari 599 Specifications
5,999 cc 6.0 liters V 12 front engine with 92.0 mm bore, 75.2 mm stroke, 11.2 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder
Premium unleaded fuel
Multi-point injection fuel system
27.7 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 23.1
Power: 462 kW , 620 HP SAE @ 7,600 rpm; 448 ft lb , 607 Nm @ 5,600 rpm