Toronto pit stop on 32,000 km drive

The shortest distance between point A and point B is a straight line. But if you can make that trip in a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, a longer route — say 32,000 kilometres over 85 days on two continents — would be a lot more fun.

That's just what a group of journalists from around the globe got to do for the past three months on the Ferrari Panamerican 20,000, which started in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on Aug. 24, and passed through Toronto on Tuesday before it winds up in New York City this weekend.

"This event shows it's not about the speed; it shows the beauty of the car — its performance and technology," said Remo Ferri, president of Ferrari of Ontario, as throngs of admirers stopped to gawk at the two Panamerican 599 GTB Fioranos parked on Avenue Rd.

Ferri said he was delighted that Toronto was chosen as the Canadian stop on Ferrari's 16-country "goodwill tour," which coincided with the 599 GTB's unveiling for buyers in the Greater Toronto Area.

"A stop here shows the importance the Canadian market to Ferrari," he said.

No price for the new Ferrari has been set yet, but expectations are that it will list in the mid-$300,000s — more than the average house in the city. But then housing is a necessity; this Ferrari is something else again, showing off power, style, and the latest and greatest automotive technology.

The F1-Superfast transmission does seem to make the car shift in the blink of the eye, while the F1-Trac monitors traction and stability, allowing even "lesser drivers" to fully experience the 599. It's as if this car can sense the skill level of the person behind the wheel.

While it allows you to drive at 330 km/h, as true Ferraristas would expect, it also comes with dual climate controls, a creature comfort you're more likely to expect in a sedan or minivan.

Even near the end of a 32,000-kilometre journey that included lots of rough roads, the cars exuded decadence. Potholes on the trip caused two flat tires and some bent wheels, but Ferrari clearly expected worse, having brought along 16 spares.

There was serious heat, cold and rain along the way, as well as mountains, jungle and desert, but the worst delays were blamed on customs and immigration or the local police — the latter easily bribed with cash or T-shirts.

Ferrari spokesman Davide Kluzer said the project was undertaken just because it was a challenge, but it had to be "lots of fun, too."

Sponsor Shell supplied its V-Power fuel — at least in places where there were Shell stations. At other times, regular Central American gasoline had to be used. A Ferrari rep called the 72-octane fuel "water," but the cars still ran well, a testament to the V12 engine.

The Panamerican isn't the first such roadshow for Ferrari. A pair of its 612 Scaglietti models completed a similar 24,000-km journey in China last year. In 1997, a Ferrari 355 finished a five-continent round-the-world tour.

Top speed is rarely achieved on these events, with the poor quality of roads and the concerns of local police, but the tours are meant to demonstrate that Ferraris are comfortable, easy to drive and reliable.

Kluzer says such concerns have been a priority since Ferrari president Luca Di Montezemolo came on board in 1991. The F1 technology perfected on the track was to be combined with comfort, style and reliability.

The result, Kluzer says, is that Ferrari owners now drive their cars regularly, rather than keeping them largely as garage queens.

The 599 GTB Fioranos that were used on the Panamerican 20,000 have 611-hp engines, turning out 448 lb.-ft. of torque. They accelerate from zero to 200 km/h in 11 seconds. Redline on the 599 is 8400 r.p.m., compared with 7500 on the 575, Ferrari's previous GT car.

The Panamerican comes in a year that Ferrari North America took on responsibility for the other Americas. And even if Nicaragua's Ferrari ownership comprises a single 308, the company has learned from its South American experience that emerging markets can be quite profitable.

As for would-be buyers in these parts, if you're thinking seriously about a 599 GTB Fiorano, you should order it promptly. Only 800 will be made a year, with a maximum of 30 per cent slotted for North America. Ferrari of Ontario's allotment is estimated at 10 to 12 a year.

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