200 mph of Ferrari happiness for just over a mil

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If there are any multimillionaires out there who feel that life has passed them by because they didn’t get to purchase the limited-edition Ferrari FXX super-car, then here’s some good news. Ferrari has decided to produce more FXX models into 2009.

And because the original model provided plenty of feedback from client test drivers -- including the findings of seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher -- the second generation features a few refinements to the formula. Like shaving two seconds from its best lap time at Fiorano, Ferrari’s own test track (now 76 seconds). And the car’s aerodynamics have been revised to be 25% more efficient. Which is a good thing, considering this car can exceed 200 mph.

The FXX Evoluzione is the most advanced car ever to come out of Maranello’s gates. It has a 6.3-liter V-12 engine that develops an astonishing 860 horsepower at a screaming 9,500 rpm. It has a traction control system with nine different settings (plus ‘off’), so drivers can tailor the vehicle’s behavior from corner to corner. At 60 milliseconds, the new FXX transmission’s gear-change times are 20 milliseconds faster than its predecessor.

Of course, the FXX can’t be driven on the road. That would be far too populist. It’s the world’s most expensive track-day car (expect to kiss arrivederci to at least $1 million). Ferrari is planning six track events -- two each in Asia, Europe and North America -- with an end-of-season bash at the Ferrari World Finals. So cheer up, moneybags, life isn’t so bad after all.

-- Colin Ryan