Ferrari has unveiled a new FXX prototype allowing its most passionate clients to buy one of 20 or so examples being built and join Team Maranello

The FXX, which is based on the Enzo is intended to offer Ferrari's most dedicated - not to mention well-healed - customers the opportunity to become Ferrari 'Test Drivers' through a new programme. It allows them to use the FXX exclusively on track and compare their findings with both Ferrari's current F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello as well as Ferrari's in-house test drivers. Data from each of their driving experiences will be monitored by a Ferrari technician via a sophisticated telemetry system, and with a passenger seat fitted owners will be able to take someone along for the ride, too. And it's certain to be a wild ride, with power from the 6.3-litre V12 reaching 800bhp at 8,500rpm.

All that power is transmitted to the track via a F1-style paddle gearshift that swaps cogs at 100 milliseconds, finally reaching the tarmac via specially developed Bridgestone slick tyres. Its performance will be sensational, with a top speed well in excess of 200mph depending on the gearing. Aerodynamic developments allow the FXX to deliver huge downforce allowing the car to carry its speed through the bends. With a moveable rear spoiler the FXX's 'Test Drivers' can select the best downforce setting for a specific circuit and monitor the changes via the telemetry system. To stop this ultimate track day toy Brembo has developed a special brake cooling pad to cope with the extreme temperatures developed by the Composite Ceramic Material disc brakes

Participation in the FXX package includes drives at a number of track-based events on various international circuits, and an ad hoc driving course to be held at Ferrari's Fiorano Circuit. The cars can be kept at Maranello, or by their owners, and transported by Ferrari to the various European events. It may sound like the ultimate plaything, but Ferrari aims to use some of the lessons learned from its customers experiences in the car in the development of future extreme models. However it looks like a thinly-veilled GT racer to us, and despite Ferrari suggesting that the car isn't homologated for competition, it can't simply be a coincidence that the company chose to unveil it a few days prior to the world's most prestigious GT race - the LeMans 24hours