Google boss scoops $1.4m Ferrari at charity auction

Google boss Benjamin Sloss has been presented with his ultra-rare $1.4 million Ferrari 599 XX Evo he successfully bid for at a charity auction.

The American executive paid around £874,000 (at today’s exchange rate) for the special Italian hypercar, with the proceeds going towards the victims of the Italian earthquake that occurred back in May. He received his new purchase at last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Ferrari 599 XX Evo for earthquake auction

Ferrari auction raises £1.4 million for earthquake victims

Ferrari’s 599 XX Evo is based on the 599 GTB road car and uses the same 6.0-litre V12 engine. However, the track-only vehicle’s motor has been modified to produce 740hp and 516lb ft of torque – 120hp and 68lb ft more than the standard car.

It is an evolution (hence the name!) of the original 599 XX, which featured a raised 9,000rpm rev limit and carbon fibre body panels, as well as a stripped out interior with many racing accoutrements.

The Evo versions also got more power, a further 35kg weight reduction and a more advanced aerodynamic package.

Sloss was presented with the car – the star lot of the charity auction – by Ferrari president Luca di Montezemelo as well as current Ferrari F1 drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa.

The Evo is not eligible for any race series, nor is it street legal. However, Ferrari will store the car for the lucky owner and transport it to special track days organised throughout the year.

The Maranello marque donated many other items for the sale to raise money for the displaced residents of the Emilia-Romagna region that was hit by two back-to-back earthquakes killing 16 people earlier this year.

Ferrari 599 XX Evo for earthquake auction

Ferrari auction raises £1.4 million for earthquake victims

On Bing: see images of the Ferrari 599 XX Evo

Find out how much a Ferrari 599 is worth on Auto Trader