Ferrari 550 Maranello

Group	1
Engine	65° V12
Displacement	5474cc
Fuel feed and ignition	Bosch Motronic 5.2 DOHC 48valves
Location	Front longitudinal
Transmission	6 speed manual transaxle, RWD, limited slip diff
Bore and stroke	88 x 75 mm (3.46 x 2.95 in)
Compression ratio	10.8:1
Cylinder block	Light alloy, dry sump
Cylinder head	Light alloy, 4 valves per cylinder
Redline rpm	7500
Bhp @ rpm	485 @ 7000
lb ft @ rpm	419 @ 5000
Kerb weight/kg	1690
bhp/ton	287
bhp/litre	89
Chassis	High tensile tubular steel spaceframe, aluminium body panels
Tyres	255/40 ZR 18" front, 295/35 ZR 18", rear Bridgestone RE050A
Wheels	8.5J x 18" front, 10.5J x 18" rear, Magnesium alloy by Speedline
Brakes	Brembo ventilated and drilled, 4 piston aluminium calipers, ABS, 330mm front, 310mm rear
Steering	ZF rack and pinion steering system comes complete with the Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering
Front suspension	Independent transverse parallelogram structure and triangular arms, electronic aluminium gas dampers with coaxial coil springs and anti-roll bars
Rear suspension	Indepenent transverse parallelogram structure and triangular arms, electronic aluminium gas dampers with coaxial coil springs and anti-roll bars
Cabin	2 door; 2 seat
0-60/secs	4.3
0-100/secs	10.0
Max mph	199
Fuel tank	114 litres, light aluminium alloy
Year	1997-2002
Country	Italy
Price when new	£160,000
Number produced	457 (UK RHD)

The Ferrari 550 Maranello was launched at the Nürburgring in July 1996 and replaced the mid-engined 512M as Ferrari's top of the range 12 cylinder, 2 seater sports car. A V12 engine replaced the flat 12 Boxer that had powered the flagship Ferrari's for over 2 decades and marked Ferraris return to the front engined two seater Berlinetta Gran Tourismo, the last being the 365 GTB/4 (Daytona) in 1973 from which it took some inspiration. The 550 Maranello is named after the location of the factory and the approximate displacement of its engine in decilitres.
 
The 550 was never designed to be a race car like the outgoing 512M, even so it lapped the Fiorano test track 3.2 seconds quicker, and 2.2 seconds quicker than the then current V8 engined F355. It was also far more practical than the outgoing mid-engined 512M and provided usable luggage space. This was a result of the design brief: to build a sports car that Ferrari customers could use every day whilst retaining the emotions of driving and exotic performance without compromising on drivability and comfort. The result was a 21st century interpretation of the front engined 12 cylinder Berlinetta.
 
The engine is an improved version of that used in the 456GT 2+2, but now with titanium connecting rods and forged, lighter, Mahle pistons. It is naturally aspirated, has 4 valves per cylinder and dual overhead camshafts displacing 5474cm³ and producing 485bhp at 7000rpm. The 550 has both variable-geometry intake and exhaust systems allowing variable intake volumes and different exhaust back pressures across the rev range resulting in a very flat torque curve, the majority being available from just 3000rpm.
 
All 550s have a 6-speed manual gearbox positioned at the rear with a limited slip differential, which when combined with an engine set behind the front axle, provides a 50/50 weight distribution and delivers great balance when cornering.
 
The aluminium body and 18" Magnesium Speedline wheels were designed by Pininfarina. The 550 has an aggressive look with long nose, cut-off tail and wide stance, and includes touches such as the fins on the sides reminiscent of the 250GTO. Its low drag coefficient of just 0.33, constant downforce over both axles and minimal sensitivity to sidewinds is a result of 4800 hours in the wind tunnel, this aero dynamic efficiency and the huge performance allows a top speed of 199mph.
 
The chassis is a high tensile tubular steel spaceframe with varying thickness for weight optimisation, like those used in Ferrari racing cars, to which the light weight aluminium body panels are welded to, further increasing torsional and flexional rigidity for precision handling and crash protection. The welding of the aluminium and steel is achieved with a process that uses steel foil treated with a special material called Feran to complete the bond. There are unequal double wishbones for the suspension and a wider front track for better turn-in as well as independent electronic dampers at each corner allowing anti-squat and dive management to retain tyre contact patches. The brakes were developed with Brembo using Formula 1 technology and include thermal insulation on the front pistons to reduce brake fluid temperature and ABS, switchable traction control is also included.
 
There are only 457 RHD examples in the UK.
 
 
"Exploitable, involving and completely exhilarating – without doubt one of Ferrari's greatest achievements" ***** evo Magazine, Issue 022