Ferrari 550 Maranello

To the Ferrari faithful, the introduction of the 1997 550 Maranello was cause for celebration. This car is the performance leader among Ferrari's "volume" sports cars. Its best lap time at the Fiorano test track is some three seconds faster than that of the F512M. The 550 Maranello marks a return to classic Ferrari form—a berlinetta (coupe) powered by a V12 engine driving the rear wheels. The company sums up the 550 Maranello as, "Performance at no compromise." In recent years, Ferrari has made significant improvements in the quality, reliability and drivability of its cars. In particular, ergonomic improvements include an 8-way adjustable driver's seat. Styled by Pininfarina, the shape of the 550 Maranello is thoroughly modern, yet it incorporates traditional Ferrari styling cues, especially those of the highly acclaimed Daytona coupe of the early 1970s.

The 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello is available as a single model. The newest Ferrari is powered by a 5.5-liter 48-valve V12 engine that puts out a whopping 485 horsepower. The powerful V12 can propel the 550 to almost 200 mph, and the huge ventilated Brembo brakes combined with a 4-channel anti-lock brake system (ABS) can assuredly bring it back to a standstill. The interior is like that of a luxury car, featuring dual airbags, leather trim, an adjustable steering wheel, an 8-way adjustable driver‘s seat, automatic air conditioning, and a Sony AM/FM stereo with CD changer. Rounding out the sleek Pininfarina-designed exterior are 18-inch magnesium alloy wheels.

The brief given to the technicians was particularly demanding : design and build a car able to meet the needs of Ferrari customers looking for driving emotions and exciting performance, who do not want to forego driveability or comfort. Customers attracted by state-of-the-art technical proposals from a company which has always treated design as an aethetic solution to the demand for performance, and has always built its cars with sophisticated craftsmanship.

Bodywork
The bodywork adopts the criteria of a classic front-engined two-seater Ferrari berlinetta. The bodywork is in aluminium welded to the steel frame using special alloy known as Feran. The 550 Maranello is another step forward in the aerodynamic development. The vertical load independent of set-up and a Cz lower than nought are a unique result for a car with no mobile parts of added aerodynamic surfaces.

Interior
Two-seater leather-upholstered interior. The driver's seat and steering wheel are fully adjustable, the heating / ventilation and Hi-Fi system are ultra-efficient.

Chassis
Tubular stress-bearing chassis in alloy steel. Independent suspension with unequal-length, non-parallel wishbones front and rear with springs and electronically controlled gas dampers that adjust into two positions, anti-roll bars. Servotronic rack-and-pinion steering. Self-ventilated disc brakes with ATE Mark IV antiskid system. The ASR system adopted is the only one to offer a choice of two operating levels, selected manually.

Power Train
65 degree V12, 334.0 cu. in., 485 HP front engine. Four valves per cylinder and four overhead cams. Variable geometry intake. Bosch M 5.2 engine management system. Dry sump lubrication system. Rear six-speed plus reverse gearbox in unit with the differential (transaxle). Single plate dry clutch.