Almost the latest in a long line of front-engined rear-drive V-12 Ferraris, the Ferrari 575M Maranello is one of the finest supercars there is – a true grand touring car. Developed from the 550 Maranello, and has been improved in many, many ways. Definitely a top supercar.
How fast? Top speed is 202 mph, and the 575M sprints to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. And the handling is terrific. The car underwent a serious update late in 2004 to improve performance, and a semi-automatic gearbox was added.
One of the sleekest grand tourers
The 575M is one of the sleekest Ferraris ever. It was styled by Pininfarina, who almost always seems to do a great job for Ferrari, creating flowing lines of one of the most beautiful cars there is. Just look at that side profile.
At the front there is the big air intake that’s the signature of the Ferrari front-engined cars. On the latest models, it is flanked by large headlamps that are flush with the sloping aerodynamic fenders. There are a couple of air outlets behind the wheelarches, and the classic rise above the rear wheels which blends into the fastback with its modest spoiler. Elegance in motion, and with less lift at the front thanks to the new wider front air dam.
There are also some channels in the underbody to improve airflow, so despite reduced lift, the drag coefficient is still the same as the 550 at 0.33.
Inside, the cockpit is quite small, but has enough room for two people to be held comfortably in their seats. There is the usual instrument cluster – with rev counter set with the maximum revs near the top of the dial – and the simple gear lever sticking out of the classic metal gate. That’s the manual version, of course, which has a six-speed gearbox.
F575M Maranello's V-12 develops 515 bhp
The power all starts with one of the latest versions of Ferrari’s 65 degree V-12 engine. True, 60 degrees is normal for a V-12, but Ferrari opted for 65 degrees years ago, and has stuck to it. Independent, like most leaders.
But this is a thoroughly modern engine, with an aluminum cylinder block, heads and oil pan and four valves per cylinder. The engine has been worked on to improve power across the speed range, with 515 bhp being developed at 7,250 rpm. A classic high-revving Ferrari, this.
Ferrari calls its semi-automatic F1, as the electro-hydraulics came from the F1 cars. You shift gears with two large paddles on the steering wheel instead of a gear lever, and there’s no clutch. Shifts are faster than manual, so acceleration is quicker. When you shift up you don’t need to lift off either. At low speeds shifts are sometimes a bit sharp, but at speed they are very fast and smooth.
Because the F1 box is controlled electronically, there are sport and normal modes, and you can also let it operate as an automatic. The settings affect the suspension and traction control settings. ABS is also standard.
Continuously variable dampers
The suspension has also moved on a bit. The car retains double wishbone racing-inspired suspension with anti-roll bars, but now gets continuously variable damping. A computer senses the type of road surface from the behavior of the suspension, and adjusts the damping forces accordingly.
During cornering, braking or acceleration, the rate of one pair of the dampers is stiffened to reduce roll, pitch or squat. In this way, handling and traction are improved.
Super handling, high cornering power
The 575 Maranello is renowned for its combination of good handling and long-leggedness. It can be hustled through corners very fast, although on medium speed corners you need to flick the wheel just before the apex to cut the build-up of understeer.
The understeer comes partly from the fact that the rear tires are quite a bit wider than the front ones. At the front, 255/40 ZR 18 tires are fitted, against 295/35 ZR 18s - 15% wider at the back.
Tubular frame
Beneath the elegant shape of the 575M Maranello is a combination of new and old technology. The frame is a space frame made of steel tubes, but the aluminum panels are welded to an aluminum/steel foil called Feran. At the same time, the heat welds the steel layer of Feran to the steel tube. With this unusual construction, which Ferrari has been using for more than ten years, the result is a stiff and rattle-free structure.
Still a superb supercar, and in its latest guise, looking better than ever, the Ferrari 575M Maranello is ideal for grand touring and high-speed driving on country roads. It has some luggage space, and is the sort of car in which you can chat to you passenger at 140 mph – yes, you really can - it is that relaxed at speed.
Still, there’s more torque than before: 435 lb ft (589 Nm) at 5,250 rpm. In fact, this is not the most powerful version on this engine: the new Scaglietti V-12 develops 540 bhp but has the same amount of torque.
Increased durability with forged pistons and a new crankshaft
Improvements to the engine include forged pistons, which are more durable, a higher compression ratio, revised valve timing, a new crankshaft and a revised cooling circuit. There is also a dry sump lubrication system.
It is coupled to a six-speed box, manual or semi-automatic mounted at the rear in unit with the axle gears. This layout gives 50:50 weight distribution.
F1 gearbox shifts faster than a manual
Ferrari calls its semi-automatic F1, as the electro-hydraulics came from the F1 cars. You shift gears with two large paddles on the steering wheel instead of a gear lever, and there’s no clutch. Shifts are faster than manual, so acceleration is quicker. When you shift up you don’t need to lift off either. At low speeds shifts are sometimes a bit sharp, but at speed they are very fast and smooth.
Because the F1 box is controlled electronically, there are sport and normal modes, and you can also let it operate as an automatic. The settings affect the suspension and traction control settings. ABS is also standard.
Continuously variable dampers
The suspension has also moved on a bit. The car retains double wishbone racing-inspired suspension with anti-roll bars, but now gets continuously variable damping. A computer senses the type of road surface from the behavior of the suspension, and adjusts the damping forces accordingly.
During cornering, braking or acceleration, the rate of one pair of the dampers is stiffened to reduce roll, pitch or squat. In this way, handling and traction are improved.
Good handling, high cornering power
The 575 Maranello is renowned for its combination of good handling and long-leggedness. It can be hustled through corners very fast. On medium-speed corners you need to flick the wheel just before the apex to cut the build-up of understeer.
The understeer comes partly from the fact that the rear tires are quite a bit wider than the front ones. At the front, 255/40 ZR 18 tires are fitted, against 295/35 ZR 18s - 15% wider at the back.
Tubular frame
Beneath the elegant shape of the 575M Maranello is a combination of new and old technology. The frame is a space frame made of steel tubes, but the aluminum panels are welded to an aluminum/steel foil called Feran. At the same time, the heat welds the steel layer of Feran to the steel tube. With this unusual construction, which Ferrari has been using for more than ten years, the result is a stiff and rattle-free structure.
Still a superb supercar, and in its latest guise, looking better than ever, the Ferrari 575M Maranello is ideal for grand touring and high-speed driving on country roads. It has some luggage space, and is the sort of car in which you can chat to you passenger at 140 mph – yes, you really can - it is that relaxed at speed.
