2003 Ferrari 575M Maranello F1 Coupe

Description

Ferrari’s flagship model in the latter part of the 1990s, the 550 Maranello saw a welcome return to the traditional front-engined format last seen on the revered 365 GTB/4 Daytona. The 550 was a grand tourer in the best sense, with plenty of interior space in the luxuriously trimmed cockpit and a decent boot capable of taking a set of golf clubs. Performance was a big step up from the outgoing F512M thanks to a revised version of the 5474cc 65-degree V12 first seen on the 456 2+2. The F133 twin-overhead camshaft engine drove the rear wheels through six-speed transaxle, delivering a very healthy output of 485 bhp at 7000 rpm yet was entirely tractable thanks to the latest Bosch Motronic M5.2 digital engine management system. All this added up to scintillating performance, with the 550 Maranello capable of reaching 0-100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds on the way to a top speed of 320 km/h and the new model lapped Fiorano three seconds quicker than its mid-engined F512M predecessor. The svelte light alloy bodywork was again styled by Pininfarina, harking back to ancestors like the Daytona without being overtly retro, and is universally regarded as one of the best looking of all modern Ferraris. The chassis was constructed of high tensile tubular steel with advanced suspension, including a variable damper control system with both Normal and Sport settings, speed variable power steering and 18-inch wheels. In 2002 Ferrari updated the 550 to become the 575M; externally there were few changes but plenty of new technology was employed under the skin, with the introduction of the famous F1 semi-automatic transmission (a conventional six-speed remained an option). The engine was enlarged to 5.7-litres, generating more power, the brakes were uprated to cope with this additional grunt and new adaptive suspension introduced. In total Ferrari produced just over 2,000 575Ms, along with a limited number of open-topped Superamerica variants, before it was replaced by the 599 Fiorano in 2006. Without doubt one of the most useable exotics built in recent years, the 575M remains a beautifully crafted, amazingly tractable missile that is fast becoming one of the most collectible Ferraris of the modern era, with values rising sharply over the past few years.