Ferrari 575M Maranello

The Ferrari 575 M Maranello is a two-seat, two-door, grand tourer sports car built by Ferrari. Launched in 2002, it is essentially an updated 550 Maranello featuring minor styling changes from Pininfarina. The 575 M was replaced by the 599 GTB in the first semester of 2006.

Updates from the 550 include a renewed interior, but with substantial improvements inside, including bigger brake discs, a larger and more powerful engine, a different weight distribution, refined aerodynamics and fluid-dynamics and an adaptive suspension set-up (the four independent suspensions are also controlled by the gearbox, to minimize pitch throughout the 200-milliseconds shift time). Two six-speed transmissions are available, a conventional manual gearbox and, for the first time on a Ferrari V12, Magneti Marelli's semi-automatic (Sequential manual transmission) 'F1' gearbox. The model number refers to total engine displacement in litres, whilst the 'M' is an abbreviation of 'modificato' or 'modified'.

For 2005, the company developed a new GTC handling package and Superamerica version (a limited run of 559 Retractable hardtop variants of the coupe), along with raising the power from 515 PS (379 kW) to 540 PS (397 kW). A base-model 575 M Maranello costs US$224,640.

pecifications

Engine

*Configuration: 65° V12
*Displacement: 5.7 L (5748 cc/350 in³)
*Maximum power: 540 PS (379 kW) at 7,250 rpm 508 horsepower
*Maximum torque: 588.6 N·m (434 ft·lbf) at 5,250 rpm

Performance

*Maximum speed: 327 km/h (203 mph)
*0 to 100 km/h: 4.2 seconds - 0 to 62 mph 4.3
*0-400 m: 12.25 seconds - 0 to 1/4 mile in 12.25 seconds
*0-1,000 m: 21.9 secondsAll figures are for the semi-automatic gearbox.

Dimensions

*Overall length: 4,550 mm (179.13 in)
*Overall width: 1,930 mm (76.18 in)
*Height: 1,280 mm (50.27 in)
*Wheelbase: 2,500 mm (98.43 in)
*Front track: 1,632 mm (64.25 in)
*Rear track: 1,637 mm (62.44 in)
*Curb weight: 1730 kg (3,815 lb)
*Fuel capacity: 105 L (27.7 US gal)

GTC handling package

The GTC package includes Ferrari's fourth ceramic composite brake system by Brembo (the first 3 being featured on the Challenge Stradale, F430 and Enzo) as well as a more performance-tuned suspension system, low-restriction exhaust system, and unique 19 inch wheels. The new brakes are based on the company's Formula One technology. They use 15.7 in discs with six-piston calipers in front and 14.2 in discs with four-piston calipers in the rear. The package is priced at US$23,500.

uperamerica

The Ferrari 575 M Superamerica was an innovative convertible version of the 575 M Maranello; it featured an electrochromic glass panel roof which rotated 180° (both are production car firsts) at the rear to lay flat over the boot. The Superamerica used the higher-output tune of the V-12 engine, rated at Convert|540|hp|kW|0|abbr=on and Ferrari marketed it as the world's fastest convertible, with a top speed of convert|199|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on. The GTC handling package was optional.

A total of 559 Superamericas were built; this awkward number followed Enzo Ferrari's philosophy that there should always be one fewer car available than what the market is demanding.

=575 GTZ= A one-off special 575 M was built by Zagato for Japanese Ferrari collector, Yoshiyuki Hayashi and announced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. [cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=110012|title=Hey Jealousy: Japanese Collector Nabs Zagato Ferrari Special|work=Edmunds.com|accessmonthday=April 14 |accessyear=2006] Designed to recall the 250 GTZ (or 250 GT Zagato) and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 250 range, the GTZ was officially endorsed by Ferrari and includes Zagato's trademark double-bubble roofline and two-tone paint.

Motorsports

In 2003, Ferrari announced the sale of several 575 M-based racing cars, known as the 575-GTC (not to be confused with the "575 M GTC Handling Package"). Following the success of Prodrive in running the Ferrari 550, Ferrari wished to offer their own racing car to customers. Used primarily in the FIA GT Championship, the 575-GTCs managed to take a lone win in their first season, followed by another lone win in 2004. Unfortunately the 575-GTCs were not as capable as the Prodrive-built 550-GTSs, and would fall from use by the end of 2005.

References