Manufacturer Ferrari Class Grand tourer (S) | Production 2002–2006 Body style 2-door berlinetta | |
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Designer Lorenzo Ramciotti at Pininfarina Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive | ||
The Ferrari 575M Maranello is a two-seat, two-door, grand tourer built by Ferrari. Launched in 2002, it is essentially an updated 550 Maranello featuring minor styling changes from Pininfarina. The 575M was replaced by the 599 GTB in the first half of 2006.
Contents
Updates from the 550 included a renewed interior, but with substantial improvements mechanically, 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 were available, a conventional manual gearbox and, for the first time on a Ferrari V12, Magneti Marelli's semi-automatic (Electrohydraulic manual) 'F1' gearbox. The model number refers to total engine displacement in litres, whilst the 'M' is an abbreviation of modificato ("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; 508 hp) to 540 PS (397 kW; 533 hp).
2056 575M's were produced.
Engine
Performance
All figures for F1 gearbox (+0,05 second for manual gearbox)
Dimensions
GTC handling package
The GTC package included Ferrari's fourth Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) composite ceramic composite brake system, made 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 were based on the company's Formula One technology. They used 15.7 in discs with six-piston calipers in front and 14.2 in discs with four-piston calipers in the rear.
Superamerica
Introduced in 2005, the Ferrari 575M Superamerica was a convertible version of the 575M Maranello; it featured an electrochromic glass panel roof which rotated 180° (both are production car firsts) at the rear to lie flat over the boot. Patented Revocromico roof incorporates carbon fibre structure that is hinged on the single axis with a luggage compartment lid, allowing the access to the latter even with an open roof. With the roof open the rear window, apart for holding the third stop light, also acts as a wind deflector. This roof design was previously used on 2001-designed Vola by Leonardo Fioravanti. The Superamerica used the higher-output tune of the V-12 engine, F133 G, rated at 533 hp (397 kW; 540 PS) and Ferrari marketed it as the world's fastest convertible, with a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h). The GTC handling package was optional.
A total of 559 Superamericas were built; this number followed Enzo Ferrari's philosophy that there should always be one fewer car available than what the market demanded.
575 GTZ
A special 575M was built by Zagato for Japanese Ferrari collector Yoshiyuki Hayashi, and announced at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Designed to recall the 250 GT Berlinetta 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. In total six were built.
Motorsports
In 2003, Ferrari announced the sale of several 575M-based racing cars, known as the 575 GTC (not to be confused with the 575M 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 single 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.