The ‘M’ Maranello not only links the new model to its predecessor, the 550 Maranello, it also stands for ‘modificata’ (Italian for modified), meaning that all-round performance has been improved, particularly by the introduction of the company’s legendary Ferrari F1 gearchange in a road-going Ferrari V12 for the first time.
The styling of the 575M Maranello was entrusted to Ferrari’s long-time creative partner Pininfarina. The balanced lines and sober design that made the 550 Maranello an "instant classic" when it first appeared, have been left largely untouched. The modifications made to the original forms are subtle and are designed to meet specific technical requirements. The shape and size of the front air intakes, for instance, have been optimized to increase the flow of cooling air to the more powerful engine and there’s a new, full-width front spoiler design which improves downforce. The new front section of the car incorporates redesigned headlights, with body-colour surrounds and grey detailing, featuring xenon technology bulbs for dipped beam, as standard. The wheels now also have a much sportier look more in line with the new car’s racier temperament.
The 575M Maranello’s 12-cylinder engine retains many of the most prestigious elements of this configuration. They include the 65 degree V12, four overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder layout, along with the crank case, cylinder heads and sump all in light alloy and a dry sump lubrication system. The 575M Maranello’s new V12 engine was designed to increase both power and torque right across the rev range, for even sportier power delivery, quicker response times in all conditions and improved driving pleasure. The result was an increase in maximum power to 515 bhp (384kW) at 7,250 rpm, and in maximum torque to 589 Nm at 5,250 rpm (435 lb ft).
The new car boasts a perfect weight distribution of 50 per cent over both front and rear axles with the driver on board. This occurs as a result of the rear Transaxle layout, with the gearbox in unit with the limited-slip differential and situated in the same casing as the bevel-type final drive. This is a six-speed gearbox with new multi-cone synchronisers. In fact, synchronisation has been completely reviewed and improved to guarantee quicker gearshifts during more assertive driving. In addition to manual shifting, the new 575M Maranello’s transmission also has the F1 gearchange, developed directly from the marque’s experience on the Formula 1 tracks. The F1 gearchange is an electro-hydraulic system controlled by two paddles on the steering wheel instead of the traditional gear stick and clutch pedal. The F1 system offers the following improvements over the traditional system:
· Shifting up and down through the gears is faster than with a traditional gearbox and the accelerator can also be fully depressed during shifts
· Drivers can select a gear without taking their hands off the steering wheel
· More comfortable control (no clutch pedal)
· Safer as it prevents driver error
· Protects against over-revving when going up and down gears.
The F1 gearchange is about much more than just improved performance, however. It is also part of an integrated driver control strategy on the car. The F1 transmission works in conjunction with the adaptive damping management and traction control, giving the driver the opportunity to select different performance parameters, for either a sportier or more comfortable ride, at the touch of a button. The driver has two main manual shift modes – Sport or ComfortRegular – to choose from, using a button on the console, and these are both integrated with similar corresponding suspension damping management and electronic traction control settings. The use of the F1-style gearchange in the 575M Maranello means faster shift times during more high performance driving (for example, up and down over 6,000 rpm). As a result, the F1 transmission also delivers better acceleration than the manual. In order to optimise acceleration when moving off quickly from a standstill, the 575M Maranello’s F1 gearchange has also been given a "launch control" mode. In addition to the manual mode, the F1 gearchange also offers two other complementary push-button modes: Automatic (fully automatic gear shifting), and Low Grip (to avoid wheel slippage when changing gears on low grip surfaces).
While still remaining faithful to the original 550 Maranello concept of in-car comfort and quality of life on board, the interior of the 575M Maranello has been completely redesigned to give it a more sporting, functional ambience. The main dials are now contained in one single group in the driver’s direct line of sight with the large metal-ringed rev counter taking pride of place in the centre. The console directly in front of the driver hosts the ancillary indicators, including the clock and tyre pressure gauge. The steering wheel is now slimmer and stripped down to its metal structure, while the horn buttons and F1 gearchange paddles are all in brushed aluminium.
In keeping with Ferrari practice, the 575M Maranello can be personalised to taste. Thanks to the wide range of options available from the Carrozzeria Scaglietti programme, owners can now extensively modify the style, kit and functionality of their car to suit their own preferences. They can also enhance the 575M Maranello’s racing spirit with track-oriented options, such as new carbon racing bucket seats, the Fiorano handling package and the use of carbon fibre details in the interior. The range of optional extras now also includes a powerful new eight-speaker stereo with four-channel 200 watt amplifiers and analogue signal processing and an efficient satellite navigation system.
The flexibility of the Carrozzeria Scaglietti programme means that Ferrari can now create customised colours from a sample supplied by the client. Every last upholstery detail in the cabin can also be dyed to suit individual requirements using a line-drawing of the interior as a guide. Personalised stitching, featuring contrasting colours, different thicknesses and stitch sizes, is also possible.