978-1-4222-3279-8

550 First introduced at the Nürburgring in 1996, the Pininfarina-designed front-engined 550 was Ferrari’s answer to a powerful V12 coupe, with a top speed of 200 mph, utilizing 480 bhp. With a 5.5L engine and six-speed manual gearbox, this new aerodynamic design was built as a high- performance production vehicle. The 550 Maranello obtained critical acclaim when it established new records for a production car during speed tests carried out in Marysville, Ohio, in October 1998, when it was recorded as having an average speed of 188.88 mph over a distance of 62 miles. The construction of the rear-wheel driven 550 boasted a steel tubular frame with

aluminum panels that were bolted on in order to support its sturdiness and rugged visual aesthetic. In 2000 the Barchetta design was unleashed at the Paris Motor Show. The Barchetta, simply being the convertible option of the 550, was manufactured without a hard top, but with a soft top that was issued with an advisory caution that it should not be used above speeds of 70 mph. The 550 was a faster and more practical sports car than its predecessor, the F512 M.

Produced

1996-2001

Engine Size Cylinders 0-60 mph Top Speed

5474 cc

12

4.6 secs

200 mph Power Output 480 bhp Transmission Manual Gears 6 Speed Length

179.3 in (4554 mm) 76.2 in (1935 mm) 50.3 in (1278 mm) 3730 lb (1692 kg) 98.4 in (2500 mm)

Width Height Weight

Wheelbase

(Specifications refer to the 550 base model)

43