1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello pictures and wallpaper 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello pictures and wallpaper 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello pictures and wallpaper 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello pictures and wallpaper
1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello pictures and wallpaper 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello pictures and wallpaper 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello pictures and wallpaper 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello pictures and wallpaper
1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello pictures and wallpaper 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello pictures and wallpaper

The 550 Maranello is Ferrari's interpretation of a 21st Century 12-cylinder front-engined sports berlinetta.
Technicians were given a particularly demanding brief: design and build a car able to meet the needs of Ferrari customers seeking sensual driving and exciting performance without foregoing driveability or comfort. Ferrari customers are attracted by state-of-the-art technical solutions from a company which has always treated design as an aesthetic response to the demand for performance, and has always built its cars with sophisticated craftsmanship.

The 550 Maranello provides superb response to every dynamic requirement, exceptional quality of life on board, and styling efficiency that combines an extremely modern concept with the best of Ferrari tradition. In short, it is the finest two-person GT car available today.

Design

Pininfarina designed the 550 Maranello with features that announce this return to the classic front-engined berlinetta as a great sports car. By adopting sober, functional cues consistent with today's tastes and requirements, Pinifarina's bold understatement respects Ferrari's styling traditions.

The 550 Maranello is styled to be fast and sinuous, its dihedrons stretching the soft surfaces of the sheet metal, creating strong impressions from every angle. The lines are clean and functional, not smoothed or tapered: the car's physical presence underlines its performance.

Fine pillars make the unusually high roofline less visually obvious and stress the importance of the car's body. The optical center of gravity is also lowered by original elements such as the shallow, narrow air intake whose complex shape creates an aggressive interplay between auxiliary lights. The Maranello is the first Ferrari designed with visible, integrated front light clusters, themselves further highlighted by the engine's functional air scoop that links this car to its heritage.

Typically Ferrari, the side aspect shows forceful dynamism in the relationship between the long bonnet, small rear cabin, and smooth link with the high tail. Similarly, two outlets for engine bay air in the front fender reference the classic front-engined berlinettas. The rear is simple and powerful: it is higher in the middle where it links to the roof with a small spoiler. The double round lights are characteristic Ferrari design.

Drivetrain

The 550 Maranello engine is a 5.5 liter, 518lb unit with 12 cylinders in a 65° V, that delivers almost all its torque from 3000rpm. Maximum power is 485bhp at 7000rpm, peak torque is 419lb-ft at 5000rpm, compression ratio is 10.8:1, all controlled by a Bosch Motronic M5.2 management system. The cylinder block, head, and oil sump are light alloy. The damp press-fitted aluminum cylinder liners are of Nikasil. The crankshaft is supported by seven journals on anti-friction bearings. The con rods are light titanium alloy allowing counter-weighting of the crankshaft to be lightened, improving response and balance. The Mahle-forged aluminum alloy pistons enhance thermodynamic efficiency. Lubrication is by a cooled dry sump system. The four-valve per cylinder head is fitted with hydraulic tappets. This system helps to curb emissions, makes periodic adjustment almost unnecessary, and guarantees consistent engine performance.

Intake

Ferrari developed a torque- and power-enhancing variable geometry intake for the 550 Maranello's engine. The Ferrari patented system alters the fluodynamics of the intake system through a third chamber linked to the manifold by 12 throttle valves with electropneumatic control. The additional chamber shapes air flow to enhance power and efficiency. The intake, like the injection and ignition systems, is managed by a Bosch Motronic 5.2 system for each row of cylinders, linked by a high speed serial line.

Exhaust

The Maranello's insulated stainless steel exhaust system employs variable back pressure through bypass valves situated on the rear silencers. The bypass valves are electropneumatically actuated by the engine management system, based on engine speed and throttle opening. Varying back pressure makes it possible to optimize engine efficiency in various conditions. Greater back pressure allows higher torque under average load, while lower back pressure enhances full load engine efficiency.

Transmission

For optimal weight distribution the 550 Maranello employs a transaxle system with integrated gearbox and differential. Drive is transmitted by the clutch to the gearbox through a three-bearing propeller shaft housed in a rigid steel tube linking the engine and the gearbox. The hydraulic single-plate dry clutch is flywheel-mounted. The gearbox has six dual-cone synchronized speeds, plus reverse, with pressurized and cooled lubrication. Gearbox control is the classic Ferrari type with an aluminum knob, lever and grooved selector; commands are transmitted by a rigid shift.

Source - Ferrari

Photos grouped by event

Le Belle Macchine d'Italia

Cavallino Classic Concorso d'Eleganza

2006 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic XV Concours

2004 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello

Year1997
MakeFerrari
Model550 Maranello
Engine LocationFront
Drive TypeRear Wheel
Production Years for Series1996 - 2001
Price$258,000.00
Weight1754 kg | 3867.6 lbs

Chassis / Engine Numbers Shown
Chassis Number108523
Chassis NumberZFF2549A9V0109702

Performance
0-60 mph4.5 seconds.
1/4 Mile12.6 seconds.
Top Speed200 mph | 321.8 km/h Similar top speeds

Engine  
Engine ConfigurationV
Cylinders12
Aspiration/InductionNormal
Displacement5474.00 cc | 334 cu in. | 5.5 L.
Valves48 valves.
4 valves per cylinder.
ValvetrainDOHC
Horsepower485.00 HP (357 KW) @ 7000.00 RPM
Torque569.00 NM (419.5 Ft-Lbs) @ 5000.00 RPM
HP to Weight Ratio8.0 LB / HP (Vehicles with similar ratio)
HP / Liter88.2 BHP / Liter
Compression Ratio10.8:1
Vehicles with similar horsepower and weight

Transmission Information
Gears6
TransmissionManual


 
View Specifications
Similar Automakers
Add Review
Other models by Ferrari
AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Related Articles and Event Coverage
Le Belle Macchine d'Italia
Cavallino Classic Concorso d'Eleganza
2006 Palm Beach Cavallino Classic XV Concours
2004 Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix

1997 Ferrari models
310B F1
355 GTS
456 GT
F333 SP
F50

Other Model Years
2002 550 Maranello
2001 550 Maranello
2000 550 Maranello
1999 550 Maranello
1998 550 Maranello
1996 550 Maranello
Vehicle Spotlight
Kicherer CL 60 CoupeAll-New Mazda3 Sedan to Debut at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto ShowFord Ka Tattoo
Ford Ka Digital ArtFord Ka Grand PrixPininfarina B0 Concept
Ford Kuga Show CarVenturi Volage ConceptNissan Nuvu EV Concept
Audi A1 Sportback ConceptRenault Megane TrophyRenault Z.E. Concept
Renault Mégane CoupéBMW X1 Concept2009 Lotus Exige Cup 260
Lamborghini Estoque ConceptPeugeot Prologue ConceptSpyker C8 Laviolette LM85
Peugeot 908 HYCitroen Hypnos Hybrid ConceptRenault Ondelios Concept
Chevrolet Orlando ConceptMazda Kiyora ConceptMazda Kazamai Concept