Performance Review: Ferrari 550 Maranello - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ferrari 550 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ferrari 550 Maranello is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Ferrari 550 has a 5474cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V12's includes the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12

The 550 shares its Petrol V12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Coupe 6.5 V12 and the 2021 Aston-Martin Valkyrie Spider 6.5 V12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 550's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1716 kgs (3783 lbs) this makes the Ferrari 550 Maranello in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ferrari 550 shares the same bhp with the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp)

In terms of power the 5474cc 48V V12 engine produces 485 bhp (361 kW) @ 7000 rpm similar to the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V12 throws out 415 lb-ft (562.6 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo (429 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ferrari 550 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2020 Mercedes GT AMG Roadster 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (307.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ferrari 550.

The Ferrari 550 has a Power to weight ratio of 282.6 bhp per ton and 241.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 550 competing with the 2020 Mercedes GT AMG Roadster 4.0 V8 Bi Turbo (307.6 bhp per ton) or the 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo 991 (307.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ferrari 550 generating around 241.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1965 Jensen CV8 FF 6.3L V8 (266.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Porsche 911 Turbo 996 (266.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the Ferrari 550 Maranello as fast as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs). This Ferrari 550 Maranello is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 550 and the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion DSG 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Ferrari 550 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.42 secs @ 110.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion DSG 2.0 Turbo (12.38 secs), the 2016 Jaguar F-Pace 3.0 V6 Supercharged (12.38 secs), and the 2013 Porsche Panamera GTS 4.8 V8 (12.39 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Ferrari 550 Maranello has a maximum speed of 199mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 550 equals the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Ferrari 550 Maranello then how about the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph), the 2018 Lamborghini SC18 Alston 6.5 V8 (210 mph), or the 2017 Pagani Huayra Roadster 6.0 V12 (210 mph).

Related Links:

1997 550 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ferrari

Car Comparison