General data  
Year/s of production 1996 – 2001
Presentation Ferrari Racing Days Nürburgring, 21 July 1996
S/N 104982: Driven by Giancarlo Fisichella
S/N 105096: Driven by Michael Schumacher
S/N 105954: Driven by Niki Lauda
VIN span 99928 – 126807
Number produced Approx. 3600
Design Pininfarina
Manufactured by Ferrari S.p.A.
   
Technical specifications  
Chassis F 133 – Tubular steel frame with high tensile welded steel tubes – bodywork welded on frame Torsional rigidity: 1500 kgm/degrees Flexional rigidity: 800 kg/mm
Length 4550 mm
Width 1935 mm
Height 1277 mm
Wheelbase 2500 mm
Front suspension Independent wheel suspension, with transverse parallelogram structure and triangular arms, electronically controlled aluminium gas dampers with coaxial coil springs and anti-roll bar, antidive effect when braking
Rear suspension Independent wheel suspension, with transverse parallelogram structure and triangular arms, aluminium gas dampers with coaxial coil springs and anti-roll bar
Front track 1632 mm
Rear track 1586 mm
Front tyres 8,5 x 18 in., Speedline monolithic magnesium alloy wheels – 5 spokes design Tyres: Bridgestone Expedia S02, Good Year Eagle GS Fiorano, Pirelli P Zero 255/40 ZR 18 or Michelin MXX 3 235/45 ZR 18
Rear tyres 10,5 x 18 in., Speedline light alloy wheels – 5 spokes design Tyres: Bridgestone Expedia S02, Good Year Eagle GS Fiorano, Pirelli P Zero or Michelin MXX 3 295/35 ZR 18
Front brakes Brembo ventilated and drilled disc brakes, fixed calliper in aluminium alloy, with differentiated diameters 38 and 46 mm, brake pads with ITT Galfer 3321 GF friction materials, 330 x 32 mm, four-channel ABS incorporating electronic brake effort proportioning
Rear brakes Brembo ventilated and drilled disc brakes, fixed calliper in aluminium alloy, with differentiated diameters 30 and 34 mm, brake pads with ITT Galfer 3321 GF friction materials, 310 x 28 mm
Weight 1690 kg
Body material Aluminium
Body type Berlinetta – two seats
   
Engine  
Type F133 – front engine
Number of cylinders V12 – 65°
Displacement 5474 ccm
Bore and stroke 88 x 75 mm
Camshaft 2 overhead per cylinder bank
Valves 4 per cylinder Variable geometry intake: The system, patented by Ferrari, comprises a thrid capacity added to the intake manifold, which alters its fluodynamic characteristics. The third capacity is linked to the manifold by 12 throttle valves with electropneumatic servo control, driven by the engine management control units.
Compression ratio 10,8:1
Ignition Bosch Motronic M 5.2
Lubrication Dry sump lubrication with two recovery pumps and one input pump, double filter, separate tank and special radiator, approx. 10 litres oil – Shell
Maximum power 485 hp – 7.000 rpm 387 kW
Maximum torque 568,5 Nm – 5.000 rpm
Fuel management Bosch Motronic M 5.2 with combined injection and static ignition
Engine weight 235 kg
Gearbox 6 gears + rev. 40% limited slip differential, in transaxle construction, ASR
Steering ZF rack and pinion steering system with Servotronic speed-sensitive power steering device Direct steering ratio: 13,8:1 Turning circle: 11,6 m
   
Performance  
0-100 km/h 4,4 sec.
0-400 m 12,5 sec.
0-1000 m 22,5 sec.
Top speed Approx. 320 km/h
Frankfurt Motor Show
Copyright: Ferrari

Frankfurt, 09.09.1997 – At the 57th Frankfurt International Motor Show Ferrari presents two new developments that are designed to meet the requirements of its particular clientèle: the 355F1 that adopts Formula 1-type power train management and the “custom-tailoring” programme from ” Carrozzeria Scaglietti”. The 355F1 with F1-type power train management The first constructor to adopt an electrohydraulic clutch controlled from the steering wheel (on Nigel Mansell’s 1989 F1 car), Ferrari again leads the field in applying this major innovation to a road model. The application of this innovative engine management system to a road car revolutionises the whole clutch-gearbox concept to an extent that goes far beyond the simple physical shifting of a lever. As on the Gran Prix car, the new electrohydraulic clutch-gearbox system has its controls set on the steering column which means that the driver’s hands no longer need to leave the wheel during a gearshift. This makes for much faster and simpler gearshifts than the traditional system as well as far greater precision and driving focus. The F1 type gearbox developed by Ferrari has been applied to a mechanical gearbox-clutch assembly and has nothing in common to the system involving a torque converter that have been applied to automatic transmission systems. The unique Ferrari trasmission makes for significantly enhanced mechanical efficiency in friction terms and offers the driver total control over all gearshift operations. In addition, the flexibility of the system made it possible to develop software offering four different gearshift programmes to meet the driver’s various needs in terms of gearshift speed, comfort, ease and safety on treacherous surfaces like snow or ice. The 355F1 offers further confirmation of the importance Ferrari assigns to racing in its development of new engineering features for its road cars. The “tailor-made” programme by Carrozzeria Scaglietti The Carrozzeria Scaglietti personalisation programme was developed by Ferrari in order to offer its customers a chance to create a car to suit their own individual tastes and needs. The Scaglietti kit system is a way of making each car that comes off the Maranello lines truly unique. The items can be applied to any car in the current Ferrari range (the F355, the F550 Maranello, the 456 GT/GTA) to give each one the look and the functional characteristics desired by the individual owner. All these items meet standard homologation requirements and are of traditional “Carrozzeria Scaglietti” quality. The series of options created were designed to offer the Ferrari owner various ways of customising his car’s performance for racing purposes (drilled brake discs homologated for the F355, special ride set-ups for the F355 and 550 Maranello, 4-point seat-belts, homologated for road use, racing seats) or its looks (colour sampler for the bodywork, coloured brake calipers, carbon cabin trim, removable carbon roof, Challenge type rear grille for the F355, various upholstery and trim options) or indeed its dedicated equipment (luggage made to measure for each of the models, a golf bag for the rear bench of the 550 Maranello, a pesonalised car phone). There is even a special car-care line (a series of products designed to help maintain a Ferrari ). From early October every Ferrari dealer and importer will be able to present the Carrozzeria Scaglietti programme to customers. Every customer request be analysed for technical feasibility as well as compliance with Ferrari quality standards. Ferrari owners will even have access to a special ” Carrozzeria Scaglietti “Workshop at Maranello that will be equipped to carry out their personalisation requests. Staff will also be on hand to show off all the options available and assess each and every personal request. The Ferrari stand at the Frankfurt Show will display the first three personalised Ferraris created for three celebrity owners: Sergio Pininfarina’s 456 GTA, Michael Schumacher’s 550 Maranello and Paul Cayard’s F355 GTS. Buoyant performance in the first half of 1997 Following reassuring results in 1996, Ferrari sales continued to be buoyant in the first six months of 1997. In this most recent period 1,947 cars were delivered to their new owners, a 6.6% improvement on the first half of 1996. In particular, the German market produced a 6.5% upturn, confirming its position as a major Ferrari market, second only to the USA in importance. The boom in the Far East and the Pacific Rim area continued with sales 16% up on the first half of 1996. Meanwhile the North American market grew by 4.4% and now accounts for 22% of all Ferrari sales. Faced with this buoyant market, Ferrari has no intention of changing its output policy considering 3,200-3,500 units a year the ideal production volume for its organisation. With an output of this size it is possible to guarantee the highest quality standards , as well as meeting the customer’s every need. As the following report on Ferrari Deutschland will confirm, customer relations and the satisfaction of every single customer remain absolute priorities. Ferrari in Germany Set up in November 1988, Ferrari Deutschland handles all Ferrari operations in Germany and the Czech Republic, which also boasts an independent Ferrari dealer. The primary tasks of the German branch include: o the distribution of cars to Ferrari dealers in Germany; o the supply of services and back-up to Ferrari dealers in their sales, maintenance and spare parts operations; o service to customers through the organisation and running of special events for Ferrari owners. The Ferrari Deutschland offices in Stielstrasse, Wiesbaden handle logistic and administrative affairs as well as marketing and technical assistance to German Ferrari dealers in the form of technical training courses and spare parts supplies. The German market The German market is uniquely important to Ferrari since it absorbs about 17% of the company’s production, making it the world’s biggest Ferrari market outside the United States. Currently, 70% of German Ferrari owners opt for an 8-cylinder, 30% for a 12-cylinder model. In 1996, 580 Ferraris were registered in Germany, up 1.5% on the previous year. At present there are some 5,500 Ferrari’s of all ages on the roads of Germany, about a third of them collector’s items over 20 years old. It also goes to demonstrate the passion for Ferrari that is underlined by the large number of German collectors, some of whom even own Formula 1 cars. The Ferrari organisation in Germany There are 24 Ferrari dealers in Germany, 9 of them representing Ferrari alone. What the German Ferrari owners get from their dealers goes beyond advice and superbly competent technical assistance. They also encounter a team of enthusiasts, passionate sports car fans who put their heart and soul into their work. These dealers serve the entire Federal Republic except for the Eastern part only recently admitted to the Federation that will be getting their own Ferrari dealers in the future.

The Expedition Cape Horn
Copyright: Ferrari

Maranello, 22 April 1999 – In an attempt to take the first Ferrari ever to the southern most point of South America, a 550 Maranello will leave Buenos Aires on Monday 26th April 1998 to complete an epic 4000 kms journey in just 10 days. The 12-cylinder 550 Maranello is an example of yet another Ferrari to win a place in the automotive history books, when in October last year an entirely standard car smashed three World Speed Records in Ohio USA . This time a different record will be achieved by the 550 Maranello when it becomes the first ever Ferrari to reach the Tierra del Fuego (the Argentine Fire Lands) at the southern tip of South America. Leaving from Buenos Aires the 550 Maranello will complete a 4000 kms journey that will encompass mountains, plain lands, valleys, and glaciers as well as different climates – before eventually arriving at the town of Ushuaia on May 5. It’s a journey that has never been completed by a Ferrari before. With support from Saima Avandero and Pirelli, this is the third extreme voyage undertaken by a Ferrari in recent years ‘ the first was with a Ferrari 512 M in 1995 to the Sahara Desert in North Africa, followed two years later by the spectacular F355 World Tour that visited some 29 countries in just under six months as it crossed the globe. For Expedition Cape Horn, the 550 Maranello will be driven by CAR Magazine journalist Richard Bremner, who in 1995 with Ferrari SpA was responsible for the dramatic journey with the 512M to the Sahara Desert. Bremner said: ‘The objective for us is to take a Ferrari to place where you would not expect to see such a car and to drive and photograph it in an unusual environment. It’s also to prove that a Ferrari can be driven anywhere that a modern car can be taken today The Tierra del Fuego is an ideal location as it’s somewhere that a lot of people have heard of but have never seen or visited. We hope this will become as memorable an event as our visit with a Ferrari to the Sahara.’

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