Motoring Editor MALCOLM BAYLIS takes a look at the new Ferrari Marenello

THERE is much to be written about Ferrari's new car, the 575M Maranello. Not surprising when it will cost at least £154,350 to buy here. But for the price, the lucky buyer will get a car packed with hi-tech equipment and driver and passenger comforts.

This latest Maranello, a car generally considered to be one of the marque's most popular models, will also be available with Formula One technology, namely the same gearchange as used by Michael Schumacher, the Ferrari F1 champion, fitted to a road-going Ferrari V12 for the first time, which boosts the price to £160,845.

As with all Ferraris, the heart of the new car is its engine. In this case, the figures 575 is the abbreviation of its effective displacement, which has been increased to around 5,750cc.

The name 575M 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 F1 gearchange.

Styling of this latest Maranello is down to Ferrari's long-time creative partner Pininfarina. However, the design that made the 550 Maranello an instant classic, has been left largely untouched.

There are some modifications, subtle mostly, and designed to meet specific technical requirements, such as the shape and size of the front air intakes, increased to allow more cool air to reach the powerful engine. There is also a new, full-width front spoiler design which improves downforce, while the redesigned xenon headlights, with body-colour surrounds, and the wheels, provide a much sportier look.

The 12-cylinder engine retains 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.

Overall, the engine produces more power and torque right across the rev range: maximum power to 515bhp (379 kW) at 7,250rpm, and maximum torque to 435lb/ft (589 Nm) at 5,250rpm. Overall, torque is up 11lb/ft between 1,000 and 4,000rpm compared to the 550 Maranello.

A new six-speed gearbox provides quicker manual gearshifts during more sporty driving, while the F1 gearchange controlled by two paddles on the steering wheel is faster than a traditional gearbox and can be used while accelerating.

The system also allows for a sportier or more comfortable ride, Sport or Regular, using a button on the console.

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).

Top speed of the car is 202mph, with the manual version capable of the 0-62mph dash in 4.25-seconds with the F1 gearshift model taking 4.2-seconds.

If you buy and drive a Ferrari Maranello economy is of little concern, but expect to get around 8.20mpg around town, with the combined figure 12.97mpg.

One major improvement in the 575M's handling has come about through a new high performance adaptive damping system, which through six sensors independently reads body and suspension movements and instantly passing on the information to the engine control unit.

The system can "read" the type of road surface the car is travelling over (uneven, smooth, dirt) and instantly adapt the suspension for improved in-car comfort.

The braking system is all-powerful to meet the car's performance levels, with improved air ducting and air flow to the front brakes, as well as a new brake pad material. Also there are quicker braking times, especially in panic stop situations.

Anti-lock braking and braking sensors have also been boosted, and Ferrari's two traction control modes (Normal and Sport) have been kept.

The 575M also has a sensor that enables the driver to check tyre pressures in normal day-to-day driving, courtesy of a dial on the console.

Body and interior details have been completely redesigned, with particular attention paid to protecting passengers from side impacts, using high resistance materials, thicker section sills, and a special door structure, including strengthened locks and hinges.

The car's bucket seats also offer protection against side penetration, as well as keeping body roll and movement to a minimum. Seats have six-way power adjustment.

Other safety features include two front airbags, seat belt pre-tensioners and a safety inertia switch, which is designed to cut off the fuel supply in the event of a collision.

While still remaining faithful to the original 550 Maranello concept of in-car comfort, the interior has been completely redesigned to give it a more sporting feel.

The main dials are now in one single group in the driver's direct sight line with the large metal-ringed rev counter taking pride of place in the centre. There is also the 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.

For those familiar with the 575 Maranello, there are other redesign features on the latest model: for example fuel tank cap and boot poppers have been moved to a new position, functional new rubber inserts have been added on the rear luggage compartment for improved luggage grip and new seat belt fasteners spread the load surface.

Finally, the 575M can be personalised to taste. Thanks to the wide range of options, owners can modify the style and kit of their car to suit themselves, even to having the car's interior trim dyed to suit their own taste, personalised stitching, featuring contrasting colours, different thicknesses and stitch sizes, also possible.

All you need now is the cash!

Updated: 10:58 Friday, August 02, 2002