For a select group of enthusiasts, the only true sports car is a Ferrari. And for an even more select group, it’s only a true Ferrari if it’s powered by a V-12. What makes a V-12 Ferrari like this 575M Maranello so special? Is it the sound, the power, the feel? Well, why not join us behind the wheel and find out?

The 2004 Ferrari 575M Maranello is just the latest in a long line of 12-cylinder Ferraris that stretches back to the late 1940s, each one a superb example of the automaker’s art. Like the 550 before it, the 2004 575M is a striking front-engine long-hood coupe that takes the elements of a Grand Touring car to its styling and performance limits.

That aggression is reinforced by an exquisite 5.75-liter dual-overhead-cam 48-valve V-12 engine, which produces a stunning 515 horsepower and 435 pound-feet of torque. It’s a larger, heavily upgraded version of the previous 550’s 65-degree V-12, with new intake, pistons, cams and computer.

Its engine controls are linked to an F1 6-speed manual gearbox with an electric-hydraulic clutch. With no clutch pedal, shifts are lightningly quick through paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel. There are normal and sport shift modes. Prior to the 575M, the F1 system had not been used on a V-12 road car. The rear mounted unit gives the 575 a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. This trick gearbox also has an automatic mode for more leisurely driving, and an electronic reverse function. Power is put to the ground through a limited slip differential, and into our car’s special-order 19-inch split-rim alloy wheels with tire pressure sensors, wearing wide ZR-rated rubber.

Wheel movement is controlled by computerized suspension damping, with both sport and comfort settings. Put the hammer down, and this prancing horse gallops to 60 in only 4.1 seconds. The quarter mile flashes by in 12.5 seconds at 117 miles-per-hour. Power delivery is exhilarating, punching you into the seat from idle to redline. And the sound is that glorious roar that only a Ferrari V-12 can make.

While better than previous Ferrari F1 transmissions, up-shifts are still a bit harsh, with a noticeable delay between gears. The latest F1 system on the Enzo is considerably smoother.

Fortunately, when hammering through the turns of Georgia’s Roebling Road Raceway in our 575M, we could just ride the wave of torque. Down-shifts for tight corners are trouble free, with the computer seamlessly matching gears to engine speed.

In those corners, the 575 displays impressive balance and tons of grip. Even with all that power, anti-skid and traction control keep the tail in line. There is more body roll than its smaller stable-mates, even after switching the self-leveling suspension from Comfort to Sport. Still, the 3,815-pound 575M is one of the most predictable, forgiving chassis in Ferrari’s history.

The brakes are big discs all around, with the fronts measuring a full 13-inches. Stops averaged a rock solid 122 feet from 60, thanks to efficient ABS and grippy Ferodo pads. Braking from higher speeds was just as solid. Few cars get up to speed and back down again so quickly.

On public pavement, the soft suspension and highly flexible powertrain make the 575M effortless as a daily driver. From back roads to interstate, the 575 adapts without complaint.

But there’s still more to the 575M Maranello than just grace and speed. It also features the most inviting Ferrari cockpit that we’ve ever seen. Fit and finish are first rate, much better than the 550 we tested a few years ago. The dash layout is generally quite sensible, with a radio facing up from the console the only holdover of Ferrari’s once oddball ergonomics. Our test car’s seats are the optional carbon-shell racing design. It grips you like a hungry shark in fast corners, but delivers high levels of comfort and support, even on long drives.

If there’s space in your garage for a 575M, you probably already have guessed that it will clear out a sizable part of your bank account. Base price is a sky-high $234,639. With options, our test car carried a heart-stopping $243,872 window sticker.

The sound, the feel, the power, and the style are all like nothing else on the road. That’s what makes the 2004 Ferrari 575M Maranello such a blast, and why some very well-off enthusiasts feel that if it’s not a V-12 Ferrari, it’s just not a sports car.

Specifications

  • Engine: 5.75-Liter Dohc 48-valve V-12
  • Horsepower: 515
  • Torque: 435 Lb Feet
  • 0-60 MPH: 4.1 Seconds
  • 1/4 Mile: 12.5 Seconds @ 117 MPH
  • 60-0 MPH: 122 Feet