Ferrari 550 Maranello Suspension

Unsprung weight of the Maranello has been safely lightened to provide pinpoint steering and perfect control of the car in all conditions, especially in those necessitating excellent overall dynamic balance. The 550 Maranello has four wheel independent suspension with a transverse parallelogram structure and triangular arms, aluminum gas dampers with coaxial coil springs, and anti-roll bars front and rear.

The suspension incorporates a driver adjustable system to vary damper settings. An electronic control unit with four electric motors monitors each damper. Damping logic changes within each setting depending on speed, vertical acceleration, steering angle, throttle opening, and brake pressure. The same system controls car pitching during transitions. The front track is wider than the rear, improving turn-in, and the front axle is designed to ensure an anti-dive effect when braking.

Brakes:
A car's performance is determined not only by its acceleration and stability but also by the quality of its deceleration. Ferrari developed the braking system of the 550 Maranello with Brembo, applying methods from Formula 1 to the 4-piston calipers on 13" front and 12.2" rear rotors.

The enormous amount of energy exerted on the front axle when braking required a system with large, extra thick diameter drilled front discs and pads made of friction material that guarantees temperature independent high performance. Brembo employed recent Formula 1 experience to develop thermally insulated pistons for the front calipers, ensuring an acceptable brake fluid temperature in all conditions. The system is completed by four-channel ABS incorporating electronic proportioning offering ideal performance in deceleration above 0.5 g. Like all unsprung components the brake system was designed to be light.

ASR:
The 550 Maranello offers a unique driver-adjustable dynamic stability control system. Depending on the selected mode, the system intervenes by cutting off the torque delivered by the engine, or, coordinated by the ABS system, braking the two rear wheels independently. It is the first driver-controlled active anti-wheel spin system. The mode selection complements the suspension damping setting, giving the driver total control of the car's lateral and longitudinal dynamics.

Steering:
The ZF speed-sensitive rack and pinion steering system varies assistance in relation to speed.

Wheels:
The 550 Maranello rides on one-piece, cast magnesium alloy, five-spoke Speedline wheels reflecting Pininfarina's styling and Ferrari's technical specifications. These wheels pass stringent tests imposed by Ferrari and the German LBF Technical Institute. The front wheels measure 8.5 x 18" and the rear 10.5 x 18" as dictated by braking requirements. Each wheel is protected by a special anti-corrosion paint patented by Speedline. The 550 Maranello has homolgated four different types of tires, all produced specially for this car.