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Ferrari Cars ›› Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer ›› Suspension
Ferrari Berlinetta Boxer Suspension
A by-product of Ferrari's desire to perfect its first attempt at a Flat-12 mid-engined road car was a firm intention that the car would hold the road within the limits of the average driver. For this reason the chassis was provided with a superb and perhaps overbuilt suspension. Under no circumstances was an average driver to be taken by surprise with a sudden, rapid oversteer. For all its power, the Boxer was a benign handler.
On each side, the front suspension was the classic Ferrari design built from a coil spring over a shock absorber located by dual A-arms of unequal-length. At the rear, the dual unequal-length A-arms located twin coil springs over twin shock absorbers by Koni or Miletto, one fore and one aft of the driveshaft's center line. This unusual arrangement functioned so well in keeping the Boxer in optimum contact with the road surface that it was modified for use in a variety of subsequent Ferraris. To further enhance the stability, tuneability, and cornering power of the suspension, anti-rollbars are attached at the front and rear. Aside from minor retuning for the 512 BB and 512 BBi, the suspension was identical on all Boxers.
The Boxer was stopped by vented disc brakes at all four wheels. The brakes were power-assisted, with a dual fail-safe system to ensure complete and even operation at all times. Stopping power was provided by 11.3" front rotors and 11.6" rear rotors.
As befits Ferrari's most prestigious car, the steering was extremely accurate, thanks to an unassisted rack and pinion system.
The Boxer was amongst the first cars to wear Ferrari's now standard five-spoke alloy wheels. Each one-piece casting was fixed to its hub by five bolts. The 365 GT4/BB carried Cromodora 15"X7"L wheels with Michelin XWX 215VR70 tires. Reflecting the change in weight distribution, the 512 BB and 512 BBi were given larger wheels and tires at the rear. These later models carried Cromodora 15"X7.5"L wheels at the front, with 215VR70 XWX tires. At the rear were Cromodora 15"X9"Ls with 225VR70 XWXs. Optionally, some 512 BBis were sold with Michelin TRX 240VR55 tires, necessitating special wheels of metric size.
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