The name of the new 575 M Maranello provides the clearest indication of this car's most characteristic feature

The key to the name lies in the engine which has grown from the 5,500 cc of the 550 Maranello to around 5,750 cc with a subsequent increase in power and torque.

The 'M' suffix is short for 'modificato' (modified) and underlines how all areas of the outgoing model's specifications have come in for a substantial rethink. Not least of which, for the first time in a road-going Ferrari V1Z, the use of an Fl-style gear change.

One area that was left pretty much alone was the car's styling. The balanced lines and sober design that have made the Maranello something of an instant classic among Ferraristi have been left untouched.

Immediately apparent are the attractive new 18" wheels (special 19" split rims are an optional extra), the shape and size of the front air intakes have been optimised to increase the flow of cooling air to the more powerful engine, and there's a new, full-width front spoiler design to improve down force. To offset the increased airflow through the engine bay, Pininfarina worked on the car's under body to help reduce the car's drag and, at the same time, increase down force. Similarly, on the basis of recent research, Ferrari's engineers have introduced special fairings inside the wheel arches to reduce drag around the wheels without compromising down force.

The 65º V1Z retains the same twin overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder layout, with crankcase, cylinder heads and sump all in lightweight aluminium.

With the new 5,748 cc version of the V12, Ferrari set out to improve both power and torque across the rev range, with a resulting increase in power to 515 bhp (379 Kw) at 7,250 rpm, and in torque to 60 kgm at 5,250 rpm.

As far as the chassis is concerned, a major improvement in the car's handling has been accomplished by introducing adaptive damping, with six sensors independently reading body and wheel acceleration. The system automatically adjusts the damper response according to the following parameters:

- Comfort: with a ride comfort-biased setting.
- Sport: optimised for press-on driving and improved grip.

The already excellent braking system of the 550 Maranello has been further improved to meet the 575M Maranello's higher performance levels and a sensor enables the driver to check tyre pressures in normal day-to-day driving.

The interior of the 575M Maranello has been completely redesigned to give the cockpit a more sporting, functional and dynamic ambient in keeping with the car's  greater performance, and to increase the efficiency of the driving position.

The main dials are now all in one single group in the driver's direct line of sight with the rev counter in the centre. The new seats feature six-way power adjustment with a memory on the driver's side.

In keeping with Ferrari practice, the 575M Maranello can be personalised to taste thanks to the wide range of options available from the Carrozzeria Scaglietti programme which, along with a selection of exterior and interior colours and materials, and equipment such as sat-nav, also offers track-oriented options.