Race ready? Well, the new updated engine might not be as powerful as that in the marque's F550 ALMS GT1 upstart, but its 515-hp engine is definitely up to the task of obliterating most street vehicles. The new V12 has been pumped up with an additional 250 cc's of displacement to 5,748, while bore and stroke now measure 89 and 77 mm respectively. But the added power isn't all about displacement. A new crankshaft joins new Mahle forged aluminum pistons that are now set in new steel liners. Its compression ratio is up too, from 10.8:1 to 11:1, assisting the newly tuned exhaust cams and all-new Bosch Motronic fuel injection system. Peak power arrives at a lofty 7,250 rpm while maximum torque, a solid 434 lb-ft, comes at a much tractable 5,250 rpm.
While the 550 was only available with a 6-speed manual, the 575M gets an F1 derived paddle-shift actuated transmission, just like its little 360 Modena brother. The rear-mounted sequential shifting manual transaxle comprises six forward speeds and reverse, the latter which can be activated by a console mounted controller. Its rear placement helps balance weight distribution and keeps the housing cooler than it would if next to the engine.
The actual shifting process involves a host of solenoids prodding actuators within two separate hydraulic systems. The power sent to the solenoids comes from an electric pump and pressure accumulator. Obviously Ferrari engineers beefed up the system to handle the added power and torque of the larger, more powerful V12.