1996 — Nürburgring press launch
Ferrari launched the 550 Maranello to the press at the Nürburgring in 1996. The new two-seat flagship placed its 5.5-litre V12 at the front and used a rear transaxle, replacing the mid-engine F512 M.
Thesupermat — Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 4.0Automotive significance
The 550 Maranello ended a long period in which Ferrari’s highest-performance twelve-cylinder berlinettas had used a mid-engine layout. Ferrari’s engineering case was that modern chassis, suspension, aerodynamics and weight distribution could make a front-engine V12 car as dynamically capable while improving luggage space, visibility and everyday usability. The configuration would become central to Ferrari’s later V12 road cars.
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