Ferrari's Practical New Model

07/25/96

With a price tag of $219,000 and a top speed of 200 mile per hour, you may be hard put to think of Ferrari's newest model as practical. Nonetheless, practical is how Ferrari describes of their roomy new sports coupe. Ferrari's new 550 Maranello has debuted in Europe; the TestaRossa's replacement, the new model comes with a 12 cylinder, 485 hp powerplant that will propel the car from a standstill to just over 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds. Additionally, with the engine under the hood in front, the Maranello has enough room for luggage in the boot.

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo said, "We needed more than just another 'show off' car or one for collectors that sits in a garage. I wanted a car you can use every day."

"I needed a car with room, a car you do not feel exhausted after driving. We wanted a car that was easier to drive and use than in the past, but one that still provokes exciting driving," he continued.

It took a team of Ferrari employees 30 months to move the car, which is named after Ferrari's hometown, from the drawing board to a finished product. The company expects to close 1996 with sales up 5 percent over the 1995 level of 3,307 cars (18 percent over 1994).

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel